The first moments,
​in your home

Home Birth

Your birth, in your time and space.
Black and white stamped labyrinth, Link to article: Birth as a heroic journey.
Labyrinth. This ancient symbol represents the journey of the childbearing year. As you enter, pause, and return, you may recognize birth as a heroic journey.
"This ancient map - the map of the Birth Warrior - is not a simplistic road map to achieving a perfect birth or any other specific outcome. Instead, it guides you across countless inner thresholds, over unforeseen hurdles, beyond your edge, and into the unknown and uncharted territory. This map shows you ways to keep going - and to find your way 'home' again."
from Ancient Map for Modern Birth ​by Pam England
  Midwifery has historical roots across the globe dating back to ancient times. Midwives exist in oral history, historical texts, artwork, and biblical references. Midwives support you, your baby, and family in pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
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                   creativity  &  connection

Unfortunately, medicalized birthing practices often shift attention away from powerful potential of creative personal and family growth, and community connection. Centering midwifery and birth in the community necessarily shifts attention toward re-learning birth as a nonmedical event: minimizing the overuse of medical technology, preserving body- and self-integrity. 

Random time constraints and habitual restrictions lead to the overuse of medical support technology and the associated negative effects, especially in low-risk, healthy pregnancies and births. In contrast, a planned home birth with a midwife offers freedom of time and use of technology only if needed in your birth. At home, labor unfolds in a familiar protected, environment with familiar faces, sounds, smells, and microbiome, and remains an extension of your day to day family life.
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You eat and drink as usual to support the work of labor and benefit from the continuous presence of your loved ones and the Magnolia Midwifery team. The midwives, or midwife and birth assistant, attend to your and baby’s well-being throughout labor and birth using effective, low-tech methods: intermittent doppler heart rate monitoring, blood pressure cuff, clinical and intuitive understanding, verbal check-ins with you, and touch with permission.
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Freedom of time, movement, nourishment, continuous presence, and open conversations are Hallmarks of Midwifery Care and homebirth. These are not special requests included only if you ask.

Before labor we depend on you to make informed choices, accept responsibility, take good care of yourself by eating well, embracing activities that nourish your soul, find your voice, share your hopes and worries, practice flexibility, and organize your home and support team. 
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​During labor I offer a protected and trusting environment so that you can move and rest, eat and drink, and sink into Laborland freed from the restraints of rational thought, making decisions, guarding, managing, and self-control. You can trust the birth team to follow your lead in labor and birth, and offer guidance sparingly and only when needed, to promote labor progress and a safe, satisfying birth. I recognize that even supportive measures such as "helping, guiding, coaching, suggesting" can stimulate your thinking brain, pull you out of your process, and undermine your confidence. 

If you are interested in reading about the intricate hormonal dance of birth and how the medicalization of childbirth and intrusive support and observation can disrupt the birthing process, you might be interested in reading the work of Sarah J. Buckley and Michel Odent!
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​Every pregnant person receives trauma-aware care. And, if you choose to disclose a specific trauma history we work together to find your best ways to cope with potentially challenging aspects of pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding.
Interested in learning more about homebirth and my practice? Contact me to initiate a first phone contact or schedule one here. After the first phone call, the next step is an in-person consultation visit. The visit is an opportunity to share your vision for your upcoming birth and how I can serve you. During this visit, I will share information about my practice and the midwifery philosophy of care.

The First Step

Prenatal Care

Join together to create a positive relationship ​focused on your personal and family growth encompassing spiritual-emotional-physical needs, safety, and satisfaction.

A 90 minute initial visit includes a thorough history, full physical exam, and discussion about what a healthy pregnancy looks like in the context of your lifestyle.

We meet for prenatal visits in the Farmington Valley or Plymouth/Terryville office monthly during the first and second trimesters, every 2 weeks from 28-36 weeks, then weekly from 36 weeks until birth, or 42 weeks. The 36 week visit is a 1-2 hour visit in your home.

In-office prenatal lab work and referrals for ultrasounds are provided as needed.

Attend the Nitty Gritty class for you and your birth team to prepare for labor and birth at home.

Experience Birthing From Within mini-modules and supportive measures to sharpen your decision-making skills in line with your values.
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Receive referrals for specialized care. 

Childbirth

I support your strength in labor, follow your lead, & avoid interruptions or interferences promoting your confidence and safety.​

24/7 access to the midwife: I am available by phone to answer your questions and concerns as labor approaches and progresses at home.

Our team includes two midwives or the midwife and a birth assistant. We will come to your home to monitor and offer our continued presence during active labor, birth, and postpartum. 

One-on-One Care: Early labor support is individualized to your needs. We pland to arrive at your house for active labor and until 3-4 hours postpartum. Our goal is to follow your lead while holding the space for a safe, peaceful, supportive, and protected environment tailored to your needs.

Freedom of movement: Walk; go outside; sit on a ball, the floor, the bed, the toilet; float in water; rock in a chair; squat, kneel, and find any other position that feels right to you.

​Movement in labor is not only an essential part of labor comfort, expert and novice birthers intuitively discover the best positions to help their babies find the best way earthside! We also offer suggestions based on our experience.
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Water birth Option: Water birth tubs are available to you. Set up, deflating, and packing is the family responsibility. The birth team helps keep a steady temperature in labor and empty and clean the pool after birth. Take a look at setting up your birthing tub: Birth Pool in a Box Mini

Postpartum

The birth team remains with your family until 3-4 hours postpartum.

The midwife returns for in-home postpartum visits on days one, three and 2 weeks. The final 4-6 week postpartum visit is in the Farmington Valley or Plymouth/Terryville office. You will receive a phone checkin at 5-7 days.

The postpartum visits include well-baby exams up to 28 days. Referral to your pediatrician is made for anything outside of the ordinary. Your pediatrician will receive the newborn birth records upon your request and before your baby's first pediatric visit. Newborn well-care ends with your first visit to the pediatrician or at 28 days.
Newborn care may include:
  • Infant nutrition support
  • Monitoring of baby's weight gain
  • Assessment of jaundice
  • Newborn screening
  • Hearing screen referral

Screening and treatment for postpartum depression and anxiety

24-hr access to the on-call midwife for postpartum support

Contraception discussion

Connection with Connecticut (CT) community organizations to promote a healthy transition as a NEW FAMILY!

The First Step

     Connecticut homebirth families begin with a free consultation visit with the midwife prior to the first prenatal appointment. At the visit we discuss birthing at home, your needs and desires, my experience and approach to birth, and midwifery care. Discover if Magnolia Midwifery is the right practice for you!
     It is likely that you've done a bit of research on homebirth and know others who have birthed at home. It is also likely that those closest to you have not. Encourage those who will be at the consultation visit to watch a homebirth movie and visit information sites prior to your visit. This can be especially important for anyone reluctant about your decision to birth at home. Suggestions include: Why Not Home (video), Business of Being Born series (video), Rebecca Dekker's What is a homebirth?
MANA homebirth statistics.

The Timeless Way