Learn about prenatal visits, the schedule to expect, selecting a birth suite right for you, postpartum care, and baby care.
Our Center focuses on individualized and family center care. Nothing about the care you receive at OBWC will be typical. From the first day we meet you we strive to become an important part of your support team. Many of the clients that come to us have had prior birthing experiences that were not always positive. We want you to have the birth experience you envision. You will feel prepared, well informed, and supported. Our goal is to provide the safest environment for you to birth in, along with hearing your emotional, physical, mental and spiritual needs. Midwives are mentors and guide you through the prenatal process while allowing you to direct your care based on your needs.
Prenatal appointments follow a schedule of every 4 weeks until 28 weeks, every 2 weeks until 36 weeks, and weekly until you deliver. During your prenatal visits we meet in the birthing suites. You'll get to know the environment you will give birth in before you get to labor. We encourage our clients to choose which birth suite they feel fits their preference. Feeling comfortable in the environment you will labor in is an important aspect of having a positive outcome in birth. See the Earth Room Birth Suite and the Water Room Birth Suite.
Our prenatal appointments allow for adequate time to really listen and learn about the ways the OBWC team can support you. We spend time with you so we can hear all of your concerns and address your needs. During your prenatal visits you have an opportunity to get to know our staff. Our friendly, knowledgeable team is ready to help you along the way on your birthing journey. You will feel prepared and ready when you arrive for labor.
One of the unique features of our practice is our postpartum care. Your midwife will see you postpartum day 1-2, the lactation nurse visits around day 3-4, and your birth assistant will see you around 1 week postpartum. We see you back at the Center for a 2 week well check for baby and mom.
Postpartum care continues for you and baby every 2 weeks through your 6 week postpartum. Each visit will consist of care for your baby including newborn care, weight check, color, and feeding support. For mom, visits will address care for your mind, and body. As we wrap up postpartum care at your 6 week visit, we will provide guidance for choosing a pediatrician. For moms, our relationship does not have to end there. Midwives are experts in GYN and Women's Health. We can continue to see you for your annual, women's health, birth control/family planning, and primary women's health care needs.
Midwives are experts in newborn care through the first six weeks of life. Your midwife will provide all the care your baby needs during this time. If your baby has needs beyond the care your midwife provides, she will consult with one of our collaborative pediatricians. You will not need to travel to a pediatrician's office days after giving birth. All newborn care will be provided at home for the first two weeks in most cases. Most clients transition to care with a pediatrician around 2 months of age.
Care for your baby includes vitamin k, hearing screen, metabolic screen, jaundice screening, and lactation support. Your midwife will examine your baby head-to-toe and make note of all your baby's features. Your care at the center includes access to our newborn class which will help you feel prepared from birth and beyond. See our class section for more information.
