What does a homebirth look like?

The homebirth midwife honors the birthing family while supporting the physiological process.  Over the course of prenatal care, we thoroughly address clients' questions and discuss their birth vision and goals.  Each birth is attended by at least one Licensed Traditional Midwife and a trained assistant.  In addition to emotional support, we monitor overall well being, including assessing vitals and attending to whatever the client may require, including hydration, nutrition, suggestions for position changes, and more.  We perform intermittent auscultation of fetal heart tones, which studies show, is associated with optimal outcomes.  Lifestyles Midwifery carries herbs and homeopathy, as well as IV fluids, oxygen, anti-hemorrhagic pharmaceuticals, and IV antibiotics, which may be administered for treatment of GBS if clients test positive and consent to treatment.  Licensed Traditional Midwives also carry appropriate equipment and are certified in American Academy of Pediatrics Neonatal Resuscitation.  After ensuring all are well and stable immediately postpartum, we honor "the golden hour," the first moments of family bonding time.  Thereafter, we take time for routine maternal and newborn procedures.  After ensuring mom and baby are safely tucked in, we provide comprehensive early home care instructions, remain on-call for any urgent needs or questions, and continue the routine postpartum course of care, beginning with the first home visit between 24 to 48 hours and continuing over the next four to six weeks.  

Thank you to this family and LO Photography & Events of Worthington, MN for these pictures.