Pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period are some of the most profound transformation experiences a woman goes through in her life. Midwives recognize this time in a woman’s life that is full of change and sometimes uncertainty that requires loving and respectful guidance along the way. The process of birthing a baby is incredibly challenging work, but work that holds great potential for being the most rewarding and empowering experience in a woman’s life. We are there to support you and your babies full well being — emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
To help guide you through this wonderful experience, additional care is provided following birth to help improve your postpartum experience.
Many cultures believe in honoring and respecting the sanctity of the time between birth and six weeks. Those individuals also believe that a woman’s activity level in combination with the care she receives postpartum will affect her recovery and lifetime health. When provided with the nurturing and support required, mothers and their babies are stronger, healthier, and more securely bonded to one another. Mothers who are honored and cared for during this sacred time are able to recover physically and emotionally from the work of birth and postpartum.
Postpartum services are equally important to the rest of the birth experience and I will continue to be available for any questions and also follow up within a day or two as well as a few weeks later to check:
Midwife Responsibility
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- Perform a Maternal well-being exam.
- Address any postpartum bleeding.
- Fundal height and firmness.
- Address any breastfeeding problems or concerns.
- Perform a perineal exam, if necessary.
- Review any psychological or emotional concerns of the Mother and provide a referral, if deemed necessary.
- Ensure your newborn:
- Is breathing normally,
- Exhibits no signs of infection,
- Is nursing and voiding without difficulty,
- has a cord that healing properly and
- that baby is having adequate sleeping and alert periods in accordance with age.
- Perform a newborn screening test between 24 hours to 7 days and share the results with you when available.
- Provide you with all necessary information for registering your newborn with the state.
- Postpartum visits will occur within 48 hours, 2 weeks, and 6 weeks.
Parent/Family Responsibility
- Provide an environment for the mother and baby that is conducive to rest and recovery from the birth.
- Have friends, family or professional help available in the first week to help with household chores in order to provide time for maternal-infant bonding and family adjustment.
- Call immediately with any concerns.
- Schedule follow up visit with pediatrician or family doctor for newborn.
- Schedule a six week postpartum visit with the midwife.
