| Heritage Birth Ministries |
| Services Offered |
Overview
I work hard to provide continuous support during pregnancy, labor, birth, and the postpartum period.
Unlike medical and nursing staff, my shift doesn't change. Barring unforeseen circumstances, I am
there from beginning to end.
I think one of the greatest benefits of a midwife-assisted birth is education. I strive to educate,
educate, educate. During the pregnancy, I will discuss the risks and benefits of health care decisions
in an objective, non-biased manner with the mother and her family so that they can make informed
decisions.
When I come to a birth, I bring with me all of the supplies needed to ensure a safe, healthy delivery.
Some of these items include: fetal doppler (to monitor baby's heartrate), basic birth equipment (cord
clamps, gauze pads, KY lubricant), basic instrument pack (umbilical scissors, Averbach cord clamper,
Hazeltine cord clamp), smelling salts, Mem-Cot, sterile gloves pack, water-soluble lubricant, sterile
surgical gloves, ring forceps, mosquito forceps, episiotomy scissors, DeLee suction, oxygen, warming
blanket, suture supplies, and various herbs used as needed during the labor, delivery, and
postpartum period.
As your midwife, I assist women seeking a natural labor and delivery. While I do not offer pain
medications, I can suggest a multitude of comfort measures. These are all tried and true techniques
which have stood the test of time and some of which are innovative and offer an alternative approach
to medicinal comfort measures such as the use of birth balls in labor and birth. A few of the comfort
measures that I use are: massage, to enhance relaxation and well-being; breathing techniques to
maintain adequate oxygenation of mother and baby and to relieve tension; and hydrotherapy to relax
muscles and increase buoyancy which relieves stress and music therapy which balances the mind-
body connection.
My primary goal as your midwife is to assist couples in creating the birth experience they want and
desire without compromising the health of the mother and baby.
Pre-Conception Visit
Some couples choose to set up a pre-conception consultation.
Some come to see me before getting pregnant so they know how
to best prepare their bodies for conception and gestation. Others
may be experiencing difficulty conceiving or carrying a child.
While I am not a fertility specialist, often just by looking at
nutrition, hormone levels, and lifestyle I may be
able to make suggestions for a successful conception.
Initial Interview
A free* initial consultation that lasts 1-2 hours. Information about
the practice, diet, nutrition, exercise, and prenatal vitamins will
be included. Common physical and emotional adjustments
associated with pregnancy will be discussed.
Prenatal Care
Prenatal visits are scheduled regularly and will take place in my
home. The visits are intended to be an informative, collaborative
and fulfilling experience designed to meet the unique physical,
intellectual, emotional and spiritual needs of each couple.
Routine prenatal lab tests, including blood type, RH factor, rubella, titer, serology, hepatitis screen,
and HIV, will be drawn and a prenatal history will be taken at your first visit.
My typical prenatal care schedule for a low-risk woman with a normally progressing pregnancy is:
During the visits, we will be talking about nutrition, exercise, and preparing for the birth. I will also
address issues relevant to that stage of pregnancy. At each visit I will check your weight, pulse, blood
pressure, and urine. I will measure your fundal height to see how your uterus is growing, listen to the
baby's heartbeat, and palpate your uterus to check the baby's position.
Lab Work*
I do not recommend or encourage the use of routine prenatal testing such as ultrasound or
Amniocentesis. I do, however, follow the recommendations for standardized maternal tests as set
forth by Ann Frye in Midwifery Today.
Blood Panel - A complete prenatal panel will be taken at the initial visit. This will included a CBC
(complete blood count) which will test the hemoglobin/hematocrit, analysis of red blood cells, white
blood cell count and platelet count, a rubella titer, blood type/Rh factor, hepatitis screen and HIV. (
GTT (Glucose Tolerance Test) - this is done between 26 and 28 weeks for patients who fall in a high
risk category.
Repeat Hemoglobin - this is taken between 34 and 36 weeks for all patients. (The cost of the repeat
hemoglobin is included in the over-all costs for midwifery care through Heritage Birth Ministries.)
