Midwives are experts in NORMAL birth and are the standard and preferred maternity care providers throughout much of the world, not coincidentally in countries where health outcomes for moms and babies are ranked the best.

Midwives view pregnancy and birth as healthy, normal processes that call for supervision and care. In the midwives model of care, the childbearing woman has the central role. A midwife addresses the psychological and emotion health as well as the physical health of the mother and seeks to empower the woman by helping her master the challenges of pregnancy and birth.

Midwives Model of Care™
The Midwives Model of Care™ is based on the fact that pregnancy and birth are normal life events. The Midwives Model of Care includes:

• monitoring the physical, psychological and social well-being of the mother throughout the childbearing cycle
• providing the mother with individualized education, counseling, and prenatal care, continuous hands-on assistance during labor and delivery, and postpartum support
• minimizing technological interventions and;
• identifying and referring women who require obstetrical attention

The application of this model has been proven to reduce the incidence of birth injury, trauma, and cesarean section.
The Midwives Model of Care definition above is Copyright © 1996-2001, Midwifery Task Force, All Rights Reserved.

There are many pathways for training for midwives.

“The standard of care for out of hospital birth midwives in the US is becoming a voluntary certification through the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM). This certification is the CPM or Certified Professional Midwife. *The CPM credential, is not degree-oriented or program-based. A college degree is not required, and the emphasis is on what you know rather than how you learned it. The rigorous credentialing process validates that you have all the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to practice as an entry level midwife, as determined by a comprehensive task analysis involving hundreds of midwives encompassing the full range of midwifery from Certified Nurse Midwives, to apprentice-trained rural midwives. *

“Lack of national certification or licensure does not necessarily mean that the midwife lacks the knowledge or skill to practice the Midwives Model of Care. At the same time, just because a person is a midwife does not guarantee that they provide the Midwives Model of Care. Therefore, if you are looking for a midwife, ask questions to find out if an available midwife (or other caregiver) will be able to meet your needs and provide the kind of care you seek.”
Citizens for Midwifery
Unfortunately the culture of birth in America leads some to believe that initials after a name provides some assurance that simply cannot be guaranteed. Choosing your midwife is a very individual decision based primarily on two considerations:  the skill and experience of the midwife AND your comfort, trust in and ability to communicate with her.

First, schedule a free consultation appointment to ask any questions and make sure you feel comfortable with us and our services. When you are ready to schedule your first prenatal visit just print out the Client Medical History Form and either bring it with you to that first appointment or submit it here.

It is important to the midwifery staff that you have an opportunity to meet all of the midwives here and to insure that you will be comfortable and familiar with everyone that will be attending you for your labor and delivery. Getting to know the staff happens during prenatal visits.

Most of our clients come in between 8 and 12 weeks pregnant. Please do not hesitate to schedule your first visit when you feel it is necessary even if it is before 8 weeks.

Unless you have issues or concerns that would require more frequent visits, our prenatal schedule is every 4 weeks until you are 28 weeks along, then every 2 weeks until you are 36 weeks along, then every week until you have the baby. If there are any concerns and we need to see you more often, we’ll do so.

At these visits your midwife will check your vital signs, weight, and urine. As it becomes possible to do so, she will check the baby’s heart rate and the position and growth of the baby. Ample time is provided to answer your questions and address your concerns, but as with all care at The Baby Place, if you feel you need more time to discuss a particular topic, please just ask. We tailor all our care to meet the specific needs of the family. Some mothers (especially those with other children) appreciate that we are able to be thorough and quick in their appointments, others need the full appointment time to cover all their needs.

Yes, however, we do not require any ultrasounds during your pregnancy.

We do not offer childbirth classes ourselves, but we do recommend a variety of independent childbirth educators whom we feel provide excellent classes. Please see our list of childbirth educators and feel free to contact them for information.

This will be answered for you during your prenatal visits as one standard simply cannot be applied to every woman.

From the care provider side, we usually have 3 midwives (or 2 midwives and one assitant) at each birth. We want to assure you we are not all in the room with you all the time, but also to assure you that we are diligent about monitoring mother and baby. We monitor you unobtrusively and work hard to maintain an effective balance to our presence in your space and your need for privacy.

You may invite anyone you wish to be there. However, there is very limited space at the birth center and there are good reasons and “not as good” reasons to invite people to your birth. We hope you will seriously weigh the pros and cons to having other people with you in the birthing room. Please only allow people who are supportive of you and your plans for your birth. Fear is a powerful force that can impact your body, your birth and your baby adversely. You need strong support and encouragement during your labor and you absolutely do not need to be taking care of other people’s needs, nor should you need to perform for them. It may seem like a good idea to have a lot of people you love with you in birth, but you should ask, what if takes well over 24 hours? Will you be concerned about those people? Only invite those who will truly strengthen, affirm and help you. It IS all about YOU this day. This is YOUR birth.

Every family is different and most family members of Baby Place clients (especially the returning ones) are so supportive. If you have family who needs education and reassurance, we invite you to bring them with you to one of your appointments and give them that opportunity to ask questions. Usually, this puts fears to rest. You can check out books and videos from our library or order from our bookstore to share with them if you feel that would help.
Some clients choose to keep their choice of how, and where they are giving birth private until after the baby arrives, but ultimately, you know your family best, and you know best how to interact with them on this topic. One last point about this. It is our job to protect everyone in our birth center—our staff as well as our other laboring families. We reserve the right to limit the number of people in the birth center during a birth. We will ask them to wait in your (or their home) for your baby to born.

