Author: KatieAnnePhotography

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Questions to Ask When Interviewing a Midwife

Questions to Ask When Interviewing a Midwife

Be in control of your birth and trust your midwife! 

I went out for you and asked a local midwife Hannah AH Teasley, CNM some basic questions for you!

She is the owner of Hive Midwifery and Women’s Health, Located in Ashland, Oregon. 

Here is Hannah’s story in her own words…

“I was 16 years old when I witnessed my first niece being born. From that moment on—I was hooked. I wanted to be the midwife that caught that squiggly, chunky baby. I wanted to hand the greatest gift in someone’s life to them and feel the pure energy that passes from my hands to theirs.

The next 13 years of my life were driven by the desire to be those hands.

For 6 years I’ve had the honor and privilege to do just that.

I’ve witnessed births in homes, birth centers, and hospitals, and each one has been a true joy and miracle.

I love not only prenatal care and birth, but I love well-women care as well. I love educating about birth control, discussing healthy ways to start a family, and yes, I even enjoy talking about the less glamorous side of it all (vaginal discharge).

My family and I moved to Oregon looking to build roots in a community that we want to raise our son in, and we found it. Once we got here, I realized that southern Oregon is screaming for more options regarding prenatal care and the births that are offered. It has been my dream since I witnessed my first niece being born to open my own home birth/birth center, and I believe that here is the place, and now is the time. I hope you agree.
I look forward to going on this journey with you all.

Lovingly, Hannah

https://www.hivemidwifery.com/

I am sure most midwives hear this a lot lately during their midwifery consultations, especially from first-time parents who are still exploring their options and aren’t totally sure what they are looking for in a provider. Many people know that the Midwifery Model of Care is different from standard hospital care, but aren’t certain if this means that all midwives are pretty much the same or if there is more they might need to know in order to select a provider that they can trust. 

There are some standard questions that you should be asking ANY care provider (midwife or not). Things like:

“What is your cesarean section rate?”

“How do you approach the use of tools and interventions in the labor process? What is your philosophy on this?”

“What are your routine newborn procedures immediately following the birth (skin to skin, delayed cord clamping, newborn exam, etc)?”

These are awesome questions to ask and a big part of what you want to talk about during your consult. 

BUT there are also some midwife-specific questions that are super helpful and may help you narrow down your search so that you can be sure of selecting a midwife and practice that is a good fit for you:

Do you practice as a solo midwife or in a team? How does that work?

I practice as a solo midwife. This means that I am the only midwife that the client sees throughout her pregnancy. 

How long have you been a midwife? In what kinds of settings have you practiced?

I have been a midwife for 6.5 years now. I have been in healthcare for over 11 years. 

I have worked in the home birth, birth center, hospital, and clinic setting. 

What kind of training did you receive to become a midwife? How long did it last?

I have my bachelors degree in Global Health. I have my second bachelors degree in Nursing. I have my Masters degree in midwifery. My midwifery program took me 2.5 years to complete. This is about 2 years of course work and then an intense 6 months of clinical work. 

At what point in your life’s journey did you inspire to become a midwife? Why did you become a midwife?

I was at the birth of my oldest niece almost 20 years ago. She was born at a birth center in Knoxville, TN (which closed about 3 years ago). I was 16yo, at that moment, I knew I had to be a midwife. 

How do you prefer to communicate with your clients?

Any format is fine. 

What is your philosophy on doula support during labor?

I am supportive of doula support during labor, if this is what the laboring woman desires. It is her show, she can have whomever she desires there. 

What is your episiotomy rate? 0

What kinds of medications or tools do you have access to in case of an emergency? What kinds of trainings did you have to take to become competent in using these tools?

I have CPR and NRP training. As a nurse, I utilized many of these tools in the hospital setting daily. 

I carry oxygen, oxygen masks, hemorrhage medications, IV equipment. 

What interventions/treatments/tools do you NOT use or have available?

I do not have epidural or any medications for pain management. I do not intubate. 

What natural herbs or treatments tools do you use or have available? 

Multiple types. Different oils, mainly.

for pain management: water, tennis ball, massage…

What is your transfer rate during labor? 

What is your protocol for non-emergency transfers to the hospital? For emergency transfers?

Discussion with the client and her support. If during labor and mom is stable and baby is stable, then she is able to go in her own car and I will follow. If emergency, then 911 will be called. A report will be given to hospital prior stating we will be transferring there. Report will be given to accepting physician. 

What hospitals/care providers have you had positive experiences with?