Repeat Anti-body Titer - this is done between 34 and 36 weeks for all Rh- patients.
GBS (Group B Strep) - this is done between 34 and 36 weeks and is routinely offered to all patients.
Urine Analysis - this is done routinely at all prenatal visits and checks the urine for protein,
glucose, nitrites, ketones, bilirubin, leukocytes, and blood. (The cost of the urine analysis is included
in the overall cost for care through Heritage Birth Ministries.)
PKU (Newborn screening) - The majority of my patients who choose to have the PKU test arrange to
do so with their pediatrician. However, this is something I can do should the need arise.
PAP Smear - routinely offered to all of my patients at the six-week check-up.
Childbirth Classes
I offer childbirth classes for couples desiring a home birth or a low-interventive hospital birth. The
classes cover birth plans, interventions used during labor and delivery, complications, preparing for
the birth, optimal positioning, relaxation, normal labor and birth, and beginning newborn care. If you
are not a patient of mine, but desire a holistic birthing class, the fee is $250.00. If you are a patient, the
cost for this class is included in your fees.
Home Birth Class
This is a two-hour class taught in the parent's home at 35 weeks. This is REQUIRED for all patients.
Anyone planning on being at the birth is asked to attend this class. We will go over your birth plan,
birth kit, and answer any final questions that you have. We will "walk through" a "normal" home birth
experience and make sure everyone knows what their role will be (this is especially helpful if there
will be a lot of friends and relatives). We will also cover emergency childbirth, including possible
complications.
Labor, Delivery, and Post Partum
I encourage couples to call me at the FIRST SIGN of labor. Based on the information given, I will
either come to your home or continue to monitor progress over the phone. Once labor is established, I
will go to your house and do an initial labor check including mom's vitals, baby's heart rate, and a
pelvic exam.
Throughout labor, I will constantly monitor both mom and baby and assist with labor support as
needed. Following the birth, I will conduct post partum assessments of the mother, as well as a
complete newborn exam. I will stay for AT LEAST two hours following the delivery of the placenta to
observe both mom and baby and to assist in the establishment of breast-feeding.
I will do an in-home post partum visit one-two days following the birth and again at seven days, with
daily phone visits for the first week. Should a cause for concern arise at any of these visits, I will
arrange for additional exams, and/or back-up care. At three and six weeks, post partum visits will be
conducted in my office. A PAP smear will be offered at the six-week check*.
Fees
From the beginning, I have view midwifery as a ministry. Midwifery is
my passion and I would do anything I could to be able to provide
these services at little or no cost to my patients. However, over the
years, I have learned that I cannot neglect the needs of my own
family. This ministry requires me to be away from my household
duties such as cooking, cleaning, being a mom, a wife, and church
responsibilities. As you can see, my family shares in the sacrifice to
allow me to be available to you day or night - in person or by telephone -
for extended periods of time.
Additionally, there is considerable cost involved in keeping up my
education, supplies, and equipment. Because of this, I have adapted a
set fee of $2,500.00. This includes all of the prenatal and post-partum
visits, the birth class, labor, birth, and immediate post-partum care, and
the filing of the birth certificate. A $250.00 non-refundable deposit is
required on the second visit. This holds your spot on my calender and is
deducted from the total fee of $2,500.00.
Occasionally, past patients will send a special gift/donation. This is
always a huge blessing and is set aside to assist needy couples desiring a homebirth.
For complete information on fees and services, please refer to the Financial Agreement.
*All lab work is in addition to the regular fees and will be billed to the patient directly through Quest
Diagnostics. The patient is free to arrange for lab work to be ordered through her back-up doctor if she has
insurance that will cover it.
Unlike medical and nursing staff, my shift doesn't change. Barring unforeseen circumstances, I am
there from beginning to end.
I think one of the greatest benefits of a midwife-assisted birth is education. I strive to educate,
educate, educate. During the pregnancy, I will discuss the risks and benefits of health care decisions
in an objective, non-biased manner with the mother and her family so that they can make informed
decisions.
