Midwifery Care

Preconception counseling is about reviewing your lifestyle and discussing changes you can make to increase your fertility and ensure you experience an optimal pregnancy. You can always schedule a visit to discuss these things before becoming pregnant (even if not considering home birth)!

A midwife is trained to support low-risk pregnancy and physiological labor and birth. In Texas, midwives are licensed by the Department of Licensing and Regulation after having completed education and training to qualify them to take the North American Registry of Midwives national exam.

During your pregnancy, you will receive one-on-one prenatal care from me. It is my goal to train future midwives, so you may have a student midwife participating in your care if you desire. The hour-long appointments allow us time to discuss and address questions and concerns as well as provide education and resources for labor and birth, breastfeeding, and newborn care. All routine maternal and newborn labs and screenings are available, with consent.

Homebirth or birthing center allows you to labor with fewer interventions and more options for movement and relaxation. The midwife and/or her team arrive whenever you need and stays until after the birth when you and baby are stable and resting. A birth pool - affectionately referred to as the "midwife's epidural" - is a lovely complement to labor support!

After your pregnancy and homebirth, you receive a minimum of three home visits to check on you and baby. During each visit, we discuss lactation and newborn care. Home visits offered to Austin and surrounding area families only. 

Sometimes during pregnancy or homebirth, the hospital becomes the best option to keep you and baby safe during labor. The midwife will help you to determine if this becomes necessary and will accompany you to the hospital. She will become part of your labor support team and advocate for the kind of birth you desire.