ON-Call Time
Beginning at 38 weeks of pregnancy, I will be on call for you 24 hours a day up until labor begins.
I will remain with you as long as possible from the time you request me to be with you once labor has begun, until one to two hours after your baby is born, apart from short breaks for meals and rest as time allows. Longer breaks, for instance, if you first call me in early labor, may be taken at mutually agreed upon times.
I can help you to utilize non-medical support techniques for labor and birth, such as breathing techniques, massage, heat packs, bath or shower, positioning, et cetera.
I will maintain a birth log, as circumstances allow, of the events that occur during labor and birth. I will strive to be as accurate as possible in recording the entries, but I can provide no guarantees in this respect. If you request them. I will provide a written record of your birth based on these notes within two weeks of the birth of your baby. All records remain confidential. I will not share these records with any person, except where disclosure is required by law.
I will help you initiate breastfeeding if that is what you choose to do. I am not a certified lactation consultant, but I can provide the names of local lactation consultants if the need arises. If you wish to bottle-feed your baby, I can help with the first feeding if required.
Postpartum Expectations:
After the birth, I will make _2 postpartum visits The first will be 3 days after the birth unless you prefer to wait. The second will be 7-10 days after the first meeting, again depending on your desires. I will strive to answer any questions or connect you with another professional where appropriate. Additional postnatal visits can be arranged for an additional hourly charge of _$30.00_
My role is limited to providing your physical, emotional, and educational support. The following are outside my scope of practice:
- I will not make decisions for you. I will provide information that may be helpful for you and/or your partner to make an informed choice. I will verbally remind you of your choices to encourage you to advocate for yourself.
- I will not perform clinical tasks such as assessing blood pressure, checking the dilation of the cervix, monitoring the fetal heart rate, making any medical diagnosis, administering or prescribing medication, or any other procedure that qualifies as practicing medicine.
- I will not provide medical advice or advice concerning any alternative therapies. Any information I provide should not be construed as medical advice and is not a substitute for medical advice, which only a licensed medical practitioner can provide. It is your responsibility to seek the advice of an appropriately qualified practitioner in case of doubt.
- I will not speak to your medical caregivers on your behalf. I can discuss your concerns with you and provide information on options that may be available to help you with composing questions for you to ask your caregivers, but you or your partner will be responsible for communicating your needs to the medical staff.
- I am not licensed or permitted to deliver your baby or to perform any clinical skills related to the delivery of your baby. In the event that the baby arrives unexpectedly at home without a licensed medical practitioner in attendance, you or your partner, or another attendant will be responsible for catching the baby as they are born. However, should your partner or attendant not be available to catch the baby as they are born, and if you are unable to do so yourself, then with your consent I may take on this role.