Midwifery Care

 Why should you choose Offspring's Midwives?

♀      Nurturing care throughout your entire pregnancy, birth, and up to eight weeks postpartum. 

♀      A free hour-long consultation and getting-to-know-you visit to answer questions and address any concerns you may have about midwifery care

♀      Free pregnancy testing

♀      Hour-long prenatal and postpartum appointments  

♀      All the same prenatal testing options that women offered by other obstetric providers, including genetic screening, blood tests, and cultures

♀      Referrals for ultrasounds as needed or desired and consultations with physician specialists, as needed

♀      Midwives on-call 24 hours a day for any questions or concerns that may arise

♀      Continuous care and support throughout your labor, the birth, and the immediate postpartum period

♀      Freedom to labor in any position with as many or as few support persons as desired

♀      Options of laboring and birthing in water

♀      Multiple postpartum visits for mom and baby, including two home visits for your convenience and comfort

♀      Discounts on other Offspring services and access to our lending library

Is Homebirth Safe?

Homebirth has proven to be a safe option for women who are healthy and don't have any medical conditions that would put them or their baby at risk. However it is possible for complications to arise at unexpected times during any pregnancy or birth.

“The largest study of home births attended by Certified Professional Midwives, as published in the British Medical Journal has found that home birth is safe for low risk women and involves far fewer interventions than similar births in hospitals.”
Click here to read the PDF article.
–Citizens for Midwifery fact sheet ‘05

Midwives Alliance of North America References on Safety of Homebirth

What is a Licensed Midwife?

“Your presence at Edie's birth was invaluable. You have a gift of firm calmness.” - Alyson, mother of Edie, born at a birthing center in Seattle , WA

In California, qualified midwives are licensed by the Medical Board of California to “provide prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum care, including family-planning care, for the mother, and immediate care for the newborn.”  In order for a midwife to qualify for licensure, she must successfully complete an accredited three-year postsecondary midwifery education program approved by the board as well as “a comprehensive licensing examination which is equivalent, but not identical, to the examination given by the American College of Nurse Midwives.” For your safety licensed midwives carry medications to treat a variety of intrapartum complications, along with oxygen and IV therapy.  In addition, LM's are certified in both neonatal resuscitation and CPR. (Licensed Midwifery Practice Act of 1993)

Do homebirth midwives take insurance?

Doula Care/ Hospital Support

Why choose an Offspring Doula?

∙ Professional, dependable, loving aid for the entire duration of your labor and birth. 

∙ Meetings during your pregnancy to discuss everything from your preferences to your fears around birth

∙ As licensed midwives we also include nutritional and lifestyle counseling as part of your doula services

∙ Close phone contact from the moment labor begins until you are ready for our support. 

∙ Physical, emotional and informational support to you and your partner during labor: including massage, encouragement, ideas for positioning and comfort, and advocacy 

Clinical studies have found that a doula's presence at birth
                                              

∙   Results in shorter labors with fewer complications

∙  Reduces negative feelings about one's childbirth experience

∙  Reduces the need for labor augmentation, instrumental delivery, and cesareans

∙  Reduces the mother's request for pain medication and/or epidurals

Discounts on other Offspring offerings available to midwifery and doula clients!

Contact Kate for more information or to set up a consultation
Phone: (707) 483-7061

email: info@offspringbirthservices.com