Do you have references? yes

What “extra” or surprise costs might we encounter while in your care?

No surprise costs, everything is discussed at first visit and when financial agreement is signed. 
Extra costs: tub rental, PKU card, rhogam shot (if needed), list of birth supplies (typically around $50). 

Here are 40 questions you can ask your midwife or provider!

1. How long have you worked as a midwife?

2. What is your training? For example is their title CNM, CM, CPM, etc.

3. What is your birth philosophy? What inspired you to become a midwife?

4. How many home births have you performed?

5. How many births do you attend each month?

6. Do you work alone or in a team during labor?

7. What is the total cost of care? And what is included?

8. Is any portion of the cost refundable if care is transferred to an OB at any point prior to the birth?

9. Have any of your clients been successful at recovering all or portions of your charges through their health insurance plans? (Typically this only applies to PPOs)

10. Do you work with a service to help clients with insurance claims?

11. Do you recommend working with a doula?

12. Do you provide nutritional support during pregnancy and labor?

13. What is your experience with herbs, homeopathy, and alternative medicine as pregnancy and labor support?

14. Do you offer or suggest taking childbirth preparation courses?

15. Do you provide and/or require any pregnancy screenings? (First and second-trimester genetic screenings, gestational diabetes, Group B Strep, etc).

16. Do you routinely check glucose and protein levels via urine samples at visits?

17. Under what circumstances would prenatal care need to be transferred to an OB?

18. How do you maintain client medical records? Electronically and/or written?

19. If you are unable to attend my birth for any reason, who will attend in your place?

20. What happens in the case where two clients are laboring simultaneously?

21. What equipment do you bring to the birth?

22. Do you have a birth kit for purchase and if not will you work with me to assemble one?

23. Do you have any preferences regarding how many people attend the birth?

24. At what point during my labor will you come to my home? When should I call you?

25. What tools do you use to monitor the baby during labor and after their birth?

26. Do you facilitate water births? And do you supply the birth pool?

27. What is your hospital transfer rate?

28. What is the most common reason for hospital transfer?

29. If I must have a preterm or post-term hospital birth, will you be present to offer support?

30. Do you carry oxygen?

31. Do you carry Pitocin in the rare case of hemorrhaging after birthing?

32. What do you do in the case of a nuchal cord?

33. Are you trained in infant resuscitation?

34. Have you ever lost a baby or a mother? If so, under what circumstances?

35. What is level of perineum tearing, if any, do you suture? Do you transfer to the hospital for any particular levels of tearing?

36. Under what circumstances, if any, do you perform episiotomies?

37. How long will you and/or your support team stay with mom and baby after the birth?

38. How many postpartum visits are offered under your care and on what days do these visits occur?

39. Is breastfeeding support offered?

40. Do you have any references available for contact?

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When to Take Maternity Photos

Congratulations on your pregnancy! You’re planning and preparing to welcome your little one into the world and sharing the joy of your news with family and friends.

Having maternity photos taken may seem like just another thing to add to your growing to-do list, but a portrait session can serve as a reminder of how beautiful and amazing your pregnant body is. Maternity photos can help you document and remember your pregnancy journey not just in the months before giving birth, but for years to come.

Not sure when to schedule your maternity session? That’s why I put together a few tips to help you know when is the best time to photograph your baby bump.

Schedule your session in your third trimester

The best time to take maternity photos is during your seventh or eighth month of pregnancy or around 32-34 weeks. Once you’ve entered your third trimester, your belly begins to develop more of a nice round shape that’s perfect for showing off in photos. In addition, at this point in your pregnancy, your baby will not yet have begun to move downward, which means your belly will be higher and create that perfect maternity silhouette.

Schedule your session too early, and your bump may not be as pronounced as you’d like. And if you have photos taken after your eighth month, chances are you’ll be too uncomfortable to pose and smile. For that reason, avoid taking your maternity photos near the end of your pregnancy, after 35-37 weeks.

Plan an earlier shoot if you’re expecting multiples

If you’re expecting twins—or even triplets—schedule your maternity session for your second trimester. Your baby bump will appear bigger in the second trimester if you’re carrying more than one child. A good estimate is to take your maternity photos around 24 weeks while you can still move around fairly easily.

Keep an eye on that baby bump

While the seventh or eighth month is generally a good time to take your maternity photos, remember that every woman and every pregnancy is different. Pay attention to the changes in your body and the shape of your growing baby bump to know when is the best time for you to step in front of the camera.

