Midwifery and Doula Care
Pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood are normal events in a woman's life that has the potential to be extraordinary and empowering. It is our goal to support you through your journey by providing care that is holistic, respectful, and personalized. This means unrushed visits that offer plenty of time to answer your questions and address your concerns; customized recommendations regarding lifestyle and nutrition; informed choice on all procedures and tests throughout your care; and much more. Our mission at PachaMama Midwifery is to serve you while protecting the sacred art of gentle birth.
Midwifery Care
Why should you choose PachaMama Midwifery?
- Nurturing care throughout your entire pregnancy, birth, and up to eight weeks postpartum.
- A free hour-long consultation and getting-to-know-you visit to answer questions and address any concerns you may have about midwifery care
- Free pregnancy testing
- Hour-long prenatal and postpartum appointments
- All the same prenatal testing options that women offered by other obstetric providers, including genetic screening, blood tests, and cultures
- Referrals for ultrasounds as needed or desired and consultations with physician specialists, as needed.
- Midwives on-call 24 hours a day for any questions or concerns that may arise.
Is Homebirth Safe?
Homebirth has proven to be a safe option for women who are healthy and don't have any medical conditions that would put them or their baby at risk. However it is possible for complications to arise at unexpected times during any pregnancy or birth.
PachaMama midwives are trained to identify risk factors and consult or refer to other specialty care providers as needed. If a complication should arise during your labor or birth and transfer to the hospital is necessary, we will go with you to the hospital to serve as advocates and act as labor support for the duration of your labor and birth.
“The largest study of home births attended by Certified Professional Midwives, as published in the British Medical Journal has found that home birth is safe for low risk women and involves far fewer interventions than similar births in hospitals.”
Click here to read the PDF article.
–Citizens for Midwifery fact sheet ‘05
Midwives Alliance of North America References on Safety of Homebirth
What is a Licensed Midwife?
In California, qualified midwives are licensed by the Medical Board of California to “provide prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum care, including family-planning care, for the mother, and immediate care for the newborn.” In order for a midwife to qualify for licensure, she must successfully complete an accredited three-year postsecondary midwifery education program approved by the board as well as “a comprehensive licensing examination which is equivalent, but not identical, to the examination given by the American College of Nurse Midwives.” For your safety licensed midwives carry medications to treat a variety of intrapartum complications, along with oxygen and IV therapy. In addition, LM's are certified in both neonatal resuscitation and CPR.
(Licensed Midwifery Practice Act of 1993)
Do homebirth midwives take insurance?
Out-of-network coverage (often around 60% of all costs) is available for clients with PPO insurance plans. Custom payment plans are also available for all of our clients.
Doula Care/ Hospital Support
Why choose an PachaMama doula?
- Professional, dependable, loving aid for the entire duration of your labor and birth.
- Meetings during your pregnancy to discuss everything from your preferences to your fears around birth
- As licensed midwives we also include nutritional and lifestyle counseling as part of your doula services
- Close phone contact from the moment labor begins until you are ready for our support.
- Physical, emotional and informational support to you and your partner during labor: including massage, encouragement, ideas for positioning and comfort, and advocacy.
Clinical studies have found that a doula's presence at birth:
- Results in shorter labors with fewer complications
- Reduces negative feelings about one's childbirth experience
- Reduces the need for labor augmentation, instrumental delivery, and cesareans
- Reduces the mother's request for pain medication and/or epidurals