WHAT IS A MIDWIFE?

Midwives are health care professionals that specialize in pregnancy and childbirth. They work to develop a trusting relationship with their clients, which results in a confident and empowered pregnancy as well as a supported labor and birth. While there are different types of midwives practicing in various settings, all midwives are trained to provide comprehensive prenatal care and education, guide labor and birth, address complications, and care for newborns. Many midwives also provide preconception care and routine well-body reproductive care.

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The Midwives Model of Care™ is a fundamentally different approach to pregnancy and childbirth than contemporary obstetrics. Midwifery care is uniquely nurturing, hands-on care before, during, and after birth. The Midwives Model of Care includes:

• monitoring the physical, psychological and social well-being of the mother throughout the childbearing cycle

• providing the mother with individualized education, counseling, and prenatal care, continuous hands-on assistance during labor and delivery, and postpartum support

• minimizing technological interventions and

• identifying and referring women who require obstetrical attention.

The application of this model has been proven to reduce incidence of birth injury, trauma, and cesarean section. 

 

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A HOMEBIRTH?

The latest research on planned home birth, released in 2014 by  MANA (Midwives Alliance of North America), found that among 17,000 families had:

• Better outcomes for babies: 97% of babies were carried to full-term, and weighed an average of eight pounds at birth. Only 1% of babies were transferred to the hospital after birth, most for non-urgent conditions.

• Low rates of intervention: Only 4.5% of the 17,000 study participants required oxytocin augmentation and/or epidural analgesia. This is much lower than average for the United States, where 26% have oxytocin augmentation and 67% have epidurals.

• Low rates of cesarean birth: The 2014 MANA study also found that of the 17,000 planned home births, only 5.7% ended up birthing their babies via cesarean. This is compared to the national average of approximately 31% for full-term pregnancies.

• High VBAC success rate: For low-risk individuals, the chance of having a vaginal birth after cesarean ranges from 68-87% when birthing outside the hospital.

       Other benefits of choosing a home birth with midwives:

• Individualized care: Every decision about your care is made with you. We will have thorough conversation about your needs, preferences, values, your individual health, and the evidence regarding the options available to you. We respect you as the expert of your own body and your baby's primary care provider.

• Continuity of care: Your midwife will follow you throughout the course of your prenatal, birth, and postpartum care. At every point in your journey, you will see the familiar, comfortable, friendly face of your very own midwife.

• Evidence-based care: We stay current on the research around pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and breastfeeding so that we can provide up-to-date information to assist you in your decision-making.

• Your own environment: For many families, the comfort and security of their own home cannot be matched. You choose who attends your birth and who cares for you. You choose what to eat and drink. Walk, dance or sleep uninterrupted - it's all up to you because it's your birth!

• Unmatched postpartum care: From the very beginning of your baby's life up until to your six week postpartum checkup, De la Flor Midwifery provides the attentive and personal support as well as the education necessary for your baby's growth. We help your family bond with your newborn, develop long-lasting breastfeeding or chest feeding relationships, and heal your body in the postpartum period.

 

IS HOME BIRTH SAFE?

Home birth is a safe option for pregnant people whose pregnancies are low risk. For some babies and parents who are at higher risk for complications, a hospital birth may be a safer option. To learn more about the safety of home birth, check out these studies:

Visit the website below for more information on

Outcomes of planned home births with CPMs

https://www.bmj.com/content/330/7505/1416 

 

IS WATER BIRTH AN OPTION?

Absolutely! Waterbirth is a great option for those who desire it. We have birth pools available for rent but you would be responsible for purchasing a pool liner from us. After your birth we will empty the pool and clean up. If you want to birth in your own bathtub, that is also a great option.

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 VBAC (VAGINAL BIRTH AFTER CESAREAN)?
Most attempted VBACs are successful! Trying for a home VBAC has a high success rate - up to 87% - but there are some additional risk during labor. Some people are better candidates for home VBAC than others. Cesareans leave a scar on the uterus, that leaves some of the tissue weaker and more prone to separating during labor. This is known as uterine rupture. The risk of uterine rupture is 0.2%!!! If you have had one cesarean, you should wait at least one year for your uterus to heal before becoming pregnant again. Requirements for VBACs are having a low transverse incision.Your chance of VBAC success increases if your C-section was for what we call a "non-repetitive indication". This means the cesarean was performed for the baby’s health, not because of the actual labor process. Examples include a breech baby or abnormal fetal heart tones.

 

WHAT IF SOMEHTING GOES WRONG?

Midwives are trained to handle many complications at home and to know when a transport to the hospital may be necessary. One of the most common complications we handle is postpartum hemorrhage immediately after the birth, and we carry the same medications used in hospitals to stop the bleeding. The second most common complication in a home birth is a baby who needs some assistance taking his or her first breaths. Every midwife and birth assistant  at your birth is certified in neonatal resuscitation. Again, in this scenario, we follow the same standards as the hospital. Our most common reason for transporting  to the hospital would be during a very long labor where the birthing person becomes clinically exhausted. In this case we would discuss your options and the choice to remain home or transfer would be up to the client.