While we aren't "catching babies" anymore, we can still provide care in the postpartum period, in addition to what your main OB provider offers. We want each of our clients to feel seen, heard, and supported in what can be a challenging and isolating transition from pregnancy to life with a baby.
Additional Postpartum Visits Before 6 Weeks
The standard American schedule of routine postpartum check-ups only at 2 and 6 weeks postpartum is wholly inadequate for many new parents. Whether it's for help in processing your birth experience, learning more about newborn care and soothing, asking about the normalcy of various feelings, thoughts, aches and pains, or just unburdening yourself to a midwife about how hard this all is in the first few weeks, we got you. We can connect you with resources and specialists as needed, for you and for baby. We recommend coming in well before 2 weeks postpartum, especially if you are trying to exclusively breastfeed, because it's important to identify problems and work on solutions as soon as possible.
Breastfeeding
Our IBCLC (Internationally Board-Certified Lactation Consultant) can help you with any breastfeeding problems, and will see you in the first week if you develop sore nipples or ‘latch’ problems. Our goal is to give you the support you need to succeed in feeding your baby in whatever way is right for you. For many of our clients, this means exclusive breastfeeding to at least 6 months or more, as recommended by the AAP, though we provide non-judgmental support for any feeding choices that are right for your family. While breastfeeding is indeed "natural," that in NO way means that it is easy. Getting timely and expert help, if and when you need it, can make the difference between meeting your breastfeeding goals or falling short of them. If you are hoping to exclusively breastfeed past the 6-month mark, working with a clinic that has highly-trained Lactation Consultants, who can see both moms and newborns as 'patients' under their supervising clinician's license, and who are invested in helping you reach your goals, is absolutely essential.
Mental Health Support
Our team supports the mental and emotional health of our postpartum clients in several different ways. We have a Licensed Professional Counselor here, named Jasmine Porter. She has her PMH-C credential through Postpartum Support International. She provides in-person and telehealth counseling in our office. Our Nurse Practitioners also have a lot of experiencing managing mental health medications such as SSRIs, SNRIs, etc. for our clients. Our whole office team is also here to help connect our clients with individualized resources and recommendations depending on their needs, for support and connection within the community.
"Matrescense" is a momentous transition!
The journey from pregnancy to motherhood - especially with your first - is a massive shift in your body, your emotions, and your very sense of self. If your gut is telling you that you need more support and medical attention than you are currently getting from your main OB provider, you should heed that voice and come see a midwife - the original caretakers of pregnancy, birth and postpartum for most of human history.