PRENATAL CARE

Your appointments will last about 45 minutes providing ample opportunity to ask questions and discuss your pregnancy and birth. Your family members are always welcome at prenatal visits… siblings love to help with prenatal visits! Your appointments will happen in our comfortable office space in downtown Gainesville. Virtual visit are an option too!

LAB WORK AND ULTRASOUNDS

Prenatal labs include genetic screening, blood counts, and screenings gestational diabetes and GBS. Having symptoms of a UTI, yeast or BV? We can test and provide treatment for that too. A routine anatomy ultrasound is scheduled at 18-24 weeks with UF Health Women’s Center. Typically one ultrasound is performed unless further indicated.

ON-CALL AVAILABILITY

Your midwives are available to you 24-7 for urgent needs or concerns. During your pregnancy we’ll provide education about normal pregnancy symptoms as well as what to look out for,

LABOR AND BIRTH

You’ll have a care team of 2-3 at your birth. Your team will be available to you completely during the labor and birth process. During labor your midwives will be sensitive to your needs, whether that is quiet and privacy or words of encouragement and hands on support. Our priority will always be the health and safety of you and your baby.

We are experienced with water birth and land birth. We’ll meet you where you’re at! Your baby will be welcomed gently into the world, surrounded by the people you have chosen to be with you for this experience.

THE FIRST HOURS

After your baby is born, your midwives will stay with you for several hours. The first hour is a special time for bonding with your family, as well as the beginning of the breastfeeding relationship. During this time we’ll be ensuring you and your baby are stable and adjusting well.

Following this, we’ll perform a complete newborn examination, including weight and length. Your baby will be right next to you during this exam so any questions you may have can be answered immediately.

After making sure that you and your baby are settled down comfortably, breastfeeding is off to a good start and the house is clean and tidy, we leave your family to bask in the joy of a new life...and take a well-deserved nap!

heather shields photography

THE FIRST FEW DAYS

You and your family will be encouraged to “nest” in the first few days. This is a time for the new family to connect with the newborn, establish breastfeeding and recover from the physical exertion of birth. Your midwife will contact you in the first 24 hours, and make a home visit at 24-48 hours. As with your prenatal care, we are on call and available to you if you have questions or concerns.

THE FIRST FEW WEEKS

Over the first six weeks postpartum your Midwives will be available for support and any questions you may have. We’ll come to you for a home visit at 2 weeks and see you back in the office for your last visit at 6 weeks postpartum. We can discuss establishing new routines, returning to work, and family planning or contraception options. If you’re due for cervical cancer screening or labs we can provide that as well.