Midwifery Care
Our Care is
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Personalized
Each body is unique - so is each pregnancy, labor, and birth. We believe in providing care throughout pregnancy and postpartum that is catered to your individual needs and concerns.
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Extensive
The midwifery model of care is set apart from other models in many ways, but mainly the way it caters to much more extensive, all encompassing care. You will get to know your caregivers well as they get to know you and your needs, will have long and regular appointments throughout your pregnancy, and will touch not only on your physical but also your emotional needs.
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Integrative
Achieving your goals and thriving during this period of life requires more than just checking on the well being of your baby once a month. We will discuss things like your vision for your birth, fears, nutrition planning, birth education, and much more. Your care is yours to control.
Our goal:
To help guide and direct you toward a place of confidence through education, support, and exceptional care for both you and baby.
Our Full Midwifery Package
Includes:
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Orientation to out-of-hospital birth
Prenatal care
Laboratory evaluations
Off-site diagnostic ultrasounds
Nutrition counseling
Prenatal and postpartum education classes (as available)
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Labor and birth care at the birth center or in the home, continued labor support if transferred to hospital for birth
Immediate postpartum and newborn care
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Postpartum visits for you and your newborn during the first week, at 2 weeks, and again at 6 weeks.
Breastfeeding support
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24 hour phone access to your midwife for potentially time sensitive or pressing questions
Personalized care that allows you to know the exact midwives attending your birth.
Frequent, long form, and in depth prenatal and postnatal appointments that cannot be found in the medical model today.
The cost of this package is $6,000
With the option of a $500 discount if paid in full at the official start of care.
Some Insurances cover out of hospital birth in which you can be reimbursed for part or all of your expenses. Please check with your insurance to see what benefits are available to you.
Personalized Prenatal Care Package
For those seeking the one on one attention of midwifery care while still planning an in hospital birth
Includes:
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Orientation to hospital birth
Prenatal care
Laboratory evaluations
Off-site diagnostic ultrasounds
Nutrition counseling
Prenatal and postpartum education classes
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One of our wonderful birth doulas
Immediate postpartum and newborn care
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Postpartum visits for you and your newborn during the first week, at 2 weeks, and again at 6 weeks.
Breastfeeding support
-
24 hour phone access to your midwife for potentially time sensitive or pressing questions
Personalized care that allows you to know the exact midwives attending your birth.
Frequent, long form, and in depth prenatal and postnatal appointments that cannot be found in the medical model today.
The cost of this package is $3,500-$4,000
With the option of a $500 discount if paid in full at the official start of care.
Some Insurances cover these services for which you can be reimbursed for part or all of your expenses. Please check with your insurance to see what benefits are available to you. Call our office to discuss billing and payment plans!
“Our bodies must work pretty well, or there wouldn’t be so many humans on the planet.”
Ina May Gaskin
Bayley T.
“They answered every question I ever had and gave me so much information about my baby and my body. I decided to do a home birth and it was extremely amazing. I never had a doubt about if I was in good hands! They were right by my side the whole way! I love these ladies. Will be using them with my next child as well!”
Kelci S.
“I went in with some hesitations from my last experience with my 1st child; I delivered at a different Birthing Center. Beth and Cami were there to completely reassure me that this would be a healing process for me. They quickly resolved my fears with their amount of knowledge and concern for the birth process and me. I highly recommend them and will be using them in the future.”
FAQ’s
What is a Midwife?
A Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) is a knowledgeable, skilled and independent midwifery practitioner who has met the standards for certification set by the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM). CPM is the only international credential that requires knowledge about and experience in out-of-hospital birth.
Our midwives offer professional yet personalized care that takes into account the physical, social and spiritual needs of each woman. We are committed to developing a close rapport with our clients, providing ongoing patient and family education and promotion of individual responsibility for health. By establishing close, trusting relationships with women, Midwives have, over the years, established an excellent history of safety and patient satisfaction. It’s that personal care that makes your entire experience of becoming a mother one of the most meaningful and memorable events of your life. A report by the Institute of Medicine points out that Midwives are particularly effective in managing the care of pregnant women and that such care results in fewer premature and underweight babies. What this all means is that by choosing a Midwife you have obtained the best of both worlds. The Midwife knows the art of supporting women through normal labor and birth. She also knows how and when to use modern technology to ensure safety of both mother and baby.
