From the moment you receive your positive pregnancy test, you might find yourself eagerly awaiting your first prenatal appointment. Excited and nervous, there are just so many things to learn and so many questions to ask!

However, the standard U.S. medical model of maternity care often disappoints those looking for an individualized and holistic experience. Many people find themselves rushing to an appointment only to encounter a long wait in the waiting room. When their name is finally called, they then meet a medical assistant who checks their blood pressure and weight, only to be told they have to wait yet again for the clinician. When the clinician finally does arrive, they often are only allowed ten to fifteen minutes to discuss the client’s most pressing concerns, measure their belly and listen to the fetal heart rate.

Under these circumstances it is uncommon for a clinician to be able to spend any time discussing your excitement, your fears, your mental health, your birth wishes or provide any in-depth counseling or prenatal education. If you are instead looking for prenatal care that celebrates, educates, advocates, and elevates, then home birth prenatal care with Embrace Midwifery is what you have been looking for.

At Embrace Midwifery, we strive to provide individualized, holistic midwifery care, tailored to your wants and needs. We schedule 90 minutes for your initial prenatal appointment so that we can spend time getting to know you and you can spend time getting to know us before any physical exam is offered.

Before your appointment, you will receive an email with a link to your secure, HIPPA-compliant, electronic medical record called Mobile Midwife. You will be asked to input your demographic information and your medical and surgical histories as well as information about any previous pregnancies or gynecological concerns, if applicable. We will review this information ahead of your appointment so that we can focus on your questions and important health education during our time together.

We will discuss nutrition, exercise, and healthy lifestyle tips as well as recommended vitamins and supplements. We will also discuss your options for birth defect and genetic screening tests. We will then check your vital signs and weight. We are also able to provide a physical exam, pelvic exam, pap smear, STI screening, or breast exam, should you desire them or have any concerns. You are also able to decline this care or defer to a later appointment.

We recommend the standard panel of pregnancy lab work and all our midwives are able to perform the blood draw right in the office. If you are at least 10 to 11 weeks along, we can also use our hand-held doppler to find the baby’s heartbeat. Most importantly, we will listen to you and what you wish for this pregnancy and birth.

Regular prenatal visits and exams are offered every 4 weeks until the 28th week, then every 2 weeks through week 36 and finally weekly until your birth. These prenatal appointments may be held at our beautiful and comfortable Worcester or Dudley offices.

At each prenatal appointment we offer to check your weight, measure your belly for growth, assess your blood pressure, and listen to the baby’s heartbeat. When applicable, our team can offer all of the standard pregnancy blood work and ultrasounds as well as referrals to specialists (eg. Maternal Fetal Medicine, Physical Therapy, Chiropractic, Allergy, Endocrinology, Hematology, etc.).

We provide counseling on your options for screening for birth defects and genetic diseases and we can provide access to those tests if you choose them. We make every effort to have each of our four midwives meet with you throughout your prenatal care so that you are familiar with anyone who might attend your birth. For your convenience, or in the event of a contagious illness, we are also able to schedule certain prenatal appointments as a telehealth visit if you desire.

In alignment with best practice guidelines, at your 28 week visit we offer a blood test to screen for anemia (called a Complete Blood Count) and we discuss options for screening for gestational diabetes. We will also review our ‘home birth supply list’ and start talking about how you and your family can get your home ready for your birth!

Your 36 week prenatal visit will be held at your home with one or two midwives and your chosen birth companions. This allows us to familiarize ourselves with the location and layout of your home. We will tour your home together and make recommendations for where to place the birthing tub (if you desire hydrotherapy in labor or waterbirth) and how to set up the most comfortable space for your labor, birth, and immediate postpartum recovery. We will check to make sure you have all the necessary home birth supplies and we will even make you some postpartum padsicles to store in your freezer!

We will review the transport plan and discuss who to call and where to go in the event that you or your baby need a higher level of care before or after birth. Most importantly, we will provide reassurance in your ability to home birth your baby and nurture your excitement about your upcoming birth!

A healthy term pregnancy can last anywhere between 37-42 weeks and your “due date” is really only a “guess date.” However, if your pregnancy should continue beyond your “due date” and you find yourself approaching your 42nd week of pregnancy, we will meet with you to discuss all your options and the benefits, risks, and alternatives to induction of labor versus continued waiting. If needed, we can arrange for non-invasive tests for fetal wellbeing, like kick counts, fetal heart rate monitoring and a special ultrasound called a Biophysical Profile. We also trust that the vast majority of babies are healthiest when they “choose” their own birthday!