What we offer

 Pregnancy & Nutritional Counseling
Individualized Prenatal Care
Complete Risk Screening & Evaluation
Labor Support
Portable Birthing Tub for Easier Labor
Postpartum Care
Complete Newborn Evaluation
Parent and Sibling Education
Breastfeeding Support and Counseling        
Weekend and evening appointments

What you can expect

First of all, you rarely have to wait for your appointment. When you show up for a 10am appointment (for example), that is exactly when you will be seen. It is rare that you would have to wait for your turn. The reason for this is because we schedule visits at half an hour intervals.  You have the full half an hour for your prenatal visit, if you desire or need it. We schedule this way to make sure we have time to get to know you and your specific needs and concerns.

The first prenatal visit is the longest. We will take a complete medical history and do a risk assessment for homebirth. We also evaluate your general well being. We will draw some blood for a complete prenatal lab work up. Under normal conditions, this is the only blood draw we do during your pregnancy.  In the middle of the pregnancy, we will get a blood sample by a finger prick to check your iron count. Occasionally, the need may arise to do a finger stick to check your blood sugar levels. Sonograms and other testing are only done if necessary or upon request. 

At every visit you will be responsible for collecting a urine sample, weighing yourself.  We will then take your blood pressure, pulse, and temperature.

During your visit we will ask you how you are doing physically and how you are feeling.  We feel the pregnant woman knows her body better than we do.  We listen to your concerns and answer questions you may have.  We will measure your growing uterus, palpate what position the baby is in, and listen for heart tones.  We have several ways to help you and your baby to be in the best condition possible for labor and birth.  These may include seeing a Chiropractor to help change your baby’s position, exercises to help prepare your body, and a reading list that we find helpful for our expecting families.

Your visits will be scheduled every 4 weeks until your 28th week, when your visits will change to every two weeks.  When you reach your 36th week we will see you every week.  These visits will usually be done in our office.  The exceptions to this are your 36th week appointment and your 24 hour and 5 day postpartum visits, these will be done in your home. 

There are quite a few things that will be done at your 36th week appointment.  First this is the week when you can have your baby at home.  This visits allows us to get familiar with how to get to your home.  We ask that, if possible, persons (family, friends, etc. . .) who will be present at the birth, be at this visit so that we may answer any questions or concerns they may have.  This is also the perfect time to handout assignments, if you have any (such as photographer or other children’s attendants). 

When your Birth day does arrive, you are the one that will make the decision when to call us and discuss if this is labor and when we will come out to you, what position you will birth your baby in, who is there with you, what to eat and when, and where your baby will be birthed (whether in water, on a birthing stool or even in the comfort of your own bed.)  This is the birth of YOUR baby, we are here to support you in achieving the birth you want.  We do not cut an episiotomy, we encourage you to touch your baby as he/she is being born and encourage our dads to “catch” their baby’s whenever possible, and we never rush the delivery of the placenta.  We encourage family bonding.  We will take care of cleaning up and changing your linens (if needed).  When you are ready, we will perform the newborn exam right there next to you.  We usually will stay 2-3 hours after the birth.  After this time we may be contacted by phone with any concerns or questions you feel you need us for.

Postpartum visits are scheduled at 24 hours, 3-5 days, 2 weeks, and 6 weeks.  The second newborn exam is done on your two week visit.

We strive for personalized care during this most precious event.  For more information or just to talk with us please call us.

Our fee schedule

Our service fees are billed all together in a global fee.  This fee includes:

All Prenatal Care - including office visits & 1 home prenatal visit at 36 weeks (the prenatal schedule is described in another paragraph of this brochure.  If more visits are needed, they are also included.  

Complete care during labor & delivery - I stay with you throughout the labor, even in the event of a transport.

Postpartum Care through 6 weeks for mother & baby - This includes home visits as needed in the first week and office visits at 2 weeks and 6 weeks.  

Lab services and sonogram (if needed or requested) must be paid for at time services are rendered.

Your Personal Birth Kit: I provide your birth kit at 36 weeks gestation. It contains the consumable items we use for a birth (sterile gloves, bed pads, etc). There are a few other needed items, which you probably already have on hand. These items are not included but should not cost much if anything. (if you wish to put your own birth kit together, please subtract $50 from the global fee.)  Breastfeeding support and birth readiness classes are included but are also required, and telephone counseling whenever needed.    Our total global fee is $1250.00

Expenses not covered in the global fee are: 

 Sonograms

 All lab work

 Herbs, vitamins, and medications

 Physician referral

 20% of this global fee is due by 20 weeks and must be paid in full by 36 weeks.  A payment plan of your design must be submitted and agreed upon by your 20th week.

 For Angie’s clients:  If you live within 20 miles of Saratoga Springs, and desire all home visits, please add $150.00.