Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Midwife bring to a birth?
I will bring general
monitoring equipment such as blood pressure cuff and stethoscope, thermometer, and doppler for assessing baby’s heart rate. I
will also bring sterile instruments, oxygen and resuscitation equipment, herbs & homeopathic treatments, supplies for newborn
exam, baby scale, and other miscellaneous supplies including gloves, clamps, urinary catheter, DeLee suction, and amnihook.
What birth
supplies do I need?
You can order your customized birth kit at www.babybirthandbeyond.com search the site for KT305. Also,
I will give you a list of other things around your home to gather in preparation for your birth.
Do you offer pain medication
at home?
Because pain medicines and epidurals carry a risk of harm to you and your baby, it is not safe to use pharmaceutical pain
relief at home. However, I have many techniques to help you cope with labor. One includes laboring in water, also known as the
“aquadural”. Studies show that water therapy during labor helps a laboring mom relax, eases the discomfort of labor, as well
as aiding in its progression. Other methods of natural pain relief that may be used include:
In your own home, you are able to move around freely, change scenery, eat and drink as you wish, and have whomever you’d like
to be with you. These things make a tremendous difference in your perception of discomfort in labor. At home, you will not be laboring
on your back. Laboring on your back is extremely uncomfortable and does not facilitate the labor process. Also in a natural birth,
Pitocin is not used. Pitocin makes your contractions abnormally strong, so they feel much worse than normal contractions.
During your
prenatal visits and childbirth classes you will be thoroughly prepared for your labor and delivery. I will assist you in relaxation
techniques and provide you with all the tools you will need for labor.
I understand that if you’ve never had a baby before, you
don’t know exactly what to expect in labor. The unknown can be quite frightening. Also, if you have had a bad experience with
a delivery in the past, you may feel fearful and want to have options for pain relief in labor. It is true, we can never really know
ahead of time how we will handle and cope with labor. However, no matter how much of a “wimp” you may think you are, the discomfort
of labor is different than general pain. Pain usually is associated with something being seriously wrong. It is a warning sign that
we need to do something to help the problem. However, the discomfort associated with labor is for a purpose. It is “good pain” that
is normal and is bringing your baby into the world. This psychological awareness causes us to perceive the pain differently. Through
education, I assist you to break the cycle of fear, tension and pain. In addition, contractions are not continuous; there
are breaks between them which allows you time to rest. Labor generally progresses gradually as well, so you have time to adjust
to the increasing intensity.
There are some cases, for example with a very long labor, that transfer to a hospital for pain relief
can be very beneficial. I acknowledge the appropriate use of pain relief. In addition, I would support your decisions unconditionally.
If you want a natural birth I am here to help you achieve it, and I know that you are able to do it. If you
decide that you need pain relief, I will also support that decision.
What is a Doula?
A Doula is a professional labor support person. The Doula offers information, support, tips for dealing with labor, and helping your partner to be the best labor support person he can be. Achieving a natural birth is a team event. Unlike the Midwife and birth assistant that have other duties, the Doula is there just to support you and give you exactly what you need in labor. A Doula will work with you during your pregnancy to come up with a birth plan customized to you. She will then support you and your partner through your whole labor and delivery. There are also postpartum Doulas that help care for you after delivery and assist with breastfeeding. A Doula does not take the place of a midwife or birth assistant and should not interfere with the natural birth process.
Is Homebirth Safe?
Research has shown that
planned, out-of-hospital birth with a registered, licensed or certified Midwife leads to fewer interventions and complications for
both the mother and baby. The chances of you having a cesarean are greatly reduced at home (6% compared to 46% at our local hospital).
Your baby will not be forcefully pulled out by forceps or vacuum. Your baby will not be subjected to unnecessary tests and
exams. It has been demonstrated that being confined to bed with continuous fetal monitoring, routine or early breaking the waters,
and routine use of Pitocin and epidurals cause the majority of complications related to childbirth in the hospital. Avoiding these
unnecessary interventions will only aid you in achieving a safe and uncomplicated delivery. Normally, birth is uncomplicated and does
not require interventions of any kind. The hospital transfer rate for planned homebirths nationally is about 10-12% and the cesarean
section rate is 5-6%. Maternal and neonatal injuries are significantly less at home. According to a recent study published in the
Canadian Medical Association Journal, neonatal mortality is less with Midwife attended homebirth than with Midwife or physician attended
hospital birth. Researchers found that childbirth at home with a Registered Midwife is just as safe as a conventional hospital birth
and has a lower rate of complications. [Canadian Medical Association Journal, Janssen et al, September 15, 2009. 181 (6-7)]
What if
something goes wrong?
Healthy women with normal pregnancies generally stay healthy and have normal births. Most problems that develop
during pregnancy or birth have clear warning signs that can be seen well in advance, and I am able to calmly plan for, prevent,
or managing a problem.
I am highly trained, experienced, and able to quickly identify and manage any situations which are outside
of normal. If a complication arises, I have emergency equipment including oxygen, herbs to prevent hemorrhage, and resuscitation
equipment. My assistant and I are trained in emergency procedures, including CPR and neonatal resuscitation. If a hospital transfer
becomes necessary, I have a plan in place for transfer and will accompany you to the hospital where you can receive the obstetrical
care that you require.
Stalled labor is the most common reason for hospital transfer. Although I must resolve the situation in a timely manner, it is not truly an emergency and generally I have plenty of time to try various natural methods to get labor going again. If I am unable to keep labor going, the mom can be driven to the hospital in her own car, accompanied by me.
What if
the cord is around the baby’s neck?
Actually, this is a rather common occurrence and is usually not an emergency. One-third of all
babies born are born with the cord around their neck. Rarely, does this cause a problem. Once the head is born, the I will feel
around the baby’s neck to see if a cord is present. If the cord is present I will either slip the cord over the baby’s head or
will birth the baby’s body through the cord. If the cord is extremely tight, it can be immediately clamped and cut, but this is rarely
necessary.
What about tearing?
I work hard to prevent and minimize tearing. I do this by encouraging good nutrition during pregnancy,
perineal massage, perineal support, oil, hot compresses, warm baths, and avoiding episiotomy. I will teach you how to push in
a way that you ease the baby out in a slow, controlled way. Baths and/or waterbirth are also good ways to help prevent tearing.
The warm water softens the tissue and allows it to gently stretch during birth. Only in an absolute emergency will a midwife
cut an episiotomy!
Who will clean up after the birth?
Your birth team will take care of everything after your birth. My assistant and
I will make sure you have eaten a meal, change your sheets, wash the laundry, disinfect the birth area, clean and disinfect the bathtub,
and take out the trash. Within an hour or two after your birth everything will be tidied for you.
How do I obtain a birth certificate
and social security card for my baby?
Your Midwife will submit the birth certificate which also requests a social security card, if
you desire. A social security card will automatically be mailed to you within 4-8 weeks. You will be provided information on
how to obtain a copy of the birth certificate.
Do I need a Pediatrician?
Yes. It is recommended that you interview Pediatricians prior
to birth so you will have an opportunity to find a doctor who has the same beliefs that you do about your baby’s health ahead of time. Shortly after birth I will complete a physical exam on your baby, weigh and measure your baby, and administer vitamin K and eye ointment,
if you desire. The Midwife will also do the Newborn Metabolic Screening (PKU) test between the 2nd and 7th day after the birth. You
will be instructed on how to listen and count your baby’s heart rate and breathing, take the temperature and monitor for any abnormal
signs. After your baby is born, it is suggested that you contact your pediatrician and schedule a visit within 48 hours.
