It's worth scheduling a free consult to discuss this. Risk categories are different among different care providers. And regulations differ state to state. If I can't take care of you, I may be able to point you to a provider with a similar philosophy who can.

This is the single biggest concern most parents have. The simplest answer is that, as a CPM, I am trained and equipped to handle emergency situations such as bleeding and the need to resuscitate a newborn. But there is a lot to this question. First of all, emergency situations are less common at home births for several reasons. 1) Our clients are "low risk." 2) Continuity of care allows us to be familiar with what's normal for you, recognize early when something is off, use non-invasive means to remedy issues as they arise, and choose to transfer before things become serious or emergent. 3) We do many fewer invasive procedures and avoid potentially destabilizing medications, which are often the cause of "emergencies" in the hospital setting. 4) When challenges arise, we stay calm such that our clients don't experience certain situations as emergencies. For example, we can help a baby breathe while they are right next to you with the cord intact, so they are still receiving oxygen through the placenta. Another example would be that our clients push in whatever position they desire, and we do not rush the birth of the shoulders. We see less shoulder dystocia than in the hospital because we respect and encourage physiological birth, even with larger babies. When a shoulder dystocia does occur, we use positional changes and hands-on maneuvers, communicating clearly but calmly, so that the situation is far less traumatic for the whole family.

The majority of home birth transfers are not emergencies but rather first time parents choosing to go in for an epidural for therapeutic rest. In both emergency and non-emergency transfers, I will contact the hospital, share relevant clinical information, fax over your records, clean up, and usually meet you at the hospital where I essentially serve as your doula.

As a licensed midwife in Maryland and CPM in Maryland and Pennsylvania, I carry and administer as needed several medications for postpartum hemorrhage, including pitocin, in addition to IV fluids, vitamin K and erythromycin eye prophylaxis for newborns, IV antibiotics for maternal GBS treatment in labor (if indicated and desired), epinephrine in case of allergic reaction, and lidocaine, a local anesthetic used for suturing. I can acquire and administer Rhogam when needed. I also carry herbal and homeopathic medicines, which are my first go-to whenever possible. I cannot prescribe other medications. I do not perform ultrasounds in my office but rather will write a referral for them as desires/indicated.

I cannot insert an epidural, offer narcotic pain medications or administer nitrous oxide. To choose home birth is to make a commitment to natural birth - though transfer to the hospital for pain medication is always an option. That said, laboring in your own home affords many options for comfort measures. You are free to move around inside and outside, use all your furniture, take showers and baths, use the birth pool, seek privacy or intimacy, receive therapeutic touch, and so on.Item description

I can take blood, urine, and vaginal samples in my home office and in your home. I have an account with LabCorp. Most lab fees are covered by your insurance. Any lab fees not covered, you will have to pay out of pocket.

Although tears that require sutures are lesson common in the home birth setting because we support physiologic pushing, they do sometimes happen. Most tears can be repaired at home with local anesthetic. Very rarely, a very deep or complex tear will require more advanced surgical attention, which means transferring for medical care in the hospital.

The best thing is to bring them along for a consult. Oftentimes having their questions answered and establishing a real-life relationship with a midwife is all that's required. I'd also recommend watching together The Business of Being Born.

Birth can be messy. And we do clean up! We recommend a few different tricks to protect your mattress and carpets and supplies to have on hand for cleaning, and then we take care of everything after the birth. No one will ever know. =)

Sometimes prospective clients ask if their home is too small. Funnily enough, even in large homes, mamas often end up giving birth in the bathroom or the smallest room in the house, and that's just fine. Birth can unfold just about anywhere. And a birth pool can be accommodated with some creativity in most spaces. Your home need not be scrubbed clean or sterilized. We are each adapted to our own environments, much more so than to a hospital environment. If you'll be using your bathtub in labor, it's a good idea to clean it well first, especially in case your water breaks early in labor.

Yes! There is a $100 fee to borrow my pool. I'll bring it to your home at our 36-week home visit, along with a new, disposable liner, a new, foodgrade hose, and other necessary supplies, and we'll discuss how and when to set it up and fill it. After the birth, my birth assistant and I will take care of emptying it with a sump pump, cleaning up, and clearing everything out! You can keep the hose.