1. EARLY LABOR SUPPORT
Essential to Homestyle Midwifery care is the inclusion of a doula or licensed midwife for early labor support. That person will be your first contact when labor begins. She comes to your home when you and she both decide it is appropriate for her to come. Your early labor support person helps you work with your labor, accompanies you to the hospital and continues to provide support until after your baby is born. You choose the early labor support person and get to know her during your pregnancy. We will give you a list of Early Labor Support Doulas and Midwives whom we recommend. The contract you make with her is individually negotiated and is not covered by most insurances.
2. LABOR AND BIRTH AT THE HOSPITAL
One of our Certified Nurse Midwives attends your birth. You get to know each of us and each of us gets to know you during the course of your prenatal care. This relationship is one of the most important elements of Homestyle Midwifery care.
One of our clients said, "Having trust in our provider was one of the most critical components of preparing to give birth, and we never could have imagined just how deep that trust would become and how much it would inform our birth experience."
The nurse-midwife welcomes you at St. Luke’s when you arrive in labor. and accompanies you to the room where you will give birth. She stays with you throughout your labor and birth and remains with you until a few hours after your baby is born to help you nurse your baby and settle in. Throughout your time in the labor and delivery unit the midwife will take care of you in close partnership with the nursing staff.
At the hospital, we create a “homestyle” environment that includes a water birth tub for labor, a large futon on the floor and a birth stool-- all of which encourage you to move freely during labor, and to birth in your own way. We encourage you to bring a few special things from your home to make the space feel your own.
Every aspect of Homestyle Midwifery birth care is based on our belief that a woman giving birth needs to feel safe, protected, honored and cherished. Our intention is to honor the power, beauty and dignity of a woman giving birth, to encourage the active participation of your loved ones who are present, and to welcome your baby into this world with utmost gentleness.
If any medical complications arise,our Supervising Physician or one of the members of the OB team at St Luke's Hospital is always available to consult with us and to participate in your care if there is a need for medical or surgical intervention.
Your birth takes place at St. Luke’s Hospital, the fourth campus of CPMC. St. Luke's has a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit headed by a neonatologist. A staff pediatrician is always available to attend your birth if any problems with your baby arise.
