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Preparing-for-pregnancy care. A woman hoping to conceive might like a consult about how to achieve her most optimum state of health in preparing her body for pregnancy. This would include constitutional homeopathic care and nutritional consultation. Initial interviews for women selecting a midwife are done free of charge. At this meeting the midwife will also do a brief review your health history to determine if you would be best suited for a birth at home.
Prenatal Care, Labor and Birth Services and Post Partum Care:This includes an initial intake visit where a more extensive health history and birthing history is done. Lab tests screening your blood may be drawn at this visit. Ultrasounds are not done routinely. Monthly prenatal visits are done in my home until 36th weeks gestation. After 36 weeks, weekly visits are done in your home. Family participation is encouraged at all visits. All family members, including young children, may be included in childbirth education and preparation for welcoming the new family member. When labor begins, the birthing mother decides when it is time for the midwife to come. This varies from woman-to-woman. First time mothers may feel most comfortable with this new experience when the midwife is present in early labor. Some mothers, who have experienced birth once or several times before, may like their privacy with family members and call for the midwife as the labor progresses. The midwife is most often present for 2 to 4 hours after the birth or as long as needed.
Post partum visits are done on the day following the birth, on the third day, at 1 week, at 3 weeks, and at 6 weeks. Subsequent visits are done as needed. Occasional visits may be made for 3 to 6 months after the birth and on-going. Successful breast feeding, happy babies, and healthy mothers is the goal of the post partum period. Andrea Mietkiewicz, CPM, RN, Midwife
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