It's Never To Late To Have The Birth You Want

Let me begin by saying I cannot tell you how proud I am when I have consultations or inquiries from potential clients who are looking to transfer care because they started their pregnancy one way and through personal education, reading and seeking of information they have realized they need  to change course. 

I get it, let’s break it down.
It is a BIG DEAL emotionally to decide part-way through your pregnancy to change providers. Sometimes families change plans, for example by postponing a move, just so that they can continue with their current provider!
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What would make an expectant person decide to change providers? Well, it could be a variety of things…birth stories from friends/family, information they learned from books, childbirth classes, and online videos/stories, or just an intuitive feeling. There are multiple streams of information influencing us and educating us at any given time. Any single question or point illustrated could lead you to decide you want choices or that what you want aligns more so with an out-of-hospital birth versus one within the hospital system. (Delayed cord clamping that lasts longer than 30-60 seconds, freedom to eat/drink in labor, the ability to move freely in labor verses being strapped to multiple cords/devices and laboring solely in bed, just to name a  few).

Logistically, it is easy to change providers once you have decided to do so!
Now what? What are the next steps? You may choose if desired, to call or meet with your current/previous healthcare provider if you wish to discuss your reason(s) for changing providers. This is not necessary or expected. This is your choice. Once you have met with and established a relationship with me as your midwife, I will have you sign a simple one-page medical records request form that I will then fax to your previous healthcare provider.

This will then notify the provider you are transferring care and they will
send your medical records, labs, ultrasound reports, or other information as it pertains to your pregnancy. We schedule an appointment at your convenience to continue your prenatal care and move forward with your new journey towards your birth.

When is it too late?
While I would prefer to have enough time to establish a relationship with you prior to labor, it is only too late once you’ve delivered. You do need to note that I may not have availability the closer your estimated date of delivery (EDD) draws near as others may come into care and I limit my practice to be sustainable and to offer each client my best. To date, the latest I have had a client transfer into care has been around 35 weeks. Never say never though.

It’s not too late to decide you would like work towards a home birth. I would be thrilled to walk alongside you, helping to prepare you for that much anticipated day of your baby’s arrival.

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