Midwifery Service Package

Free initial prenatal consultation with mother and partner to get acquainted. We need to feel comfortable with each other before we proceed.
Monthly prenatal appointments in your home from when we initiate care until 32 weeks gestation during which I will assess the general well-being of mom and baby and become familiar with any children or pets you have. We will discuss your preferences for labor support throughout the pregnancy.
At the 36 week appointment, I can help you prepare your house for the upcoming birth. I suggest ordering disposable homebirth supplies through In His Hands Birth Supply at www.inhishands.com.
From 37 weeks on, homebirth is safe. We will meet at least once after the 36 week home visit, most usually at 38 weeks.
I supply childbirth education in the form of Breck Hawk's I Care program. The classes are easily integrated into your prenatal appointments and are designed to supplement any method of natural childbirth. You will have access to my lending library (books, DVD's, CD's, videos, tapes) throughout your pregnancy and postpartum.
Uninterrupted support during labor , birth and postpartum. This includes labor/birth care, immediate postpartum care for mom and newborn care for baby.
Use of my labor support tools such as hot/cold rice packs, TENS Unit, birth ball, aromatherapy diffuser, aromatherapy oils, massage oils & music.
Help initiating breastfeeding as soon as possible after birth.
Complete postpartum care with in home visits on day 1 and day 3-5 as well as a 2and 4 week follow up by phone to assess the well-being of mom and baby. We will discuss your birth experience and any concerns you have for your baby.
Telephone and e-mail contact for one year after delivery.

I will perform the Newborn Metabolic Screening test during the 3 - 5 day visit. I am authorized by the state of Ohio to sign for verification of pregnancy and live birth so you can file for a birth certificate.

Birth pool use is included in the cost of homebirth services. I will bring the pool to your house during labor and remove it after the birth. You only need to supply a full sized sheet or blanket to place over the protective plastic floor tarp so you don't slip on wet plastic when entering or exiting the tub.

Please consider ordering your birth kit from In His Hands. My family has been using this company for 8 years. In His Hands is a family run Christian company. They have helped me create a custom birth kit for my clients. When you order, just type in my name and they will send you the kit. The cost, including shipping, is $48.

Service Area and Fees

It is my goal to provide continuous, high quality support to my clients in the atmosphere of their choice. When you choose homebirth, you have the unique opportunity to create your own, very special, very private birth environment. I respectfully honor any birth wishes you have so long as they do not compromise the health of mother or child. My service area includes but is not limited to the Cleveland/Akron/Canton area of Ohio. If you think you are close to my service area and desire a homebirth, call me. I will travel. Homebirth does not need to be prohibitively expensive. In fact, cost should be your last concern.

It is my belief that every family deserves the option of a homebirth. To this end, I work to keep my costs to a minimum. Payment arrangements can be made.

It is entirely possible to have the birth experience you want and deserve. Much research has shown that when women and their partners are provided with continuous, compassionate support, they recall the birth experience with greater satisfaction and bond to their infants sooner, even if the experience they had wasn't what they would describe as "ideal". My goal is to give you the gift of a birth experience you will WANT to remember. Please feel free to e-mail me with any questions or comments at erikao@preciouspassage.com I also welcome phone calls at 330 577-5180.