PRENATAL CARE

Prenatal care is an important part of a healthy pregnancy.  We believe in personalized, holistic prenatal care that may encompass physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health. Prenatal care is vital to track you and your baby's health during pregnancy but also to develop plans for the labor, birth and postpartum.  

 

The midwifery model of care focuses on building a trusting relationship and is uniquely nurturing, so we make sure to allow plenty of time in each visit. The first prenatal visit is 60 minutes and 45 minutes for follow up prenatal visits. 

 

Heart of Iowa Midwifery strongly believes in women being fully informed so they can make their own healthcare decisions.  We will support you through individualized education and shared decision making. We also strive to provide updated, evidence-based care during the course of your pregnancy. 

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HOMEBIRTH

Having a baby should be a positive and empowering experience. Our focus during your home birth is to create a safe and comfortable environment for you to welcome your baby into the world.  We will support you to bond immediately with your baby in the comfort of your home. 

 

A midwife and registered nurse will attend your home birth to help guide and support you through labor and birth.  You also have the option to invite a doula, other support people, and/or a photographer.  Kids are welcome to attend the birth and this is often a very positive experience for the whole family. 

 

Water birth is an option as well and we provide birth tub rentals.  Many women enjoy the relaxation and pain relief that warm water provides during labor and birth.  

 

After the birth, the midwife and registered nurse will stay with you until both mom and baby are settled in and comfortable. We will clean up everything, start a load of laundry and leave the home looking just like it did when we arrived. ]

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POSTPARTUM CARE

Our job isn't done once the birth is over.  We will remain in close contact with you throughout your postpartum period and will stay on-call for any concerns and questions.  The postpartum period is a very important time when the mother is transitioning not only physically, but also to a new role in life.  We are committed to caring for women throughout this sacred time.  We provide a home visit at 24-36 hours postpartum followed by an office visit at 2 weeks and 6 weeks. 

 

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NEWBORN CARE

Midwives are trained to provide care of healthy newborns throughout their first month of life. We will help you navigate how to care for your new baby, support you whether you decide to bottle feed or breastfeed, and be available for whatever questions you have about your baby. 

 

During your 24 hour postpartum visit at home, we will offer routine newborn screening which includes metabolic screening, CCHD (critical congenital heart defects) screening and hearing screening.  We will examine baby to make sure they are well, check their weight and help with breastfeeding as needed. We will also help you fill out and send in their birth certificate at this 24 hour postpartum visit. 

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WELLNESS VISITS

Heart of Iowa Midwifery cares for women at all stage of their life from puberty to menopause. You can schedule your yearly well woman physical with us.  We will provide a health screening, physical exam, routine laboratory work and a Pap smear as needed.

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WOMEN'S CARE

We provide comprehensive women's care including preconception care, family planning counseling, and problem focused care (such as menstrual cycle issues, abnormal bleeding, urinary or vaginal infection, STD screening, etc).