Women and birthing people will generally birth best in an environment where they feel safe, comfortable, and private.  Mammals will intuitively seek out a dark space that offers these three qualities.  Humans are mammals too!

 

Homebirth

There's no place like home. 

Your home offers several advantages as a birthing site.  It is familiar, private, and hopefully a place where we feel comfortable and safe.  In our home we are in our power, on our turf.  Birthing at home also means you don't have to stress about when to leave your home for the hospital or birth center.  This convenience also means you don't have to manage contractions in the car or pack your hours old newborn into a car to bring them home.

Your home is not only familiar to you on an emotional level, it is also familiar on a microbial level.  Since your body is accustomed to the microbes living in your home, your risk for infection is lower in the home setting.  

 

 

Your baby, your birth, your way.

 

Being at home gives you the freedom to invite whomever you want to your birth.  While most births unfold in an intimate atmosphere without a large "audience", some people will feel right at home birthing with extended family and friends. 

  

 

 

Birthing on The Farm

If you'd like to work with me but do not live locally, or you simply prefer to birth outside your home, we have several birth cottages that are available to rent for birthing and short-term postpartum.  You can check them out here.

The Farm has a long and rich herstory of birthing babies right here on the land.  Birthing in one of the Farm birth cottages is similar to birthing at home (just not as familiar to you!) and the care is the same.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Waterbirth

Water is a useful tool for both labor and birthing and it is safe for both mom and baby.  Women have turned to the soothing effects of warm water for their monthly womb cleanse cramps for hundreds of years.  Immersion in warm water during labor increases endorphins, decreases pain and pressure, shortens the length of labor and decreases the incidence of severe tearing.  

For the baby it is presumed to be a gentler transition as they are moving from the waters of the womb to the water in the birth pool.  

Waterbirth is an option whether you birth at home or on The Farm. I have an inflatable birth pool which provides enough space for both you and your partner, if desired.

 

 

VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean)

VBAC stands for Vaginal Birth After Cesarean and is a safe option for most pregnant people. With the rising rate of cesareans in this country many women are faced with the question of whether to try for a VBAC in a subsequent pregnancy. MotherFLY offers VBAC for birthing people who have a low-transverse incision and encourages all women who’ve had a prior cesarean to educate themselves about the risks/benefits of VBAC vs. repeat cesarean. Cesarean section is a major surgery with increased risks both for mom and baby, including infection, hemorrhage, breathing problems, and prematurity. Having a cesarean also increases risks in future pregnancies. VBAC carries with it the small risk of uterine rupture (< 1%) and its consequences. Studies have shown that 80% of women who attempt VBAC have successful vaginal births with no harm to themselves or their babies.

I have been a proud and passionate VBAC provider for over two decades.  I believe strongly in your autonomy and choice.  Vaginal birth after cesarean is a reasonable and safe option for most pregnant people, even those with a history of multiple C-sections.  Depending on your particular circumstances, it may require a consultation with a doctor and in all cases I will need a copy of your operative report.  My VBAC success rate is 85%.