Heartfelt Birth offers a wide variety of services to help families create a conscious and safe birth experience. Complete home birth packages include individualized care and guidance during the entire pregnancy, birth and precious new baby time.
How often do we meet during pregnancy? Where do we meet?
Prenatal visits should be scheduled every month until you are 28 weeks, every two weeks until you are term at 37 weeks, then weekly until delivery. Most visits will run about an hour, but may last longer. Additionally, I am always available for questions, concerns or just to “touch base.” Prenatal visits are conducted in your home and at James Family Chiropractic in Summerville.
In addition to visits with me,
What should I expect at prenatal visits?
Prenatals are thorough and cover vital signs, urinalysis, fetal growth, heart rate and baby’s position. More importantly we discuss your dreams and desires, physical changes and emotional concerns, diet and exercise, relationship and lifestyle issues. I will explain what I am doing as I go along and encourage you to ask lots of questions! But I also believe that you already have a lot of knowledge about your body and the baby that you are growing! I want to hear all about that wisdom, too! These visits are a time of education, sharing and exploring. It’s when we will learn to trust each other and birth!
Do you recommend childbirth preparation classes?
Educating yourself during pregnancy is one of your primary responsibilities (along with eating well). Knowledge is power! I regularly teach a six week series which I designed for home birth and birth center couples called Best Birth. As a midwife and therapist, I created this class to educate, support and inspire woman to prepare their mind, body, spirit and environment for a birth without fear, anxiety or unnecessary pain. Each two hour class is conducted in an intimate, respectful setting designed to explore birth from all angles: the mother’s, the father’s, the baby’s, and the culture’s, while recognizing how each perspective influences your birth experience. Couples learn about various pain management techniques, from epidurals to hypnosis and everything in between, explore coping methods, and discover how to manage the unexpected creatively and intelligently with no regrets. The class helps connect fathers with their partners and their child before, during, and after the birth in a manner that is comfortable and authentic.
Do you do water births?
Yes, I have been practicing water birth for over 20 years! I encourage all women to have a water option in labor, even if they choose not to use it for delivery. It is an excellent way to help the mother relax and decrease pain. As very few bath tubs, even large garden tubs, have the room a pregnant woman needs to float and submerge herself effectively, I recommend an inexpensive hose-filled birth tub to be set up. During both labor and birth, a mother may choose to use the water, or not, as her instincts and needs dictate.
When do I call you if I think I am in labor? When do you come to my house for the birth?
By the end of your pregnancy, we will be seeing each other every week and talking on the phone between visits. I will want to hear about all of your changes and know what is going on with you! I will be happy to come to your house whenever you need, or when your contractions have established into a regular pattern. Unlike a hospital birth, it is me who is coming and going if things are too early, while you relax at home and get ready to have the baby!
Do you have any rules about what I can or cannot do during labor or birth?
Yes, I have a big rule! I won’t permit anyone to be abusive during birth; it’s just the wrong way to go when we are experiencing a miracle! Other than that, you are encouraged to do whatever will help you have the baby as easily and safely as possible! I want you to be able to listen to your body and feel free to do what it tells you to do; move, eat, drink, dance, toilet, laugh, cry, sing…whatever! You can have the people there that you need and the things that make you most comfortable. It’s all about you and your baby!
What do you do during my labor?
I will do as little or as much as you want me to do. Some woman want a lot of contact with their midwife during birth, others have had me sit silently in a corner doing very little. I usually wind up doing both; gliding in and out of activity, yet always attentively monitoring the mother’s and baby’s well-being! The requirements of each woman and birth are unique and I am honored to serve as needed! In this way, the mother finds her own way through birth with confidence and security, pain is minimized, and the birth naturally unfolds according to its perfect design.
What about the pain?
Birth is a big, physical act and you will feel it strongly in many different ways. While some pain is expected in childbirth, there is a difference between pain and suffering. Most women find that in the security and calmness of a home birth the discomfort is tolerable and manageable. Being able to fully relax in comfortable surroundings, with familiar people, while moving about freely, maximizes the body’s natural endorphin response and makes birth a positive, powerful experience that carries over into the woman’s entire life.
What is the husband/partner’s role at birth?
