About MBFM | My Birth Friend Midw

You've just found out your pregnant - call the midwife

Midwifery is a blend of ancient wisdom & medical skill. MBFM offers compassionate, evidence-based, gentle, and licensed midwifery care for your pregnancy, birth, and beyond.

PRENATAL CARE

Prenatal care applies health, education, and open communication, which allows us to build mutual assurance, allowing birth to unfold. This mutual responsibility and respect are essential and shared between the birthing woman, her family and birth guests, and our midwifery team.

Unique to MBFM is the incorporation of your childbirth class experience. During your 6th & 7th month, we'll be reviewing birth preparation, facts, when medical care can be useful, and breastfeeding. These interactions are built into your total fee.

Your initial appointment will take a bit more time as we’ll need to review your history, any prior prenatal care, and previous birth stories. It will likely include an initial exam and, possibly, labs. Our prenatal style is unique – I’ll help you get acquainted at this visit. Your visits will be every four weeks and, likely, take an hour. There will be one home visit early in your 2nd trimester. Beginning at 28 weeks of your pregnancy, we’ll meet every 2 weeks until the 36th week, your last pregnancy month! At your 36th week visit, I’ll come to your home and assist you in preparing your birth space. At the close of this appointment, I will be on-call for your birth! Until the baby’s birth, we’ll meet once a week, and depending on your individual needs, we may meet more often.

BIRTH SERVICES

Experience a safe and empowering birth journey!

Midwifery is a blend of ancient wisdom and medical skill.

At your 36 week home-visit we'll review all the details. After that meeting, we'll be on-call 24/7 until your birth begins. Once contractions are well established, we'll be on our way.

Our presence will be watchful and vigilant in providing your care with responsible monitoring and mindful guidance. Each birth makes for a unique story. Most births unfold smoothly, with momentary support along the way. Other births require steady and experienced use of skill; while remaining in the heart of home care. A few benefit most in a hospital setting with midwifery care alongside obstetrical practice. Whichever path your birth turns, we'll be there with midwifery wisdom.

Usually, we arrive a few hours before a birth is imminent. We'll come prepared with equipment to monitor mom and baby during labor, herbs, and medications for treating concerns, and resuscitative care. Water birth is an option for most births.

As your baby takes its first breaths, we'll be there ensuring all is going normally and allowing you plenty of time to bond - all while being ready to use our hands, if required.

Your baby will receive their newborn exam within your arm's reach and we'll likely stay 2 hours after the big moment to fully support your family's transition, straighten up the space and be sure you've had a meal. Then, we'll review when to contact us before we slip away while you doze off with your newest love in your arms.

Within the next day or so, we'll return for your first postpartum visit. We remain on-call should you have any questions or concerns.

POSTPARTUM CARE

IMHO, Postpartum care is where midwifery care shines! This time is critical to mother and baby, mental health, breastfeeding, and over-all wellness. I will return to your home within 24-36 hours after the baby arrives. Another 2 visits are arranged within the first week. Should you and/or your baby receive hospital care, we will visit you at that location during the same time frame. Postpartum visits will continue in your home at 2 and 4 weeks. Our final visit for either home or hospital birth will be at our office at 6 weeks- a bitter sweet event.

PRECONCEPTION CARE & EDUCATION

Preparing for conception may mean making changes - big and small. Meet with your midwife while planning to conceive to review your health, labs, nutritional needs, relational preparedness and begin making changes towards that positive test. Generally, one year is a beneficial amount of time. Taking our childbirth classes during this time may help you seamlessly transition into pregnancy. Some couples may need more or less time to achieve fertility. Fees for this service are flexible and affordable.

AREA OF SERVICE

Generally, MBFM serves areas within a 2 hour radius
Counties more frequently served include:
- Blount
- Calhoun
- Cherokee
- Clay
- Clebourne
- DeKalb
- Etowah
- Randolph
- Saint Clair
- Shelby
- Talladega
Counties further out which may be served include:
- Autauga
- Bibb
- Chambers
- Chilton
- Coosa
- Cullman
- Elmore
- Jackson
- Jefferson
- Lee
- Macon
- Madison
- Montgomery
- Morgan
- Tallapoosa
- Tuscaloosa
- Walker

Care outside these areas is available based on availability & additional fees

PRICING

Global fee is $5,200/ $200 deposit

Initial visit: $200.00 deposit - at this visit a payment plan will be discussed and calculated based on the global fee and any known additional costs. Based on the remaining number of months in your pregnancy until 36 weeks, the total cost will be divided by the number of prenatal visits anticipated.
- Water birth tub, pump, & sump pump is included, as available
- Additional costs for labs, herbs, supplements, etc. will be discussed and fees added to total cost, as necessary.
- Travel fees apply for those outside a 30 minute radius of MBFM

Postpartum fees: fees acquired during the final months of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. An itemized bill will be presented at 6 weeks postpartum visit and payment will be made then, or a future payment date agreed upon.

Late On-set Care: deductions are made for prenatals with another provider.

AVAILABLE REDUCTIONS

Discounts:

Labor Doula support
Childbirth classes outside MBFM's care
Referrals

Other considerations:

Financial concerns
Miscarriage
Transfer of care in pregnancy

MONITRICE & PARALLEL CARE

Do you like the idea of the extra connection and care midwifery offers to a mother, but birth outside the hospital isn't an option for you?...

or not an option due to a medical condition?...

or, just not your style - because you want that epidural!

No problem!

THAT'S what midwifery care is all about. Meeting you where you're at and adapting the excellence in midwifery to all settings.

MBFM will partner with you and your OB/Gyn in blending your maternity care. This will include prenatal AND postpartum visits.

Schedule a free consultation with MBFM and let's discuss your care, options, and preferences.