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Doulas are primarily for emotional and physical support during labor, and can serve women no matter where or how they choose to birth. A doula's role is non-medical.

Midwives are generally a woman's primary care provider during her pregnancy. As a midwife, I see clients for routine prenatal appointments, monitoring the physical well-being of both mom and baby. I also attend the birth and immediate postpartum, offer routine newborn screenings, and then continue to care for both mom and baby through about six weeks postpartum. I maintain all health records electronically in an online portal that my clients have access to in perpetuity, making it easy to consult and collaborate with other providers as necessary.

My credentials are CPM, meaning I am a Certified Professional Midwife. I do not have a nursing background and therefore only attend births in an out-of-hospital setting (nurse midwives, or CNMs, may work in hospitals). I am licensed in both Minnesota and Iowa, which allow me privileges such as being able to order ultrasounds for my clients with providers near their home, and provide in-office lab work by contracting with an outside company.

I see clients on basically the same schedule as an OB or any other care provider. Appointments are held at my office in Wells, Minnesota. Visits are generally an hour long, meaning there is lots of time for education, questions, and decision-making. I never assume you want a certain style of care - what you choose or don't choose is up to you.

I offer routine lab work in-office, and can order ultrasounds with providers in your area. All of your information is kept in electronic health record, which you can access through your client portal.

Around week 36 of your pregnancy, I'll come to your home for one of your routine visits. At that time, we can talk about the logistics of setting up your home for birth. At that time I also give you a bin with most of the supplies you'll need for your birth. I also generally have a pool available for clients to use if they want waterbirth as an option. We also talk about instances in which we might need to seek a higher level of care at a hospital, and what we do in case of emergency.

Once it's time to meet baby, we stay in touch until you're ready for me to come to you. When I come, I bring a host of equipment, include herbs and medications to control bleeding and resuscitation equipment for baby in case he or she needs some extra help after birth. During your labor, I can be as hands-on or hands-off as you like. I also plan for a second person to attend with birth with me as well, generally another midwife or a trained birth assistant.

Physiologic birth is always my goal, meaning I leave the experience as undisturbed as possible while making sure everyone is safe and stable. Baby goes to your chest, and the cord isn't cut until it is done doing it's job of delivering blood and oxygen to baby - usually after the placenta is delivered. I stay for a minimum of two hours after birth, though a bit longer is typical. We tidy everything up, start a load of laundry and make sure everyone is stable and comfortable before saying goodbye.

Postpartum care is a little bit up to you. I do another visit at home between 24 and 36 hours after baby is born, at which time we check in on how things are going, and I perform any desired newborn screenings. I'll do another phone check in during the first week, and then see you back in the office either two or three times in the next six weeks, depending on your preference.

Absolutely! I am passionate about empowering my clients to be in charge of their own health and well-being, no matter where they want to have their baby. Appointments are generally an hour long, meaning there is lots of time for education, questions, and decision-making. I never assume you want a certain style of care - what you choose or don't choose is up to you.

I do not, though I can provide you with a superbill and may be able to recommend private insurance billers you can work with. I am familiar with health share organizations , such as Samaritan Ministries, and can provider the necessary paperwork you will need.

One thing I do recommend is looking into as early in your pregnancy as possible (or prior to pregnancy) is a gap exception. The more that people start asking for coverage for home birth, the more likely it is to potentially gain some traction for being eligible for coverage someday in the future.

I also offer a discount for those on state insurance.