Prenatal Care

Heart of Texas Midwives follow the same schedule of prenatal visits as physicians. 

BUT we spend an average of one hour for each visit. The midwives check vitals signs of mother & baby and take time to educate and counsel clients on a deep level.  We establish a personal relationsip with you and get to know you and your desires for the pregnancy & home birth.  We become partners on your journey.  We provide a warm, private and caring envioronment in our office for prenatal & postpartum visits.  Spouses/partners, children, & other family members are welcome to each visit.

First visits
* comprehensive health history

* complete physical exam (with pap as needed)
* prenatal blood tests are discussed and drawn at our office

* a notebook written by the midwives is given to you and reviewed.  It contains detailed information on how to care for yourself during pregnancy, birth, and after.  The notebook is yours to keep.  We refer to the notebook through out our care for you and your baby.

Return visits
* vital signs of mother: blood pressure, pulse, weight, & urine test.                           *exam of the baby: growth, the baby's heart beat and position
* nutritional counseling                                                                                                 
* prenatal education, discuss birth desires & emotions to prepare for labor, home birth, breastfeeding, & beyond
* home visit at 36 wks

Ultrasounds/Sonograms:  We discuss sonograms and refer to several different providers depending on your desires or needs.

*Austin Perinatal Associates, Dr. David Berry

*Hill Country Prerinatal, Dr. Celeste Sheppard

*Central Family Practice

*Bluebonnet Diagnostic Imaging

*Austin Radiological Association & others

Labor and Home Birth Care

Pre-labor/early labor: attendance and support as needed
Active labor:
*continuous labor support by midwife
*maternal assessments and baby's heart beat checked
*no 'routine' interventions
*freedom of movement, eating and drinking
*husband or labor partner offered guidance to enhance involvement,
including assistance in catching the baby
*birth plan respected
*coordination of care/transfer/constant attendance in labor if hospital care necessary.

Home Birth:
*freedom of birth position, including soaking in warm water\ water birth
*cutting of the cord delayed and no separation of mother and baby
*uninterrupted breast feeding as soon as mother and baby are able
*emergency equipment and medications provided as needed

Postpartum Care

Immediately postpartum
*minimum of 3 to 5 hours of continuous care after birth or until mother & baby are stable
*physical exam on baby
*newborn bath, if desired
*birth linens washed and birthing area cleaned

Postpartum follow up
Home Visits Day 1 & 3, Office Visit 1 week:
*physical exams on mother & baby
*baby weighed and checked for jaundice
*breast feeding assistance
*education & emotional support
*newborn metabolic screen, day one

2 weeks after birth:
*baby is seen by a pediatrician or other health care provider to begin routine well care and second metabolic screen
4 to 6 weeks after the birth of the baby:
*gyn exam (including pap if needed)
* family planning/contraception if desired

Office Locations

We see clients for most prenatal visits our new office 4407 Medical Parkway, Austin, TX 78756.

You choose a primary midwife for prenatal & birth care. You will have the opportunity to become familiar with Mary & Debra during your pregnancy, birth and postpartum period. We are planning a group model of care so that friendships are fostered among our clients and our clients know both midwives very well. See Centering Pregnancy
www.centeringhealthcare.org

Service Area: Central Texas Counties

* Travis
* Williamson
* Bastrop
* Caldwell
* Hays