Midwifery Model of Care

The Midwives Model of Care is a fundamentally different approach to pregnancy and childbirth than contemporary obstetrics. Midwifery care is uniquely nurturing, hands-on care before, during, and after birth. Midwives are health care professionals specializing in pregnancy and childbirth who develop a trusting relationship with their clients, which results in confident, supported labor and birth. All midwives are trained to provide comprehensive prenatal care and education, guide labor and birth, address complications, and care for newborns. 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 to incidence of birth injury, trauma, and cesarean section.
(Midwives Model of Care definition is Copyrighted by the Midwifery Task Force, all rights reserved)

We provide compassionate, holistic care throughout the childbearing year.
We serve the four state area of Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia (Jefferson, Berkeley, Hampshire), and Pennsylvania.
Any questions please call us at 301-788-0113.

Prenatal Care

• Prenatal visits continue every 4 weeks from 12-28 weeks, every 2 weeks from 28-36 weeks and weekly until the birth
• Prenatal visits are in our office or your home and may be up to an hour long as we take time to get to know the birthing family
• Care is individualized according to the standards of traditional midwifery
• We use laboratory tests and ultrasound imaging based on your informed choice
• We are available to you by phone for the entirety of the pregnancy and post partum period according to your needs

Birth Support

• The midwife is available to you by phone 24/7 and on call for your birth after 36 weeks of pregnancy. You always speak directly to the midwife, there is no answering system!
• Once labor has started, your birth team arrives at your home and sets up necessary supplies
• We offer continuous labor support, birth care, immediate postpartum care and clean up

Postpartum Care

• Preparation of sitz bath herbs with instructions for use to promote postpartum healing
• In home wellness check for mother and baby 24-48 hours after birth
• In home wellness check for mother and baby 5-9 days after birth
• In office wellness check for mother and baby 6 weeks after birth
• Breastfeeding support
• The midwife is available by phone during normal business hours for 6 weeks postpartum
• Filing of state official birth certificate and newborn metabolic screening specimen

Birth Pools

If you are looking for a water birth, we have birth pools available. Cost for rental of a pool is $250. Please speak to us during one of your prenatals to find out more or call us to rent one. Click here to view the type we offer.

Birth Kits

Home birth kits are included in the price of service. Clients are provided with disposable birth supplies in a keepsake canvas tote bag. Our birth kit includes:

• Chux pads
• Disposable undergarments
• Sanitary napkins
• Cord clamp
• Sterile gloves
• Straws
• Peri-wash bottle
• Alcohol swabs

Nora Tea

At Morning Light Midwifery, we mix our own herbs. NORA tea contains organically grown Nettles, Oat Straw, Red Raspberry Leaf and Alfalfa. The tea is available in the office for sale or on our online shop. We recommend drinking NORA tea after 16weeks.

The beneficial properties of NORA include the following:
Nettle leaf:

• Reduces water retention and is high in Vitamin K, which helps control and prevent hemorrhage
• Contains one of the best sources of digestible plant iron and is rich in calcium, Vitamin A, and chlorophyll
• Strengthens the kidneys and adrenals, which get taxed during pregnancy
• Strengthens the blood vessels and maintains arterial elasticity which can help prevent hemorrhoids and varicose veins
• Supports your body to maintain a normal blood pressure
• Postpartum, in the production of breast milk making it nutrient rich for the newborn

Oatstraw:

• High in calcium, Vitamin B, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron
• Nutures the nervous system which enhances your ability to cope with stress
• Tones the uterus
• Strengthens thyroid
• Balances hormone production
• Lowers blood sugar and is useful for fluid retention
• High in magnesium which helps with irritability and calcium absorption
• Supports vascular integrity which can help with varicosity

Red Raspberry:

• High in bioflavenoids, Vitamins B, C, and E, potassium, iron, and phosphorus
• Tones the uterine muscles
• Tonic and relaxant actions on the smooth muscles of the uterus act to reduce the pain of uterine contractions during childbirth and makes them more effective and productive, shortening the duration of labor.
• Soothe the kidneys and urinary tract
• Aids in lowering blood sugar levels
• Can help prevent excessive bleeding after the birth

Alfalfa:

• Rich in calcium, trace minerals, and Vitamins E & K and carotene
• Purifies the blood
• Soothes the digestive tract
• Aids in balancing the intestinal flora
• Balances blood sugar levels