If this is your first pregnancy and you’re not sure what signs to be on the lookout for, take regular photos of your bump to see how it looks. Many women like to track the progress of their pregnancy with regular baby bump photos, and these images are a simple way to keep track of your changing body and better plan out when to do your maternity session.

Err on the side of caution

If you’re uncertain about when exactly to schedule your maternity shoot and you want to make sure you book your desired photographer, go for an earlier session rather than a later one. The more advanced your pregnancy, the more exhausted and uncomfortable you’ll be. It will be harder for you to move around, change positions, and switch outfits for a photo session. So, if you feel like your baby bump is looking great at six months instead of seven or eight, go ahead and do those maternity photos! Better to take your images early than too late.

Just like with most things in life, maternity photos are all about timing. Choosing the right time to schedule your maternity session will help ensure that you’re looking and feeling your best, allowing you to have images marking this huge, wonderful change in the life of your family.

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WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR NEWBORN SESSION

Hi There!

This is a detailed guide to a sucessful session.

Congratulations to you!
The first few days and weeks of a baby’s life are so magical and fleeting! Some of life’s fleeting moments are those of these first few weeks of your new baby!
Being able to freeze those moments for you is such an honor for me! ♥
I thought it might be helpful to write down how parents play an
important role to a successful, pleasant and
enjoyable experience for a successful newborn session.
I strive to make this experience stress freeand fun! There is nothing sweeter
then seeing your baby all swaddled up in a cute little prop!


So…. let’s get started! Let’s Pencil You In!
I highly recommend booking your newborn session as early as 6-4 weeks
prior to your approximate delivery date. That gives me enough time fully
customize a newborn session just for you! If anything else is needed
such as a coordinating headband or matching outfit, I will have enough time to research and purchase any additional items needed.

I am a mother of 3 boys. I pride myself on how much patience I have with children and especially sweet babies! I have spent hours researching newborn
photography, as well as hands on with mentors and
the years I have been doing newborn photography.


My priorities are safety, this includes the safety of props
and the handling of your tiny sweet babe. A stress free experience, as well as angles, lighting and equipment. The most important thing
I want you to take away from our time together
are the timeless beautiful images that I will create for you and your family.

We are going to have a wonderful time together!
The time and images we
create are priceless, I want you to have art in your
home that will last a lifetime
for your children to pass along to their children!
I am just over the moon to be able to do this for you!
Let’s smile, laugh and maybe even cry with tears
of sweet joy as we enjoy your newborn baby together!

A mere 48 hours in a newborns life is very crucial
when preparing them for their session.
I have witness many, many times after the 16 day mark, newborns have discovered the art of staying awake and hanging out! Once that happens…they won’t
let us curl them up in the cute little newborn poses, without a fight!

Still need to come in after the 10-16 day mark? No worries, my training and experience as a mom myself has taught me ways to soothe and nurture
the feistiest angels to sleep and beside who really doesn’t want to cuddle and hug these little human beings ALL DAY long!! It helps calm my own baby fever! ♥

What to expect before your session…

B E F O R E Y O U R S E S S I O N
Birth Day!

I know you are just excited as I am to capture those little tiny fingers and toes while it last! Once you and baby have been giving the green light
to go home, please contact me right away to schedule a
definite date and time for your baby’s newborn session. Sessions are typically scheduled 2 to 4 days following your release. When scheduling the session the earlier the better. Younger newborns tend to do very well in the studio, oppose to a baby that is over 16 days old. They tend not to wake up frequently and as easily when getting them posed for the scene.

Durning your session…

D U R I N G Y O U R S E S S I O N


Newborn sessions take place in my studio in Rogue River Or. It’s a custom design private studio which holds everything needed for your bundle
of joy! Sleepy, Hungry! Babies do very well in the studio for posing when they are in a very deep sleep.


To encourage this I will have my studio at a cozy 80F degrees! So bring layers, something light and summery. At home I want you to be stress free do your thing you do, don’t worry about keeping the baby awake, or keeping the baby hungry. Just go with your routine and relax!! Once you arrive you will get cozy and
while we chat you will feed your baby. Once burped, I will then start preparing him/her for their session.♥

Please do whatever you can to keep the noise to a minimum during our session.
Maintaining a calm environment is also a big key to a successful
newborn shoot. I do have white-noise app for white noise that I use keep
close to baby during the session to help soothe him or her. Babies love strong and rhythmic sound. Regulate the Temp! Since babies are sometimes photographed naked, the studio will be set at a temperature of 80F
to ensure baby is warm and comfortable. If we’re not sweating,
it’s probably not warm enough for baby! Parent’s please
make sure to wear comfortable loose clothing. Bring water and snacks.

