Prenatal Care

The care before your baby comes is the heart of midwifery care. It is during prenatal visits where you and your midwife get to know one another. Visits are one-hour long and children, family or friends are welcome to accompany you. Prenatal visits cover normal pregnancy growth and development, nutrition, the discomforts of pregnancy, preparation for your birth and parenting, breastfeeding, family/sibling adjustment, and providing resources for you in the area in which you live. A lot of time is also spent addressing the questions and concerns you have.

Some time during prenatal visits is also spent discussing the labwork/tests that are available to you during your pregnancy. Your midwife will provide you information to help you decide which tests are right for you and your family.

Prenatal care also includes routine clinical assessments: checking your vital signs, measuring your uterus, feeling your baby's position and growth, and listening to the baby's heartbeat.

“One thing I love about Aly is that she not only focused on how I was feeling related to my pregnancy, but also how things were going in other parts of my little world, knowing that external pressures could impact my pregnancy and delivery. Every time I went to a prenatal visit, I learned something new from her (and this was my THIRD pregnancy! I thought I knew it all already).” -- Sarah R.

Labor & Birth

Your midwife believes that birth is normal. This philosophy guides all the care that is given during your labor. The relationship developed between midwife and family over the course of prenatal care, combined with the comfort of being in your own home, creates a wonderful environment so that you can birth your baby as you are so well designed to do. Anyone you wish to have with you during your birth experience is welcome -- family, friends, children, or doulas.

It is the midwife's role to support the natural process of labor. Some of the ways this is done is by encouraging mobility, using the birth tub or shower, eating and drinking freely, and providing emotional support. For the safety of you and your baby, the midwife will also monitor your vital signs and the baby's heartbeat regularly throughout labor. At the time of birth, fathers/partners are encouraged to catch their own babies and/or cut the cord after it has stopped pulsing. Your baby will be born into your arms and will stay with you at all times. Breastfeeding is encouraged as soon as possible after the birth.

Another part of the midwife's job is to recognize when labor is no longer normal. Often there are warning signs before complications arise which your midwife is trained in recognizing and responding to. Sometimes this may mean going to the hospital for extra help, in which case, your midwife will accompany you.

Immediately following the birth, your midwife will monitor you and your baby to ensure a smooth transition and recovery. The midwife will perform a head-to-toe newborn exam including baby's weight and measurements. Before leaving your home your midwife will provide information on what to expect from your body and your baby in the first few days. Your midwife will also still be on-call for you should any concerns arise for you or baby.

“When I went into labor, it was quite a bit earlier than expected and our planned home-birth wasn't an option. Aly knew exactly what to do and calmly put together a plan that turned out to be the best possible situation for us. We couldn't have done it without her, and every day I feel blessed to have had her as my midwife through my pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care.” -- Adriane G.

Postpartum Care

To support the best possible adjustment to life with your new baby, your midwife provides 6 postpartum visits.

Home visits on days 1, 3, and 7 after the birth to check on breastfeeding, newborn weight gain, and you and your baby's overall wellness
Office visits at 2 and 4 weeks
And a final 6-8 week visit to wrap up your care
24-hour availability to respond to any concerns that you might have

“Having never been pregnant before, I was very overwhelmed with all that is contained. I started my prenatal care through more traditional routes, but after feeling unsettled and unsatisfied with the impersonal nature of care I received I looked into my options. Having almost zero knowledge of home birth options my husband and I did as much research as we could. After getting a better understanding we reached out to Aly. After our first meeting I knew that Aly was the right fit for us. Aly served as equal parts coach, advisor, cheerleader and educator. The care Aly gave my husband, my self, and my daughter was without doubt the best I could have received. The post natal care was exceptional, she visited my home after the birth and helped us all get adjusted as a new family. I have friends that are amazed that I did a home birth and they often shockingly ask me if I would do it again, I am always quick to answer "in a heartbeat."” -- Meghan L.

Services Provided by North Star Midwifery

Prenatal Care

Labor & Birth

Postpartum Care