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Questions Q. What should I expect throughout my prenatal care? A. Safe, gentle, nurturing care that respects you, your family and your beliefs. Information about pregnancy, birth and newborn care. Planning with you for the rare emergency.
Q. How long do visits last? A. Visits last 30 to 60 minutes and allow plenty of time for questions.
Q. What happens during a prenatal visit? A. We will be doing the routine care of measuring your belly, listening to your baby's heart beat, checking your blood pressure and pulse, and doing a lot of talking about pregnancy, labor, birth, postpartum care and parenting issues.
Q. Can I birth at home? A. Yes.
Q. Will I have to lie in bed during labor? A. No, you will have the freedom to move, eat and bathe in labor and birth in the position of your choice. We will monitor you non-intrusively throughout labor.
Q. What is Waterbirth? A. Waterbirth is an all natural birthing method which helps reduce the hours and stress of labor. Your baby starts life in a relaxing, familiar environment-- the water.
Q. Will the baby be taken away after it's born? A. No, there will be no separation of mother and baby.
Q. What do you offer postpartum? A. Two home visits, one the day after birth and another 3 to 5 days after birth, providing you live within a 45 minute drive. Also, a two-week and six-week visit, both done at the Birth Cottage.
Q. What kind of education does a midwife have? A. Licensed Midwifes graduate from a 3-year direct entry program, sit for their Florida Midwifery Boards and obtain licenses through the Department of Health. They are then licensed as independent practitioners. and are able to provide maternity care and deliver babies in homes, birth centers or hospitals, but mostly deliver in out-of-hospital settings.
Q. How much does it cost? A. The cost of care and treatment at the Birth Cottage is significantly lower than in other facilities. In fact, all insurance companies, HMOs and Medicaid cover all or most of the fees. Payment plans are available.
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