Serving Danville, Champaign-Urbana, Charleston, Mattoon, Decatur, Hoopeston, Monticello, Tuscola, Arcola, Lafayette, Covington, Veedersburg, Attica and surrounding areas
Birth is often seen as something painful and tedious to be endured, yet I believe bringing a child into this world is a unique rite of passage too often marginalized in our society. I believe that midwifery is not medicine, and birth is not a medical event. I believe that pregnancy and birth are completely normal life events for which we are designed.
I am a mom of four, a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM), International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), and continually maintain certification in CPR and Neonatal Resuscitation (NRP). In the past I have been certified as a birth doula by both DONA as well as the Madriella program. I work with collaborating professionals and physicians to provide unrivaled quality of care, especially compared to the traditional hospital birth setting. These rigorous standards have qualified me to attend normal, low-risk births at home.
Empowered, low-risk home births are my specialty.
Research has continually shown that for healthy, low-risk women, a planned home birth attended by a midwife can result in positive outcomes and benefits for both mother and newborn.
Although part of what I do as a midwife is “watchful careâ€, most of what I do is to help empower you to find your own way through this process that is, after all, your pregnancy and birth. I am your advocate, advisor, and coach on what is “normal.†I encourage you to ask questions and learn as you go. Whenever possible, I will not manage your care with a cascade of unnecessary interventions, but I will provide information and education that will enable you to provide the best care for your pregnancy and your baby based on your personal needs and situation
Sometimes, however, the birthing process deviates from normal, and in these cases it may become necessary for you to seek institutional medical care. If this happens, you will be advised of your options and I will assist in seeking the appropriate healthcare provider for your situation and then respectfully transferring you into their care.
I look forward to walking with you and feel privileged to watch you grow physically, emotionally and spiritually during this process.
Home Birth Midwifery Services include:
7-12 PRENATAL VISITS
These visits can take many forms, and are uniquely up to you, guided by your needs.
On-Call 24/7
For the month surrounding your “due date” as well as during your postpartum period, I am on call for you and available anytime, day or night, 24/7, to answer questions via phone, text, and/or email. If for some reason I am not available I will arrange another midwife to be on-call.
Continuous Labor Support
Continuous support means I will be by your side from the moment you say it’s time until after the post-birth bonding period is well-established with your sweet child.
Immediate Post Birth Support
After birth, I will help you establish breastfeeding and make sure you are comfortable. I will stay to make sure everything is normal at 2-3 hrs post birth.
Postpartum Support
Postpartum I will come to your home for 3 in-person postpartum visits. We will talk about breastfeeding concerns, healing concerns, emotional concerns and nutrition.