A midwife is an expert in normal birth. She is trained to keep things normal, and if complications do occur, to recognize and correct them. The most common complications in birth can be safely handled by the midwife. In the rare case that a complication arises she cannot correct, your midwife will quickly get you to a hospital where you can get the best medical attention.

We will be happy to help your partner through the process if that is your common desire. Four handed “catches” with a midwife’s hands supporting are welcomed as well. Just let us know that is what you’d like and we’ll do our best (depending upon the circumstances at the time) to make sure it happens that way.

Of course your children may attend, but whether you want them to depends on both you and your children. Most children do very well at births, especially if they are prepared (through books and videos, which you can check out from our library). However, very young children may be too little to understand and may be frightened, frustrated, or bored and they may require your partner’s attention just when you want it most.
The laboring mother is most important and so to allow you to concentrate on your own needs during your labor, having another adult who is charged solely with the care of the small children is very important. They should be ready, willing and able to take the child (children) out of the room if necessary.

YES! We will diligently monitor your baby using an intermittent method in regular intervals (and, additionally, any time we feel it necessary). We use a hand-held doppler which gives you freedom to move and assume any position you wish.

No. Although IVs are available for things like the treatment of group B strep, general hydration and emergencies, we do not routinely use an IV in labor.

We are committed to protected your perineum. In our opinion, an episiotomy should only be done as an emergency measure and while we have done it as necessary, it is extremely rare in our practice.

The definition of “pre-term” is 37 weeks gestation (3 weeks before your estimated due date) because there is a significant risk that the lungs will not be mature enough for the baby to breathe without help, and other organ systems may also be underdeveloped.

Many times babies are “overdue”, especially first babies. Contrary to popular opinion, the risks of postmaturity do not begin to increase significantly until 2 completed weeks after the estimated due date. We are content to let babies come when they will. Induction by any method entails risk. However, there are times when a health problem or other issue makes it worth it to take those risks. If you find yourself in this situation, speak with your midwife about your options.

Yes. we have birth balls. The birth ball is very helpful to laboring mothers.  It can be used in many different positions.

Yes, we have a state-of-the art birthing stool and we love its presence in the birthing room! The supported squat is remarkably helpful during pushing.

At the Baby Place Birth Center, each of our private birth suites has its own large birthing tubs. Often referred to as “the midwives’ epidural”, there are many benefits to laboring in water:
- Reduces sensory stimulus, thus producing less stress-related hormones

– Increases production of pain inhibitors, i.e., endorphins

– Decreases blood pressure

– Increases ability of the mother to focus

– Reduces the sensations of pain

– an analgesic effect

– Increases skin elasticity, reducing the amount of perineal tearing

– Gentler birth for baby
Unless circumstances require another position, you may give birth in whatever position or place feels best to you.

Just ask our families. We have served well over 1500 families with outstanding outcomes. We are proud to say most people learn about us from their friends, families and colleagues. We are grateful for the continued and consistent direct word-of-mouth referral from our families – the best compliment we could get.

Yes! We love waterbirth. The birthing suites have wonderful tubs. Please view all the photos on our website for glimpses of the birth tubs and women laboring in them.

Pharmacological or drug pain releif (such as epidural) is not available. What we offer are many natural methods of comfort and pain relief. For example, laboring in one of our 3 birthing tubs is highly effective for relief and comfort but we also use many other tools and techniques to help you work through and with your labor. While most women agree birth is hard work, women are varied in their perceptions of pain levels during birth and it may be helpful for you to know that historically, less than one percent of our clients require transfer to hospital for pain medication.

A doula is a professional labor support person and we love them. We easily integrate good doulas into the birth as we find them to be so helpful to both the partner and the mother.

Yes, the vast majority of women seeking VBAC meet the criteria for Idaho licensed midwives to be able to care for them in pregnancy and childbirth . We have cared for many women who wanted a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). All were excellent candidates and had successful vaginal deliveries with excellent outcomes for each mother and baby. We welcome you to come and visit with us if you are interested in a VBAC.

Breech deliveries are riskier than vertex (head first) . We will check the baby’s position at every prenatal visit during your last two months. If your baby turns breech, we will give you many resources to help return it to a head down position. For example, we will give you various exercises and techniques you can use to help encourage the baby to turn. Idaho law does not allow Licensed Midwives to deliver breech babies.

Twins are higher risk than a singleton pregnancy and delivery, and we do not knowingly deliver them out-of-hospital.

The first postpartum check occurs in the first 24 hours after delivery. The next postpartum visit occurs in the following 48 to 72 hours. Subsequent visits are usually at two weeks and six weeks after delivery. Your midwife will check both you and the baby to be sure you are recovering normally. You’ll also have a chance to discuss any concerns or questions you may have. If we are doing the Newborn Metabolic Screening for you, your midwife will do them at the first and second postpartum visits.

Absolutely! While many insurance companies cover the cost of our care, paying for care out-of-pocket can often be less expensive than the cost of premiums, deductibles, and co-payments. All self-pay clients will have a fee review during the tour and consult or at their initial visit.
Payment schedules are available.

We have tried to implement several options to make payment of your professional midwifery healthcare easier: 1) You can create your own payment plan within our 25% by 20 weeks, balance by 36 weeks structure. 2) We take credit cards (Visa, M/C, Discover) so you can extend out your payments as long as your card issuer will let you.  AND you can pay online any time of day or night.

No. We have found if we offer a discount to latecomers, some women choose to delay or skip prenatal care in order to save money. We do not want to encourage this practice because we believe good prenatal care is fundamental to a good birth outcome. So, we offer our services in packages that include prenatal care, whether it be many visits or few.

Generally, if you withdraw from our care for any reason prior to the onset of labor, you are entitled to a refund of all monies paid minus the cost of each prenatal visit.