How is a Birth Center/Home Birth Different from a Hospital birth?
Birth outside of the hospital is safe for healthy women with uncomplicated pregnancies. We are able to offer the family privacy, and a place where labor and birth are treated as normal life events to be shared with whomever the mother wishes. Laboring women will be carefully and continually assessed by the Midwife and an experienced birthing assistant to assure that mother and baby are doing well. Women are encouraged to walk, eat, drink and get into positions that are comfortable for them during labor and birth. At birth, the baby is immediately placed into the hands of the mother. Each new mother receives careful guidance in the first hours after birth so when the new family leaves the birth center, or the midwife leaves the home (in 4 to 12 hours), the new mother feels confident in her ability to breastfeed and care for her baby. The Midwife and birth assistant closely follow the family via phone and postpartum visits in the first few weeks of the baby’s life.
Are There Any Statistics about the Safety of Out-of-Hospital Birth?
The National Association of Childbearing Centers (now known as American Association of Birth Centers or AABC) has reported on a study of 17,856 women enrolled by 84 birth centers from mid-1985 through 1987. The results of this study were published in the December 28, 1989 edition of the New England Journal of Medicine. The NACC study revealed that 11.9% of the women admitted to the centers in labor were transferred to the hospital, primarily because of delayed progress in labor. Less than 1% of women and 2% of infants were transferred postpartum. Overall cesarean section rate was 4.4% (hospital low risk group was 8.4%). There was no maternal mortality (hospital group not available). The intrapartum and neonatal mortality rate was 1.7 per 1000 births which includes transfers (hospital group was 2.1 to 2.6 per 1000). Of the women who delivered at the birth centers, 98.8% stated they would recommend the center to friends. Of the women who were transferred, 96.9% said they would recommend the birth centers to others.
The authors concluded that, “birth out of the hospital is a safe alternative for normal, healthy women.”
What can and cannot be handled during a birth at home or at the Birth Center?
“Can’s”
Postpartum Hemorrhage – The Midwife, with the same drugs that are used in the hospital, can control excessive bleeding. If necessary, an IV can be started. If needed, the Midwife can transfer the stabilized mother to the hospital for an inpatient stay.
Infant Resuscitation – If the baby is having difficulty breathing, the Midwife and birth assistants are trained and certified in both CPR and neonatal resuscitation. The Midwife has the necessary equipment that would be needed to resuscitate and stabilize an infant. A neonatologist in-hospital is always available for consultation, and the Intensive Care Nursery is available 24 hours a day if transfer of an infant is necessary.
Vaginal/Perineal Tears – Midwives are trained and experienced in repairing tears and episiotomies using local anesthesia. (Episiotomies are rarely done).
“Cannot’s”
Anesthesia – While local anesthesia is available for repair of a tear or an episiotomy, regional anesthesia (such as an epidural) is not used outside the hospital for labor because it requires continuous monitoring and may depress the baby. We use coaching, hydrotherapy, and support for mother-to-be and her family so that labor, while challenging, is a good experience for all. On the rare occasion when extensive pain relief is needed, the Midwife will transport the mother to the hospital where this can be done safely. Narcotic pain medication is not available in either the birth center or in the home.
Forceps, Vacuum or C-Section Delivery – These procedures are done in the hospital by obstetricians if needed with continued support of the midwife.
Pitocin Induction or Augmentation – These procedures require continuous electronic fetal monitoring and immediate access to surgical delivery. For these reasons, if induction or augmentation are needed, your care will be transferred to a either a Certified Nurse Midwife or a physician in the hospital setting.
Blood Transfusions – Intravenous solutions (IVs) and medication to control excessive bleeding after birth are available with Twin Falls Midwifery. If there is uncontrolled bleeding and/or the need for a transfusion you will be transferred to the hospital where this is available.
What Can I Expect During My Prenatal Care?
We ask that you set aside 1 hour for your first visit. To help you set up a permanent record with a family and medical history, we will send you a link to our electronic medical records system, Mobile Midwife. You will need to complete the detailed questionnaire prior to your visit. You and your partner are encouraged and welcomed to come together for visits. Children are welcome at visits provided there is an adult who is available to care for them. Visits include a great deal of education and require the pregnant woman’s undivided attention. If you have been seeing another care provider for this pregnancy, please arrange to have your records transferred to Twin Falls Midwifery before your first visit. We encourage you to write down all your questions before your visit so that we can address any concerns you may have.
