Labor and Birth Care

Pre-labor/early labor: attendance and support as needed
Active labor:

• continuous labor support by midwife
• maternal assessments and baby's heart beat checked
• no 'routine' interventions
• freedom of movement, eating and drinking
• husband or labor partner offered guidance to enhance involvement, including assistance in catching the baby if desired
• a personal birth plan is encouraged and respected
• coordination of care during transfer and constant attendance during labor if hospital care becomes necessary.

Birth:

• freedom of birth position, including soaking in warm water or water birth
• cutting of the cord delayed and no separation of mother and baby
• uninterrupted breast feeding as soon as mother and baby are able
• emergency equipment and medications provided as needed

Postpartum Care

Immediately postpartum

• minimum of 2 to 5 hours of continuous care after birth or until mother & baby are stable

• physical exam of baby

• herbal bath provided for mother and baby, if desired

• birth linens washed and birthing area cleaned

Postpartum follow up

Day 1 & 4 (in your home if needed)

• physical exams of mother & baby

• baby weighed and checked for jaundice

• breast feeding assistance

• education & emotional support

• first newborn metabolic screen

2 weeks after birth:

• Postpartum follow up of mother and baby

• 2nd newborn metabolic screen

6 weeks after the birth of the baby:

• final postpartum visit for mother and baby
• gyn exam with pap if needed (or scheduled for 12 weeks postpartum)

This is a video taken of Ethan Gregory's herb bath less than one hour after he was born. Notice how comfortable both Ethan and his mother are in the water. Babies spend the first nine months of their lives in water, so they feel right at home in the herb bath. However, if the mother is not comfortable with them being there, if she does not relax, neither will the baby.

Jessica is very relaxed, so Ethan is too. Herb bath time is a great bonding time. The color of the water is caused by the herbs we use. These herbs are soothing and healing to both mother and baby.

Office Location - Corpus Christi, TX

Most clients receive their prenatal care in the midwife's office located behind her home at 340 Naples St, Corpus Christi, TX 78404

Beth Overton is the Certified Professional Midwife and is licensed to provide all normal prenatal & birth care. She has birth assistants (apprentices) who work as a part of her birth team to insure that you and your baby are well cared for during labor. You will have the opportunity to meet and become familiar with the birth team during your pregnancy, birth and postpartum period.