Services
Warm and Client-Centered Midwifery Care
There is a midwife on call, available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Modern Community Midwifery
We offer care that is inclusive, full-spectrum, personalized, safe, supportive, and evidence-based. The practice includes several unique features, including the herbal medicine knowledge of a clinical herbalist and lactation consulting from an aspiring International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.
For clients unable to birth at home, monitrice services are available. For those with accessibility or childcare difficulties, telemedicine care is an option for visits not requiring in-person care.
Bay Midwives advertises in-home prenatal and postpartum care, hour-long visits, 24/7 access to a midwife, weeknight and weekend appointments, postpartum home visits, a second midwife at every birth, and also has a side business that offers natural light photography services.
The business will charge the community standard with payment plans and a sliding scale fee available as requested, and contracts as an out-of-network provider.
Shared Decision Making
Holistic Approach
Informed Consent
01.
Meet & Greet
This is a chance for you to ask us any questions you may have about home birth, midwifery care, who we are, etc.!
02.
Comprehensive Prenatal Care
We currently offer complete prenatal care throughout your pregnancy in the comfort of your own home! During each appointment, we will:
- Assess your baby and their development
- Listen to your baby
- Monitor your physical and emotional well-being
- Discuss your pregnancy and all lab tests, ultrasounds, and treatments available in standard obstetric care to help you make educated decisions based on what you believe is best for you and your family
03.
Components of Care
- 1 hour appointments
- 24/7 on-call support
- Continuous risk assessment, including labor assessment, vitals monitoring, fetal monitoring, and EMS transport as necessary
- Initial visits are at least an hour long and include a thorough physical exam, initial labs if necessary, and a complete medical history
- Appointments every 4 weeks until 28 weeks gestation, every 2 weeks between 28 and 36 weeks, and then weekly from 36 weeks until birth (or more often as needed)
- All standard prenatal lab tests and referral to specialists and other services as needed
- Ultrasounds provided by your choice of facility
- Family planning, nutritional, sleep, and general counseling
- Continuous risk assessment to be sure that you remain low-risk, healthy and appropriate for midwifery care
- Herbal support as indicated
- We collaborate with and refer to other practitioners as appropriate
- Co-managed prenatal/postpartum care options for those planning a hospital birth
04.
Labor & Birth
- Attendance at your birth from the start of active labor through the immediate postpartum, including an assisting midwife for the delivery
- Respectful and conscientious monitoring of the birther’s and baby’s well-being
- Guidance with non-pharmacological pain relief methods
- Antibiotics for GBS and IV fluids as needed
- Support for birth team involvement, food/drink in labor, freedom of movement, etc.
- Breast/chestfeeding support and emphasis on skin-to-skin contact and bonding (delayed cord clamping, newborn procedures, etc.)
- Water birth is an option that we support and are happy to facilitate
- We carry a variety of medications and safety equipment should the need arise and discuss all newborn procedures in advance
- If transfer to the hospital is needed, the midwife will facilitate this transition and remain with you until you are settled
05.
Postpartum & Newborn Care
- Immediate postpartum care includes: careful and conscientious observation, immediate skin to skin contact and newborn feeding support, a complete newborn exam, suturing as indicated, and thorough education about how to care for yourself and your baby
- Home visit at approximately 24-48 hours after the birth, which includes comprehensive parental and newborn exams
- Private optional lactation consult 3-5 days after birth
- Visits at 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks (or more as needed) that include newborn weight checks and emotional/physical support
- Final visit between 6-8 weeks after birth
- Complete well-child care for your newborn for the first six weeks of life including assessment of feeding, weight gain, tongue ties, and jaundice, as well as standard newborn screenings that are offered in-hospital
- Well-person care, including family planning and contraceptive counseling, STI testing, and breast/chest and gynecologic exams
- Continued support through parenthood such as referrals, information, and social visits as desired!
- Co-managed prenatal/postpartum care options for those planning a hospital birth
NOTE: We are following CDC guidelines and conducting visits via telehealth when possible to limit unnecessary exposure to COVID-19
07.
Lactation Support
- Latch support
- Tongue tie assessments
- Weight gain monitoring
- Nipple pain troubleshooting
- Herbal support for milk supply, pain, yeast, etc.
- Positioning support
- Local referrals as indicated
08.
Well-Person Care
- Pap smears and pelvic exams
- Physicals and breast exams
- Contraceptive counseling
- Fertility support
- Diet and nutrition counseling
- Basic lab work
- STI testing
09.
Monitrice Care
- Hybrid option for those planning a hospital birth, yet still seeking midwifery care
- Holistic prenatal and postpartum care
- Assistance with arranging support and creating a birth plan
- Labor at home as long as possible with the support of your midwife while receiving medical midwifery care, then transfer to the hospital for the birth
- Postpartum care for 6 weeks, including lactation and herbal support
10.
Additional Services
- Herbal support throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period
- Full spectrum care, i.e. miscarriage and abortion support
- Photography services (click for website)
Charlee did a phenomenal job balancing that energy out for us and giving us the type of support we needed. She really put our care above all else and that was so refreshing after dealing with the sterile hospital staff.
– m. b.
When choosing a midwife, an important part of the decision is finding a mutual fit. Building mutual trust is essential in midwifery care and plays an important role in your experience. We want you to feel safe and respected in the presence of your midwife, and to be able to imagine giving birth with their support and guidance. Click the button below to set up an interview to explore whether we would be a good fit for you and your family!
Serving primarily Contra Costa County including Alamo, Antioch, Bay Point, Bethel Island, Brentwood, Byron, Clayton, Concord, Danville, Discovery Bay, Lafayette, Livermore, Martinez, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Orwood, Pacheco, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, San Ramon, Walnut Creek, and more.