At 36 - 37 weeks we come to your home for a visit and leave behind most of the supplies we'll need to support your birth when the time comes. We include a birth pool at no extra cost to you. We invite your whole birth team to be at this visit so that we are all on the same page about your birth plan. The use of a doula is highly encouraged, and for first time mothers its required so that you can have adequate hands on physical and emotional support. Birth at home is permitted as early as 37 weeks but no later than 42 weeks. We do not encourage or pressure you to get a 39 week induction. We do not require an IV or restrict your eating or movement. We encourage you to use a contraction timer at home and call us in when it tells you that "it's time to go to the hospital." A great doula is good at knowing when to call the midwife over as well. We can't say enough good about great doulas! The midwife's role during labor is to monitor vitals, assess labor, and allow the natural process to unfold, supporting you in your intentions for a natural birth at home. Most of our job is after your birth when we are making sure that bleeding is under control and baby is breathing well. We carry herbs and oils to arrest bleeding as well as life saving drugs. We suture when needed and assess and monitor you and baby. We consider it a great success if during the newborn exam, none of us has even picked up the baby because you and your family members have held baby all that time and we've left you alone as much as possible aside from monitoring vitals. This is your sacred experience and we honor and respect it. It is always a privilege to be allowed into the sacred space of a birthing family.