My Mindful Birth | Isabelle Guillou CNM [Home Birth Practice]

“Home? Why not? Homebirth is simply about giving birth to your baby in the comfort of your own home, supported by people whom you know and trust. It is about feeling in control of the birth process, free of unnecessary restrictions or interventions, free to move and use any position that feels right to you. Homebirth is about celebrating a new life and creating long lasting memories as a family.”

“As midwives, we believe that birth is a normal physiologic process that unfolds optimally when a woman feels safe, unwatched and uninhibited. We believe in undisturbed birth and that when we intervene in birth, we also disempower women.”

Prenatal visits: “Your care follows the same schedule of traditional obstetric appointments. Each prenatal appointment is done in our office and takes about an hour in length, giving us plenty of time to develop a solid, trusting relationship. At each visit, our care is thorough and personalized, we focus on nutrition, stress management, so that you have the healthiest and most well rounded pregnancy experience possible. We also make the appropriate clinical assessment, obtain lab specimens standard to pregnancy, give referrals as needed, address all of your questions and concerns and create an individual birth plan.”

Labor & birth: “We’ll meet you right where you are, with the unhurried attention you deserve, to guide you towards a safe and joyful experience, with memories to cherish and a source of strength and courage for life. We provide continuous support and encouragement to the laboring woman and help her find strength. At times, just being there with a laboring woman can be enough. These makes it less likely for a woman to request pain medication or need medical interventions.”

“Our midwives are on call 24/7 to serve your needs or address your concerns and attend births.”

Water birth: “Labor tubs create a semi-concealed retreat for the laboring mom. For many, this is more comfortable than laboring out in the open in view of the birth team and aids in relaxation. Relaxation is crucial to an easier and less painful labor. Warm water helps to soothe tight and tired muscles, providing significant pain relief. The buoyancy of the water helps the laboring mother conserve her energy as she doesn’t have to support her full weight, this makes any position changes easier. The freedom and ease of movement in and of itself can decrease the sensation of pain. Between contractions, many women enjoy relaxing while allowing their bodies to float. Increased relaxation allows women to dilate more quickly resulting in a shorter labor on average and reduces medical interventions including c-sections, episiotomies, and the need for stitches. It can also help to lower blood pressure.”

Postpartum & newborn care: “Our team remains with you for 2-3 hours following delivery, making sure that mom and baby are adjusting well. The new family is supported with bonding as a new unit, the new mother receive assistance with breastfeeding support, and has the opportunity to eat, drink and rest.”

“Before we leave, we make sure that all assessments are done and that the new parents receive information on what is normal and would prompt a phone call to the midwife. We also make a plan to follow up by phone at least once or twice until we return the next day for a postpartum visit. This first visit is typically done by 24-36 hours after delivery and a second visit is done by 36-84 hours. A final postpartum visit is done by 4-8 weeks postpartum with a focus on well women health and family planning. Our postpartum recovery visits are done at home.”

“Questions? We will be happy to meet with you and answer your questions. Your first consultation is free.”

Home birth is appropriate for low risk women. A consult will be scheduled to make sure that you are a good candidate.

Most women who have had one previous c-section and a low transverse scar are good candidates for a trial of VBAC. You should plan to call the midwife to discuss your history to determine whether you can safely deliver at home.

In the past year, the practice has attended 60 home births, with one transport to the hospital, for a transport rate of 1.7%.