PHILOSOPHY OF CARE
Because I believe God created pregnancy and birth as sacred, fundamentally normal, physiological processes, I commit to respect and protect the birth space, allowing labor it to take its normal course, in order to help each woman birth naturally, safely and confidently. Essential components of holistic care include attentive, skilled and evidence-based support, establishing a caring atmosphere, limiting unnecessary interventions, education and empowerment of the mother to make her own decisions about her care, encouraging her self-expression, and respecting her privacy.
I practice an intentional, individualized model of prenatal care, with no forced testing or treatment. My goal is to equip each woman to make her own decisions about her care by providing unbiased, evidence-based research and information on the risks and benefits of each test or treatment offered, and giving her the opportunity to discuss and ask questions. This is true informed choice.
During labor and birth, I maintain a non-interventive, hands-off style, while remaining attentive and available should the mother or family need any kind of support or encouragement. I assist to protect and maintain her autonomy, freedom of movement and choice of position, freedom to eat and drink in labor; practice no forced exams or interventions, no time limits on normal labor and birth, respectful one-on-one individualized care, empowering and encouraging support and suggestions, trust in the mother and her body’s ability to birth naturally; and facilitate a physiologically intact atmosphere that promotes early bonding and involvement of the whole family, establishment of a healthy breastfeeding relationship, and a peaceful, private and familiar environment that is free of disruptions and distractions.
THE MIDWIVE’S MODEL OF CARE
The Midwives Model of Care™ is a fundamentally different approach to pregnancy and childbirth than contemporary obstetrics. Midwifery care is uniquely nurturing, hands-on care before, during, and after birth. Midwives are health care professionals specializing in pregnancy and childbirth who develop a trusting relationship with their clients, which results in confident, supported labor and birth. Midwives are trained to provide comprehensive prenatal care and education, guide labor and birth, address complications, and care for newborns. The Midwives Model of Care™ is based on the fact that pregnancy and birth are normal life events. The application of this model has been proven to reduce to incidence of birth injury, trauma, and cesarean section. The Midwives Model of Care™ includes:
Monitoring the physical, psychological and social well-being of the mother throughout the childbearing cycle
Providing the mother with individualized education, counseling, and prenatal care
Continuous hands-on assistance during labor and delivery and postpartum support
Minimizing technological interventions
Identifying and referring women who require obstetrical attention.