Birth Center & Home Birth Midwifery Care
Your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care matter to us! We believe that birth is normal and that it unfolds best when there is a relationship of trust between the birthing person and the care provider. We offer family centered care, your partner and any older children are always welcomed. We strive to offer inclusive care for all pregnant people and follow evidence-informed care, shared decision making and informed consent.
Your care includes comprehensive prenatal, labor/birth and postpartum care
Your birth will be attended by a Licensed midwife and another skilled birth attendant.
Prenatal care appointments take place at our birth center located in Redondo Beach. We schedule prenatal visits for 1 hour which gives plenty of time for you to ask questions, receive thorough answers and engage in meaningful discussions relevant to your pregnancy, birth and postpartum periods. Visits follow the standard schedule: 1 visit monthly until 28 weeks, every 2 weeks from 28-36 weeks, and then weekly until you give birth.
During your visits we will assess the health of you and your baby. We will also provide holistic care that includes nutrition, lifestyle, stress reduction, exercise and natural remedies for various pregnancy discomforts. We include routine lab work such as blood draws and cultures that are typical of prenatal care which may be billed to your insurance.
Labor, birth and newborn care on your big day. You will be in touch with the midwives during early labor and we will decide when it is time for you to come to the birth center or for us to join you at home (depending on your birth location.) During labor we will monitor you and your baby to ensure that all is well as you progress through labor. You will have the freedom to move around and birth in the position that you choose. After birth we will assess you and your baby in the immediate postpartum. We provide breastfeeding support and a complete newborn exam, which is performed within a few hours of the birth.
Postpartum and newborn care after your birth. Postpartum care for the birthing person and for the newborn is included through six weeks following birth. Postpartum visits take place 24-48 hours after birth, 5-7 days postpartum, at 3 weeks and 6 weeks. We check on your newborn’s vitals and and weight during postpartum visits as well. All newborn standard screenings are offered including the California Metabolic Screening, Breastfeeding and cardiac screening. Support is provided and a referral is given when appropriate. We discuss the big transition and adjustment you experience as a family with a new baby. Routine screening for postpartum depression and mood disorders is included in postpartum care. We discuss family planning, charting, and offer a PAP smear when appropriate.
Waterbirth
Many of our clients choose to give birth in the water. We have options for water birth in our birth center and for home births. Some of the benefits of a water birth include: source of natural pain relief, promotes relaxation, can prevent tearing, increased sense of well-being and sense of control, enables a gentle birth experience, allows for ease of movement and positional changes, and many new families cherish their memories of water birth.