+ How is a midwife different from a doctor?
The midwifery model of care focuses on wellness and utilizes an integrative approach to prenatal care and birth. Midwives provide individualized education, counseling, and prenatal care. They offer continuous hands-on assistance during labor and delivery, and promote comprehensive postpartum support.
+ Will I also see a doctor during my prenatal care or birth?
Most women will not see a doctor during their pregnancy. A Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) is a primary care provider. CNMs are licensed to write hospital orders, prescribe medication and make lab and ultrasound referrals. The midwives at Golden Oak will attend your birth, “catch” your baby, and care for you through the postpartum period. If a complication arises, Golden Oak’s midwifery team will work in collaboration with the physicians at UCSF Children’s Benioff, in Oakland. Golden Oak has 24-hour MD backup in the hospital while you are in labor.
+ How long are my visits with you? Who can come to my visits?
Our relationship starts with a one hour consultation that partners are encouraged to attend. This visit gives us an opportunity to learn about your desires and expectations for your pregnancy and birth. After the initial visit, prenatal visits are 30-60 minutes long and partner’s are always invited! We want to build a relationship with you and your support team.
The structure of visits include a period to answer questions and get know you. We review labs and provide anticipatory guidance for what to expect during each stage of your pregnancy. Visits include an assessment of the baby and mother. During each visit the midwife listens to the fetal heart beat and measures the growth of the baby. During the third trimester, several visits are directed at preparing for birth and include your partner, family support, and doula.
+ Can a midwife order the labs I will need during my pregnancy?
Yes. Any lab, ultrasound, or genetic screening test can be ordered by a Board Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM). CNM’s can write prescriptions and make referrals to other medical providers as needed.
+ Where will I deliver my baby if you are my midwife?
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Berkeley, CA.
+ Will my midwife be with me during my labor?
During the early part of labor women stay at home with their partners, doula and any other support person(s) invited to participate in the birth. Once the woman is in active labor, we (Ellie or Gwen) meet each client at the hospital and provide continuous labor support until the baby is born. Women are free to move, change positions regularly, eat and be in and out of the bathtub/shower during labor.
+ Can I get an epidural or other pain medication in labor?
Yes. Our goal is to provide you with information about your choices. We respect each person’s decision about pain management
+ What happens if I need a cesarean section?
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center contracts with a group of obstetricians that work on the Labor and Delivery unit 24 hours a day. They back-up Golden Oak Midwives and other medical groups in the community. If medically necessary, these doctors will perform a cesarean section for Golden Oak.
+ What happens after the baby is born?
After the delivery of your baby, the midwife on call (Ellie or Gwen) will stay at the hospital to ensure both you and your baby have transitioned with ease into the immediate postpartum period. Once it is clear that both you and your baby are medically stable, we go home.
After your birth, the midwife on call (Ellie or Gwen) will see you each day in the hospital. We work closely with the staff at Alta Bates to discharge women home 1-2 days after their delivery.
Grace Bender, LM will provide a home visit during your first week at home.
Every family returns to our office for two postpartum visits. These appointments are with Ellie or Gwen 2 and 6 weeks after your birth.
Golden Oak hosts a postpartum support group every Friday from 10a-12p
+ Do you take insurance? Can I afford a midwife?
We work with all insurance plans. Golden Oak Midwives wants to ensure that cost is never a barrier to exceptional care. Details of insurance coverage are addressed during our free consultation visit.
+ Why did you decide to partner?
Golden Oak Midwives was founded in 2016 after Ellie and Gwen worked collaboratively in solo practice for several years. The decision to partner was made with the purpose of serving our community more comprehensively. Our practice works because having two midwives is better than one. In this model, we are able to attend all of our own births, promote exceptional standards of care for our clients, and expand midwifery services in the East Bay.
+ If you promise to be at our birth, When do you take vacations?
We get this question a lot. We are strategic about how we schedule our time away. One of us is local at all times. Unfortunately, we can never go on a vacation together, but it means that one of us will always be available to you.
