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Midwifery Services
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Doula Services
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Why is Midwifery Important?
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“It is the midwife, not the physician, who has attended birth for most of human existence… The six countries with the lowest perinatal mortality rates in the world all make generous use of midwives, who attend 70% of all births. In the United States, where midwives assist only 5 percent of births due to political constraints, perinatal mortality is alarmingly high: we rank number 24 worldwide.” (Elizabeth Davis, Heart & Hands.)
Woman-Centered Prenatal Care. Quality prenatal care starting between weeks eight to ten helps prevent pregnancy complications, and enables women to fully benefit from the care a midwife provides. It also helps women to stay healthy and low risk. Low risk women have more choices available to them in childbirth. The midwife and the pregnant woman work together as a team during pregnancy to prepare her body and spirit for the work of childbirth. The midwife teaches proper pregnancy nutrition and exercises, emphasizing that these are the foundation of a healthy pregnancy and lead to a smoother labor and delivery. The woman takes responsibility for her pregnancy by following the diet, exercising daily, and practicing relaxation daily. We offer the standard evidence-based lab tests throughout pregnancy, to ensure that women are low-risk. Ultrasounds are not routine, but may be ordered to rule out any potential conditions, or by patient request. We collaborate with doctors when necessary and we have good relationships with some great doctors around the Chicago area. Some people think medical insurance won’t pay for home birth, but actually it usually does. Because we are licensed, we are allowed to bill to all insurance plans. If you have no insurance at all or you don’t have maternity coverage, then you can choose our self-pay rate which is considerably less costly. Hospital delivery will be covered at in-network rates. The cost can vary a lot depending on your insurance situation. If you would like to learn more about how your insurance plan will cover your prenatal care and delivery, please contact us to schedule a free consult. Family-Focused Home Birth. We provide natural childbirth delivery in your home. Recent studies have found that home birth is safe for low risk women. Women state many practical and personal reasons for choosing home birth. We support this decision and help them reach that goal by helping them stay healthy and low risk. We respect and honor the family’s preferences for their birth including water birth, sibling participation, delayed cord cutting, and more. Labor Support All our midwives and assistants have extensive experience in doula support and can help out when needed. Dedicated labor support is an optional service, and is provided by one of our doulas or an extra assistant. Well-Woman Care Childbirth the Way Nature Intended is not just for pregnant women! We also provide annual exams, routine gynecology, natural family planning and health screening. Girls 12 and older may see us for school, sports, and camp physicals. |
We provide doula and monitrice services
for couples delivering at most hospitals
in the Chicago metropolitan area
and southeast Wisconsin.
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Our doulas are all licensed nurses, licensed certified nurse-midwives (CNMs), certified professional midwives (CPMs), certified doulas, or experienced home birth assistants. We also work together to provide back-up for each other.
Because our company is run by a licensed CNM, we are able to bill to insurance. We use a professional billing service to submit claims and we have been successful at getting partial or even full reimbursement for our doula service. Why Choose a Doula? A doula provides physical, emotional, and informational support to both mother and father, during pregnancy and childbirth. The doula provides continuity of care from home to hospital, and stays by the mother’s side throughout her labor. She serves as an advocate, offering support, encouragement, and suggestions to both the mother and her partner. Studies have shown many positive benefits of doulas (the numbers refer to studies listed on the References page):
When You Hire a Doula for Labor Support, You Receive All of the Following: 1. Prenatal Visits and Support Two prenatal visits for birth planning. We can help you stay comfortable, healthy, and low-risk, with pregnancy exercises and nutrition. We discuss the choices available in birth and what your desires are. We also discuss what kind of support you wish the doula to provide. We practice labor positions and relaxation. The doula is available to you 24 hours a day for questions and concerns. Additional prenatal visits may be scheduled if you wish. 2. Labor Support
3. Postpartum Visit and Continuing Support One postpartum visit at your home to discuss the birth and provide breastfeeding help. At any time after the birth, the doula may be called for questions and resource referrals. |
Contact us to schedule a free consult. The sooner you start planning the better. There is a lot to learn and we are here to help. We are happy to meet with parents even before they plan to conceive!
