Holistic Homebirth Prenatal Care
Giving Birth in Bloomington
Let’s be very clear: prenatal care is the way a pregnant woman lives her life while pregnant. It is not the commodity we talk about, this thing caregivers dole out in 15 or 30-minute office appointments over the course of the pregnancy. In actuality, those regular visits are rapid screening designed to catch early signs of problems so that they can be addressed. In a low-risk pregnancy, how a woman eats, exercises, sleeps, and handles the stress in her life is probably going to have a greater impact on her than anything a caregiver imparts in a quick encounter.
Prenatal visits in my practice last an hour, take place in my client’s home, and primarily focus on those markers of well-being mentioned above. I am interested in hearing whatever is uppermost in my client’s mind, and in strategizing with her to improve any aspect of her well-being that needs it. Good nutrition, good movement to keep the body mobile and happy as it grows, effective relaxation techniques to improve sleep and counter stress are common topics. I have clients who seek a lot of guidance, and those who require very little. My goal is to be a good listener and a trusted resource. Troubleshooting the common discomforts of pregnancy, I will make recommendations as needed for bodywork, chiropractic care, yoga classes, counseling services, etc., if my own knowledge base isn’t adequate to meet my client’s needs. I commonly refer clients to a rich array of community resources such as Dancing for Birth during pregnancy, and La Leche League, Milk Matters, and Tummy Time during the postpartum.
Our visits take place on the traditional schedule, meaning every four weeks from the start of care until the 28th week of pregnancy (end of the second trimester), then every two weeks until 36 weeks, and then weekly until the birth. The standard clinical components are included – blood pressure, urinalysis, and the best part, listening for fetal heart tones, measuring the uterus, and, in late pregnancy, identifying the baby’s position. One of the joys of doing prenatals at home is having the rest of the family around for this. Late pregnancy prenatals naturally focus on keeping spirits strong and positive as the birth approaches.
The Final Weeks of Pregnancy
At 36-37 weeks, as the baby becomes mature enough to be born outside the hospital, we gather the entire birth team for an expanded prenatal we refer to as the home visit. My birth assistant, along with anyone you want to have with you in labor, all attend. We go over a number of practical matters, such as the location of your birth supplies, operation of your kitchen and laundry, and plans for other children during the birth. We document your informed decisions about particular birth and newborn procedures. Most important is the group conversation we have about roles at the birth and how we can best assist our client and her family through the labor. We make sure a good plan for ongoing postpartum support is in place. The home visit makes us all feel ready for the birth, whenever it should come. I am a very patient midwife, and encourage the development of patience in my clients. Healthy, well-nourished women tend to have longer pregnancies, and I am very comfortable going to the 42-week mark with my clients, assuming the 41-week assessment at Dr Labban’s office has been reassuring.