We will discuss with you your past health, present status and such things as nutrition, exercise in pregnancy, your family and/or support system. We will then do a complete physical examination. For first time mothers-to-be, this may include a pelvic exam and Pap smear to assure your health status we will draw labs at your initial visit and again between 24-28 weeks of pregnancy. We set aside extra time during the first visit to get to know you, answer your questions and explain options available to you. Together, we will formulate a plan of care for your pregnancy that could include special testing if needed or desired, such as an ultrasound, genetic screening or other testing, etc. At each subsequent visit, time will be available for questions and discussion. You are encouraged to include family, including grandparents and children, or friends at visits as you wish. Having a concerned mother or friend hear the baby’s heartbeat, and having their questions answered can help them support you during this pregnancy. The most important part of prenatal care is the job you do. By keeping all visits, eating well, living a healthy lifestyle, exercising appropriately, reading, asking questions, choosing a pediatric provider, and attending childbirth classes, you enhance your wellbeing and best prepare you for your birth. You will be continuously evaluated and guided by the Midwives so that you remain low-risk. By working together, clients and Midwives can achieve the best possible pregnancy experience.
How is a Birth Center/Home Birth Different from a Hospital birth?
Birth Center and Home Birth are for normal birth. Part of planning for a safe birth is considering the “what ifs” – what if a complication arises and you need to go to the hospital? Safe out-of-hospital birth depends on skilled assistance and technology being available 24 hours a day for complications and emergencies. Here in Twin Falls, we have easy access to needed technology by quickly transferring women to St. Luke’s Hospital. For non-emergent transfers, we will help you get to the hospital of your own preference.
The most common reason midwives transfer a woman to the hospital is when contractions continue but the woman stops making progress dilating. Often we can manage this in the center or at home, but sometimes it does require a transfer to use medications to stimulate stronger contractions. The second most common reason for a transfer is that the woman in labor requests more pain medication than we are able to provide at home. Other reasons for a transfer include presence of particulate meconium in the amniotic fluid, the woman developing a fever in labor, or problems with the baby’s heartbeat. Most often, a transfer is not an emergency and couples drive to the hospital in their own car. Our midwife will accompany the woman and continue to provide labor support. We will not be the birth attendant in the hospital setting; however, in those cases we will help support and advocate for the woman and the family.
If it becomes necessary to transfer to the hospital, the original work and dream of a perfect, simple birth at Twin Falls Midwifery, or in your home, must be adjusted. All our natural methods such as walking, position changes, and water therapy and nipple stimulation, etc. have been tried; the woman is now in need of the technology and perhaps the surgical expertise that the hospital has to offer. Please remember that the hospital staff is there to help you and your baby. The midwives, doctors and nurses will know that you planned a simple, non-interventive birth and understand that you may be dealing with complex feelings as well as a medical crisis. Although being transferred means that you require more technology and intervention than planned, we can still work together to make the birth as normal as possible under the circumstances.
We believe that, by being prepared for all scenarios, you will have a deeper, more empowering birth experience and will feel that you made the best choices given the best information available at the time. The facts are not all in yet. We, as a culture, are still learning about the wonders of pregnancy and birth. It is our goal to help you make a conscious choice.
What “routines” are required by Twin Falls Midwifery:
A birth at Twin Falls Midwifery offers fewer “routines” than a hospital, with each labor being treated as different and unique. Some situations may require more intervention, but here is a general list:
No routine IVs, we encourage oral fluids
No withholding of food and drink, we encourage women to stay well nourished in labor
No continuous electronic fetal monitoring, we provide intermittent monitoring with a doppler
No routine separation of mother and baby, except in an emergency, and then we work to reunite mother and baby as soon as possible.
No enforced bed rest. We encourage women to do what makes labor the most comfortable
No routine episiotomies. We trust your body to make room for your baby, and can repair tears, should they occur
No separation of mother and family, we encourage fathers to be present, and children as long as they have an adult to help them through the birth.