When I come to a birth, I bring with me all of the supplies needed to ensure a safe, healthy delivery.
Some of these items include: fetal doppler (to monitor baby's heartrate), basic birth equipment (cord
clamps, gauze pads, KY lubricant), basic instrument pack (umbilical scissors, Averbach cord clamper,
Hazeltine cord clamp), smelling salts, Mem-Cot, sterile gloves pack, water-soluble lubricant, sterile
surgical gloves, ring forceps, mosquito forceps, episiotomy scissors, DeLee suction, oxygen, warming
blanket, suture supplies, and various herbs used as needed during the labor, delivery, and
postpartum period.
As your midwife, I assist women seeking a natural labor and delivery. While I do not offer pain
medications, I can suggest a multitude of comfort measures. These are all tried and true techniques
which have stood the test of time and some of which are innovative and offer an alternative approach
to medicinal comfort measures such as the use of birth balls in labor and birth. A few of the comfort
measures that I use are: massage, to enhance relaxation and well-being; breathing techniques to
maintain adequate oxygenation of mother and baby and to relieve tension; and hydrotherapy to relax
muscles and increase buoyancy which relieves stress and music therapy which balances the mind-
body connection.
My primary goal as your midwife is to assist couples in creating the birth experience they want and
desire without compromising the health of the mother and baby.
Pre-Conception Visit
Some couples choose to set up a pre-conception consultation.
Some come to see me before getting pregnant so they know how
to best prepare their bodies for conception and gestation. Others
may be experiencing difficulty conceiving or carrying a child.
While I am not a fertility specialist, often just by looking at
nutrition, hormone levels, and lifestyle I may be
able to make suggestions for a successful conception.
Initial Interview
A free* initial consultation that lasts 1-2 hours. Information about
the practice, diet, nutrition, exercise, and prenatal vitamins will
be included. Common physical and emotional adjustments
associated with pregnancy will be discussed.
Prenatal Care
Prenatal visits are scheduled regularly and will take place in my
home. The visits are intended to be an informative, collaborative
and fulfilling experience designed to meet the unique physical,
intellectual, emotional and spiritual needs of each couple.
Routine prenatal lab tests, including blood type, RH factor, rubella, titer, serology, hepatitis screen,
and HIV, will be drawn and a prenatal history will be taken at your first visit.
My typical prenatal care schedule for a low-risk woman with a normally progressing pregnancy is:
- Weeks 4 to 28: 1 visit per month (every 4 weeks)
- Weeks 28 to 36: 2 visits per month (every 2 to 3 weeks)
- Weeks 36 to birth: 1 visit per week
During the visits, we will be talking about nutrition, exercise, and preparing for the birth. I will also
address issues relevant to that stage of pregnancy. At each visit I will check your weight, pulse, blood
pressure, and urine. I will measure your fundal height to see how your uterus is growing, listen to the
baby's heartbeat, and palpate your uterus to check the baby's position.
Lab Work*
I do not recommend or encourage the use of routine prenatal testing such as ultrasound or
Amniocentesis. I do, however, follow the recommendations for standardized maternal tests as set
forth by Ann Frye in Midwifery Today.
Blood Panel - A complete prenatal panel will be taken at the initial visit. This will included a CBC
(complete blood count) which will test the hemoglobin/hematocrit, analysis of red blood cells, white
blood cell count and platelet count, a rubella titer, blood type/Rh factor, hepatitis screen and HIV. (
GTT (Glucose Tolerance Test) - this is done between 26 and 28 weeks for patients who fall in a high
risk category.
Repeat Hemoglobin - this is taken between 34 and 36 weeks for all patients. (The cost of the repeat
hemoglobin is included in the over-all costs for midwifery care through Heritage Birth Ministries.)
Repeat Anti-body Titer - this is done between 34 and 36 weeks for all Rh- patients.
GBS (Group B Strep) - this is done between 34 and 36 weeks and is routinely offered to all patients.
