We are a two-midwife homebirth practice in which we share the joys and responsibilities of our work equally.  We attend all of our births together, meaning that there are two fully trained midwives at every birth.

Prenatal care is provided by one or both of us at our downtown Arcata office.  These visits last an hour, and are done with the same frequency as prenatal care given anywhere else: once a month for the first 28 weeks, then every other week until 36 weeks, then weekly until the birth.

We are available around the clock for attending births.  We come to people's homes whenever they are ready for our support during labor.  Most births occur naturally and safely within a wide range of normal.  When bumps in the road do come up, we are prepared with medical equipment, as well as head, hands, and heart skills that can remedy many situations.  After the baby is born, we do not leave the home until everyone is stable, breastfeeding is established, the house is restored to its original state, and everyone is tucked in bed.  Among other tasks, we do a complete newborn assessment, and suture if there is a tear. 

Our services include comprehensive postpartum care, which is done in the home. In the first week after the birth we come every other day, and we visit again at 2, 4 and 6 weeks.  We come more frequently if there is a need or a difficult post partum issue.  Postpartum visits usually last a couple of hours, as we check on mom, baby, breastfeeding, and answer questions.  We also make time to process the birth, postpartum emotions, and anything else that comes up.   

A large part of what we do is aimed at helping clients understand their options so that they can make choices about their health care that resonates with their own values.  Some families may want to walk the most conservative path, utilizing as much medical technology as we have to offer; others may wish to avoid as many interventions as possible, letting nature take its course.  Wherever an individual woman or family falls on that spectrum, our job is to maximize their understanding of their options in a way that allows for their self-expression and self-determination without a compromise in safety.

Although our backgrounds and training are quite different, we are blessed to share a common vision and management style in our midwifery care.  To read more about our education and experience, click on our names to the right...