A birth doula is a labor support person who provides educational, emotional and physical support for her client. She is Not a clinical care provider. A midwife is a trained professional with special expertise in supporting women to maintain a healthy pregnancy and birth. Midwives offer individualized care, education, counseling and support to a woman and her newborn throughout the childbearing cycle. A midwife is the primary care provider during pregnancy, labor, delivery, the immediate postpartum period and 6 weeks of postpartum care for low risk women. A midwife works with each woman and her family to identify their unique physical, social and emotional needs. When the care required is outside of the midwife's scope of practice or expertise, the woman is referred to other care providers for additional consultation or care.

You may be a candidate for a home birth if you meet the following criteria: You are in good physical health. You refrain from smoking, drinking, and drugs. You have good nutritional habits. You are responsible with a self-reliant belief system towards prenatal care and birth. You are in a home situation that supports home birth. You are interested and willing to learn about all aspects of pregnancy, labor, and birth. You are willing to transfer care to a physician or hospital upon your midwife’s recommendation. You are a low risk status for pregnancy. You understand potential risks involved in birth and having a baby in home/birthing center.

Yes. As of January 1, 2020 anyone practicing midwifery in Michigan must hold a state license. MCL 333.17105

If you are healthy and low risk, it is not necessary to see a physician in addition to your midwife in pregnancy. There are times in which a client may need to see a physician during pregnancy if specific circumstances warrant it.

In most cases, you will deliver in your home in whatever area or room you choose. Many of my clients opt for delivery on a bed, which we prepare and cover to keep things clean.

Yes, waterbirth is an option for most women. A signed informed consent document is required for all women choosing an underwater birth.

Our prenatal and postpartum appointments are typically 30min to 1 hour in duration. Most appointments are in office. Prenatals: Once a month until you are 36 weeks Every 2 weeks from 36 to 40 weeks The 36 or 38 week visit is in home (if planning a home delivery) After 40 weeks, weekly until delivery Postpartum: Between 24 and 48 hours in Home (If planning a home delivery) Postpartum appointments are scheduled based on your needs in the following six weeks after delivery.

There are a lot of built in protective mechanisms that nature has provided in normal physiological birth. In a well nourished, healthy low risk woman, the rate of complication is extremely low. However, nature is fallible and complications can arise during labor, delivery, or the immediate postpartum period. As your midwife, I will be there to monitor both you and your baby from active labor until approximately 2-3 hours post delivery. Many complications will show signs ahead of time. I am well trained and equipped to handle complications that can happen in a labor or delivery. There are protocols followed for different complications. As your midwife I am trained in midwifery pharmacology and carry certain medications that are listed for use under my license. If the complication does not resolve as expected, I will arrange for back up EMS/hospital transport while continuing to work on stabilizing the situation.

Yes. As a licensed midwife in the state of Michigan, I re-certify every two years in both CPR and neonatal resuscitation.

I support true delayed cord clamping at every birth. It is common in my practice to wait until the placenta is delivered before the cord is cut. If your baby requires resuscitation, it is done with the baby still being attached to his/her cord and placenta.

I do not routinely transport into the hospital with you. Licensed CPM's do not have hospital privileges. If you need to transport to the hospital in labor, I will call the transport in and fax over your records. The hospital practitioner becomes the primary care giver. Routine postpartum care will follow once you are discharged and home.

No, I do not currently accept insurance or medicaid. I offer cash pay discounts and flexible monthly payment options. I currently accept cash, checks or money orders for payments. I am unable to provide superbills or insurance billing codes at this time.

Yes. I offer a variety of payment plan options. For your convince, I accept payments in the form of cash, check, or HSA payments.

Yes. I have a lab account through Quest Diagnostic and offer all standard prenatal labs. Quest does bill insurance.

Yes I attend VBAC’s (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) on a case by case basis with informed consent provided.

I will file for the birth certificate online with the Michigan Vital records department. There is a parent information worksheet that must be filled out and signed.

Absolutely! I strongly encourage all clients to hire a doula.

Yes. I am able to support most concerns with breastfeeding and I will assist you at our first postpartum checkup. If you need help beyond what I am able to offer, I will provide recommendations for a local IBCLC lactation consultant.