Urine Analysis - this is done routinely at all prenatal visits and checks the urine for protein,
glucose, nitrites, ketones, bilirubin, leukocytes, and blood. (The cost of the urine analysis is included
in the overall cost for care through Heritage Birth Ministries.)
PKU (Newborn screening) - The majority of my patients who choose to have the PKU test arrange to
do so with their pediatrician. However, this is something I can do should the need arise.
PAP Smear - routinely offered to all of my patients at the six-week check-up.
Childbirth Classes
I offer childbirth classes for couples desiring a home birth or a low-interventive hospital birth. The
classes cover birth plans, interventions used during labor and delivery, complications, preparing for
the birth, optimal positioning, relaxation, normal labor and birth, and beginning newborn care. If you
are not a patient of mine, but desire a holistic birthing class, the fee is $250.00. If you are a patient, the
cost for this class is included in your fees.
Home Birth Class
This is a two-hour class taught in the parent's home at 35 weeks. This is REQUIRED for all patients.
Anyone planning on being at the birth is asked to attend this class. We will go over your birth plan,
birth kit, and answer any final questions that you have. We will "walk through" a "normal" home birth
experience and make sure everyone knows what their role will be (this is especially helpful if there
will be a lot of friends and relatives). We will also cover emergency childbirth, including possible
complications.
Labor, Delivery, and Post Partum
I encourage couples to call me at the FIRST SIGN of labor. Based on the information given, I will
either come to your home or continue to monitor progress over the phone. Once labor is established, I
will go to your house and do an initial labor check including mom's vitals, baby's heart rate, and a
pelvic exam.
Throughout labor, I will constantly monitor both mom and baby and assist with labor support as
needed. Following the birth, I will conduct post partum assessments of the mother, as well as a
complete newborn exam. I will stay for AT LEAST two hours following the delivery of the placenta to
observe both mom and baby and to assist in the establishment of breast-feeding.
I will do an in-home post partum visit one-two days following the birth and again at seven days, with
daily phone visits for the first week. Should a cause for concern arise at any of these visits, I will
arrange for additional exams, and/or back-up care. At three and six weeks, post partum visits will be
conducted in my office. A PAP smear will be offered at the six-week check*.
Fees
From the beginning, I have view midwifery as a ministry. Midwifery is
my passion and I would do anything I could to be able to provide
these services at little or no cost to my patients. However, over the
years, I have learned that I cannot neglect the needs of my own
family. This ministry requires me to be away from my household
duties such as cooking, cleaning, being a mom, a wife, and church
responsibilities. As you can see, my family shares in the sacrifice to
allow me to be available to you day or night - in person or by telephone -
for extended periods of time.
Additionally, there is considerable cost involved in keeping up my
education, supplies, and equipment. Because of this, I have adapted a
set fee of $2,500.00. This includes all of the prenatal and post-partum
visits, the birth class, labor, birth, and immediate post-partum care, and
the filing of the birth certificate. A $250.00 non-refundable deposit is
required on the second visit. This holds your spot on my calender and is
deducted from the total fee of $2,500.00.
Occasionally, past patients will send a special gift/donation. This is
always a huge blessing and is set aside to assist needy couples desiring a homebirth.
For complete information on fees and services, please refer to the Financial Agreement.
*All lab work is in addition to the regular fees and will be billed to the patient directly through Quest
Diagnostics. The patient is free to arrange for lab work to be ordered through her back-up doctor if she has
insurance that will cover it.
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
• Preconception Counseling
• Child Birth Education Classes
• Complete Prenatal Care
• Nutritional Counseling
• Laboratory Services
• Herbal Remedies & Medicines
• Postpartum Care with Home Visits
• Well Woman Gynecological Care & Annual Exams
• Birth Certificates
• In-Hospital Labor Support
• Child Birth Education Classes
• Complete Prenatal Care
• Nutritional Counseling
• Laboratory Services
• Herbal Remedies & Medicines
• Postpartum Care with Home Visits
• Well Woman Gynecological Care & Annual Exams
• Birth Certificates
• In-Hospital Labor Support