I highly recommend to bring a Pacifier!
Even if your baby refuses a binkie for you they may
take it for me, they are one of my best tools for a successful session. As a newborn photographer, I just feel it’s tips that you as a parent can use to maximize
the time we have in the studio and in return you’ll be able to showcase and display
more than the average number of baby photos!


♥Poop Whisperer! That I have been called many times…lol but no
worries, it happens! This is completely natural for babies to use
blankets or props as there own personal potty. Please don’t feel embarrassed,
I reassure you it happens more times that I can remember. Know, I have 3 boys of my own, it was their never ending mission to make mommy there own
personal potty! Have a concern about sanitation? Don’t worry I wash all
used props and blankets after each newborn session with unscented detergent.

Safety!

Safety is my utmost number one top priority when handling your baby,
so either mom or dad will be my spotter/assistant. All eyes and hands are to be kept around baby during posing. During the session I will be
handling and posing baby, but don’t worry I have plenty of experience handling a newborn, I have three boys of my own!


I will hold and care for your tiny sweet babe as if they were my own, I promise, Dad! Chances are you’ll be here close to 2-3 hours so I highly recommend
eating a good hearty breakfast before you arrive. If there are going to be siblings present please bring some extra snacks and maybe a toy or activity
they enjoy, (but no pens or markers.) I know this can be a very exciting and stressful time for you, especially when adding sleep deprivation in the mix!


As much as my goal is for baby to be comfortable, I also want you to be comfortable and at ease! Having me photograph these precious moments for you
means a lot to me, so anything I can do to make it a smooth journey for you, please don’t hesitate to let me know! Again thank you for giving
Katie Anne Photography the opportunity to capture these unforgettable
memories for a long time to come! ♥

What should baby where…?

Have your little onedressed in cozy PJ’s. Nothing too tight or with elastic waist bands that will leave marks. No need to worry about props or outfits. I will provide all of that. I have made sure that the items I make have bought from vender’s are made for newborns and are safe. As for parents and siblings, dress in either a solid white, cream, black, or gray top or tank.

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5 Tips for Including Older Siblings in a Newborn Session

5 Tips for Including Older Siblings in a Newborn Session

Your little family has added another member, and it’s so important to capture this moment in your life! One of the best things about newborn photos is it’s a great way to get new photos of the whole family, including any older siblings. But it can sometimes be a challenge for parents to encourage toddlers to cooperate with the photo session. That’s why we put together these five tips for including older siblings in your newborn shoot…

Make time for breaks.

Your newborn won’t be the only one who needs breaks. Have some snacks handy for older siblings, and give them a chance to step away from the camera and just play for a little while. Sometimes it’s best to do photos with the older sibling first, so they don’t get bored and agitated as the session goes on. Regardless of how your photographer organizes the session, be sure to include regular breaks throughout.

Let them do their own thing.

One of the most important things is not to force your older child to participate in the session. The last thing you want is a tantrum or a grumpy face in your photos! Instead, encourage them to participate without forcing them. You may be surprised how much they enjoy being involved on their own, and giving your older child space to explore and relax can result in more natural, genuine images of your family.

Encourage them to snuggle up.

Your older child may feel unsure or uncomfortable around the new baby, and a photo session can be a great way to help them loosen up and get to know their new sibling. Some of my favorite photos are images of the older sibling holding, kissing, or snuggling the new baby. Encourage them to gently touch the newborn and to get close, which can lead to a lot of giggles and smiles and some great photos.

Talk to them beforehand.

It’s so important to let your older children know what to expect from a photo session. Whether they love to be in front of the camera or are a little bit shy, talking to them in the days before your shoot about how things will go can really ease their minds and make them more comfortable with the photographer. Be sure to sit down with your older child throughout the week before your session and talk to them about how you’re going to have photos were taken and the importance of listening to both you and the photographer. With a little preparation, you may find that they’re excited to participate, which makes for wonderful photos!

Give them time in the spotlight

An older sibling of a newborn has often just become an older sibling, which means they’re still getting used to having a baby in the house. They may feel that their parents don’t pay as much attention to them with all the needs of their new sibling. Take time to make sure your older kids feel involved in the photo session, both in photos with your new baby and photos of the whole family together. Your newborn session is a great way to let older siblings know that it’s not just about your new addition, but about your growth as a family