Fathers/husbands/partners are encouraged to be as involved as they and the mother desire. During prenatal care, partners will learn to trust the process of growing and birthing a baby. By understanding more of the process, they will feel closer to the child and be better able to support the mother. The sanctity of the home environment allows the natural intimacy of birth to be unhindered. Hopefully, the man is not only the father of the child, but also the mother’s lover and best friend. As such, the partner plays a central role in birth without feeling the need to be an “expert” or “coach.” At a home birth a traditional dad is on his own turf; there are no power struggles. The midwife supports the partner in supporting the mother, making sure that he is comfortable, understands the process, and has his needs met with food, drink, sleep and all important bathroom breaks. The partner is invited to help the mother receive the baby as it is being born.
Women without traditional fathers/husbands/partners, or with partners who are unable or unwilling to participate, will be fully supported as well. Together, we will create a plan that allows each woman’s emotional and physical needs to be met at her birth. Again, the unique nature of midwifery and home birth allows a woman to create her own best birth.
What happens after the baby comes out?
The baby goes straight into the mother’s arms; often with her helping receive and bring the baby up. The baby is covered in warmed blankets with the cord intact and still pulsing, while peacefully adjusting to life on the outside. You and your partner will have uninterrupted time to greet your new one while I unobtrusively and quietly monitor you and the baby. You will be able to explore your little one, including discovering the sex in quiet privacy, facilitating peak neuro-chemical bonding. When the cord has stopped pulsing, I will clamp it to be cut by the person of your choice. Then the placenta is delivered and you can settle in, holding your baby while I do the newborn exam and help you establish breastfeeding. In normal birth, the baby never leaves the mother.
How long do you stay after the birth? What about all of the mess?
I usually stay at the home 4-6 hours after the birth to monitor both the mother and baby and make sure that breastfeeding is established. During this time, you and your baby will have a warm herbal bath and everything will get cleaned up. By the time I leave, everyone will be bathed, fed, and tucked into bed in a clean house!
I will come back for postpartum visits to check on you and the baby the next day, and again at three days and five days after the birth. Your support team will provide for your family’s needs the first two weeks after the birth according to your “babymoon” plan (like a honeymoon, more on this later) we created during your pregnancy. You are encouraged to visit your chosen pediatrician sometime in the first couple of weeks to establish a relationship and care plan. However, I am available 24/7 by phone if any concerns or questions arise and will be happy to come for an additional “look-see” if needed!
What about my other children?
The roles that siblings play in a home birth are as individual as the players and determined by the needs of the parents and the child. While some families find that having children present at a sibling’s birth was a wonderful experience, others decide that birth is best for “adults only.” Parents need to decide if they and the child will be comfortable with the nudity, sexuality, noise, blood, and emotions that may be part of the birth. Before the birth, children will need some preparation including books, videos, and lots of conversation. At the birth, they will need an adult companion that they know and trust to care for them. This person should be comfortable being at the birth, but who won’t mind missing the birth, if necessary, in order to be of service to the child. Generally, children less than 3 are mostly interested in having their own needs met and would probably rather be in a situation that keeps their normal routine, 3-6 year olds need to be able to walk in and out of the birth situation, while older children can call the shots for themselves.
What if something goes wrong?
By allowing birth to unfold on its own without interventions, the risk of complications is greatly reduced. During labor you and the baby will be monitored for any deviations from a normal course and many situations that may arise can be handled immediately. However, while home birth is usually uncomplicated and straightforward, it sometimes (about 8% of cases in my practice) becomes apparent that the birth should be moved to a hospital setting. In that case, I will accompany you to the hospital according to our previously developed emergency plan. Once in the hospital, although I will no longer be the person in charge of your care, I will stay with you to communicate with the medical staff and support you. After you and the baby are home, I will continue with postpartum care as planned.
What if you’re not available when I go into labor?
I purposely restrict my practice to prevent over lapping due dates. One of the services I provide is being “on call” for each client beginning at 37 weeks. This means that I do not go out of town or otherwise make any plans that would make me unavailable. In the case of an extreme situation (which has never happened in 25 years of practice) I would seek the assistance of another midwife.
What are your fees and what do they include?
My package fee is $2800 and includes prenatal care, the birth and postpartum care, as well as education and support throughout your pregnancy. It does not include your additional 2
Can you submit your charges to my insurance company?
I will provide you with billing receipts that include CPT coding and any other information that you may need to seek reimbursement from your insurance company, but you will pay me directly. This allows me to keep my fees low and my energy focused on midwifery.
Do you offer a free initial consultation?
Yes, it is important for each woman to find the midwife that is right for her. I encourage women to explore all of their birth options. Please call me to set up an appointment.
cynthiagerard@aol.com
(843) 557-4309
102 Elm Circle