What Does a Midwife Do?

One awful morning quite a few years ago now, one of my twins, now in his 20s and living in another state called me to tell me that his best friend was dead. It was a freak accident that had happened overnight. We talked for quite a while, and as he was hanfing up, he said, "Werem't you hia morther's midwife? You probably have things you need to do".

I raised him well

I got right off one call and on tho the next which went something lie, "We aren't answering the phone but when I saw that it was you...." I was at her house a couple of hours later to help with the first few days..

I have decided a couple of times that I was not doing it anymore, or I was taking a long break. Then, I wouldl be somewhere far from home minding my own business and suddenly have a birth situation present right in front of me. Or, I would be minding my own business and have the husband of an old client appear at my house to talk about the difference between having a midwife ond just doing it yourselves until I asked which daughter was pregnant. I don't know how many other midwives experience it like that, but for me it is so ingrained. I was called in the old fashioned way, and, while it eventually becami a career choice, and a college major, etc,, the call is strong.

As for what I do?I take care of people who are pregnant and birthing. I do education about pregnancy and childbirth with famiilies who are pregnant, with midwifery students, sometimes with other peole. I have been known to speak to college classes, or paramedic classes, or..... It is my conviction, and research bears it out, that arriving at the birth health, relaxed, and feeling safe allows for a wonderful, healthy labor and awonderful healthy birth.

All prenatal care and preparation are in the family's home. I go to them. I like to have spent enough time in their space for it to be another comfortable place. It seems important to know early if my energy is not going to work for them so they can find someone else. We have plenty of time to discuss everything that is important to them, to meet everyone who will be present at the birth,

I teach cnildbirth classes which I encourage mothers and fathers to attend as I do also all of the visits. I can order labs and ultrasounds as we decide they are needed or wanted.

If you are interested in water birth, I can provide a pool and facilitate that.

My team and I will be with you continuously through your labor, birth, and several hours beyond depending upon your needs.

If all you need is privacy and the occasional fetal heart tone check, we can do that. If you need a lot of continuous support in labor, we can do that. If you have major fireworks of some sort and need all of us to use all of our skills, we will be set up - discreetly off stage - so we can do whatever is needed in the way of care for you, your baby, or both.

We will be back often in the first few weeks postpartum when you and the baby bothneed the most support and checking on, always with things to do and check, but most importantly for you so you can have some moments to take it all in.