Do you know that you have options for your care provider during pregnancy and that not all providers are created equal?
- Midwives are the gold standard around the world, yet in the U.S., midwives only attend about 10% of all births.
Have you asked your provider what their cesarean rate is? How often does a woman get IV Pitocin or other interventions in their care?
- The US has a national cesarean section rate of 32.2%! One in three births that start in the hospital will have a cesarean. The overuse of surgical birth does not lead to better outcomes. Unfortunately, the US is ranked 60th in the world for maternal mortality during childbirth. In countries with the lowest maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality, midwives are the primary care providers and will consult with OBs, as needed. Even then, the midwife will continue care alongside of the obstetrician’s care.
How long does your care provider spend with you during your labor? Birth? Postpartum?
- Midwives have excellent results due to having low provider to patient ratio, continuity of care prenatally, birth, and postpartum, continuous labor support, encouragement of movement during labor and various birthing positions.
How much information or time is taken to discuss with you all of your options?
- Midwives spend about 30-60 minutes at each prenatal visit to make sure that all of your questions are answered, to discuss upcoming screenings and to explore all of your options. We spend more time with you prenatally to provide education and to get to know you. This might include nutrition counseling, emotional and social support. You are an active participant in your health care. We believe that by providing you with all of your options and information you will make the choices that work best for you and your family.
Did you know that obstetricians are skilled surgeons but have little experience on normal, physiological birth? This article provides an even more in-depth view of the differences between Physicians and Midwives.
- Midwives start out knowing that pregnancy and birth are normal, natural events. My years of training are to know when pregnancy, birth, or postpartum are moving outside of the range of normal and needing different care. Which is exactly when an obstetrician is the appropriate care provider. We appreciate the skills of a trained surgeon when they are absolutely needed for the best outcomes.
Healthy Families Homebirth is all about building relationships. Midwives build a relationship with you and your partner throughout your pregnancy. We provide emotional and physical support during the birth of your child. We continue your care through the first year postpartum to help meet your needs. Relationships are important in midwifery, and having strong relationships lead to healthy outcomes for birthing families.
Midwives believe in the power of shared decision making. We provide you with educational materials and answer your questions. Taking time with you is part of the midwifery model of care. We want you to have the information needed to make the best choices available for your health care. We support you in making beneficial lifestyle choices for you and your baby. Our goal is to help you to stay healthy and happy during your pregnancy. Knowledge is power and we want you to have the most empowering experience of your life.
Healthy Families Homebirth is an all-inclusive midwifery practice and continuously, actively working towards social and racial justice. All races, class, genders, religions and body sizes are welcome.
Cheryl Furer is the primary midwife of Healthy Families Homebirth. Cheryl Furer holds a Bachelor of Science in Midwifery, Master of Arts in Resilient Leadership and is Adjunct Faculty at the Midwives College of Utah. She’s also an Integrative Health Practitioner and a Certified Homeopath. This allows her to bring a holistic view of health to her practice at Healthy Families Homebirth in Longmont, CO.
She serves the areas surrounding Longmont, including, but not limited to, Berthoud, Mead, Johnstown, Platteville, Fort Lupton, Firestone, Fredrick, Erie, Lafayette, Louisville, Gunbarrel, and Hygiene. Please contact her for a free midwifery interview.