Vivante Midwifery

Midwifery for Every Body

 

Holistic, Mindful, Inclusive Care

During our prenatal visits we pride ourselves in developing a respectful, trusting relationship with you. We want you to feel safe and empowered to facilitate your sense of agency and become active participants in your care. You will not feel shamed, be stigmatized, or coerced. Our care is individualized. We honor the diversity of each person’s experience and the power of informed consent. We recognize our words and actions matter, therefore we are intentional with our touch, our presence, and our presentation of information. Our care integrates current research and evidence-based practice with holistic midwifery wisdom.

  • Two hour initial visit that includes a thorough review of your medical history, inquiry regarding your physical and spiritual well-being, routine blood draw, and ultrasound referral, if needed

  • 60 minute prenatal visits to establish a trust-based relationship and provide you with individualized care

  • Nutritional health and support

  • Monthly visits in our office until 28 weeks of pregnancy

  • Bi-monthly visits from 32-36 weeks of pregnancy

  • Prenatal home visit between 36-37 weeks

  • Weekly office visits from 37-42 weeks of pregnancy

  • Prenatal blood draws in our office and referrals for ultrasounds

  • Available by phone and email for questions & concerns

  • Midwife accessible 24/7 for urgent needs

  • Medical consultation and referral are available as needed

  • Provide an extensive local resource network for doula services, childbirth classes, acupuncture, massage, etc.


Labor & Birth Care

Each birth has its own beauty and complexity, no matter how many times you have done it. Some people need a team surrounding and providing them with verbal and physical support while others prefer solace and draw inward. Some desire to use water as a coping tool or want a water birth while others need their feet firmly planted on the ground. We meet you where you are because we know the journey into parenthood is transformational and sacred, but also demanding and unpredictable. As your midwives, we bring clinical knowledge and decades of experience alongside our deep trust in physiological birth. During your labor we are listening to your baby’s heartbeat and checking your vital signs regularly to ensure safety and well-being. We are also prepared to manage emergencies that may arise, albeit they are not common.

Our experience and education have taught us how to listen to and decipher when bodies and babies are telling us they are not coping well. This means birth sometimes looks different than expected and using interventions or transferring to the hospital is protective. While the setting may change, our support and advocacy is continuous. Transferring care does not have to translate to losing your voice or your power. We remain by your side regardless if we are laboring and birthing at home or in the hospital.

  • Supporting home birth from 37-42 weeks of pregnancy

  • Midwives available 24/7

  • Providing continuous care and support during active labor, birth, and the first 2-4 hours postpartum

  • Birthing tub

  • Assisting in the delivery of your baby or supporting you and/or partner in catching your own baby

  • Emergency skills training and access to life-saving medications and equipment

  • Continued support in the hospital if transport is necessary


Postpartum Care

  • Complete physical exam of your baby after birth

  • Administration of vitamin K and eye ointment for the newborn, if desired

  • Newborn screening tests

  • Lactation support

  • Pulse oximetry testing, jaundice checks, and weight assessment for your newborn

  • Postpartum education and informational handouts for the new family

  • Availability to clients by phone anytime for questions or concerns and 24/7 accessibility for urgent matters

  • Regular postpartum visits for you and your baby, including 3 home visits and 2 office visits

  • Extensive local resource network available for postpartum doula services, lactation support, parenting groups, craniosacral therapists, pelvic floor services, etc.

Photo Credit: LAUREN LABARRE

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Planned Hospital Birth

For the client who wants the attentive, personalized care that midwives provide, but feels safest birthing in a hospital setting.

  • Hour-long prenatal visits to promote trust-based relationship and individualized care. Frequency of visits is the same as our home birth families.

  • Regular postpartum visits for birthing parent and newborn. Care will begin in your home following hospital discharge, which typically includes 2 home visits and 2 office visits.

  • Midwife availability 24/7

  • Birth doula services (optional)


 

Our Philosophy

Birth is a normal event in life. Low risk people with healthy pregnancies can safely have a natural childbirth in their own home under the care of qualified midwives, and with fewer medical interventions. There is also a science and an art to midwifery. We find that balance by integrating evidence-based knowledge with ancient wisdom and insight. We ask families to share responsibility with their midwives for health care decisions that affect them and their baby. We are committed to helping you achieve a safe and empowering birth experience.

Health care disparities exist and we want to be part of the solution. We do this by providing personalized and compassionate care where all individuals feel safe and respected regardless of racial or gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-econimic background, body size, family structure, age, circumstance, or belief system.