Schedule of care

Once you decide you would like to work with us, we will send you an email with a link to your chart. This link will allow you to complete your medical and pregnancy history prior to your first appointment so that we may spend that time asking any questions about your history, discussing nutrition and supplements. starting your hands on prenatal care, and getting to know each other. The email link will also include important documents as attachments including financial agreement, informed disclosures, supply lists, etc. All of these documents can be signed online and will not need to be printed.

For prenatal care, we see clients every 4 weeks until 28 weeks. At 28 weeks we begin seeing you every 2 weeks until you are 36 weeks. Once you are 36 weeks, your visits are once a week until you give birth. If you are choosing to give birth at home, we will schedule your home visit for around 36 weeks. This home visit allows us the opportunity to ensure that we can find your home and that you have gathered all necessary supplies. We will also do a complete prenatal appointment during this visit, checking on your and your baby's health.

Each appointment is 45-60 minutes in length and takes place at our location in Madison. We allow ample time for questions, education, and discussion. Throughout care we check blood pressure, pulse, measure fundal height (after 20 weeks), palpate baby's position, and listen to baby's heartbeat during each appointment. We can use either the doppler or fetoscope (after about 17 weeks) to listen to baby, based on client preference. We welcome siblings and partners at appointments, as well as anyone else planning to attend your birth.

Our team will be in close communication once labor begins and decide together the best time for us to join you. We would like for you to arrive at the birth center, or us at your home if planning a home birth, once active labor is well established. This tends to allow labor to unfold more quickly and smoothly. If you feel like you or your partner may benefit from early labor support or suggestions, we would recommend hiring a doula. Please visit our resources page. Once we arrive in labor we will check on you and your baby. Just as in prenatal appointments, we will take blood pressure, pulse, check baby's position, and listen to baby's heartbeat. If it is determined that it is active labor, we will set up and settle in, offer support, encouragement, and suggestions as needed. We will encourage you to eat, drink, and go to the bathroom during labor. Cervical checks/vaginal exams are rare and not routine or required for admittance in labor.

Our team will continue to provide support through the birth of your baby. After you have given birth, we allow time for bonding with your baby while keeping an eye on your bleeding and awaiting your placenta. You may initiate breastfeeding at any time following birth and we are available to help if needed. The immediate postpartum period is a time for you and your partner to get to know your new baby. During this first couple of hours we will continue to asses your wellbeing as well as your baby's. Listening to baby's heart rate, checking your bleeding and blood pressure are all normal during this time.

We will stay with you 2-4 hours after a home birth as long as everyone is stable. Most families choose to go home about 4 hours after giving birth at the birth center.

During the immediate postpartum period, we will perform a thorough newborn exam. We will listen to your baby's heart and lungs, measure your baby's length, weight, head, and chest size. We will also check your baby's reflexes; checking your baby over from head to 10 tiny toes.

Virginia midwives are licensed to care for you and your baby through the first 6 weeks postpartum. Regardless of where you choose to give birth we will see you in your home at 24-48 hours and again at 5 days postpartum. We offer a phone check in at one week and in office follow up visits at 2, 4, and 6 weeks postpartum. During this time we will continue to monitor your healing while also monitoring your baby's growth, We offer breastfeeding support and can refer to a lactation consultant if needed.