| Services
“Midwifery” encompasses much, much more than simply attending
your birth. I am committed not only to the health, but also to the
well-being of both you and your baby throughout the entire pregnancy
and beyond.
This page gives an overview of my services and fees. If you
have any questions, please don't hesitate to call me for
clarification.
Services & Fees
Ultrasounds
What You Can
Expect From Me
FAQ’s (Frequently
Asked Questions)
Services
& Fees
.
Prenatal Care:
Each prenatal visit is typically 1 hour in length. In addition to
developing our rapport, each visit will consist of a routine health
check (blood pressure check, pulse, weight, nutrition, palpation of
baby, fundal height, baby's heart tones) and an opportunity for you to
have your questions answered.
| Schedule of Prenatal Visits
|
| Week 1 — 27
| Week 28 — 35
| Week 36 — birth
|
| every 3 weeks
| every 2 weeks
| every week (more often if necessary)
|
Labor and Birth Care:
When you are in labor, you will call me; and when you are ready for me
to be with you, I will come to your home.
I will support you and care for you during labor, assist you in
the delivery of your baby, and remain with you for approximately 2-4
hours after your birth to monitor you and your baby.
I will make sure that both of you are stable, that you have
been nourished, that your baby is nursing, that you are not bleeding
excessively, that your blood pressure is stable, and that your baby's
temperature, heart rate, and respiration are stable.
I will help you with your bath or shower after the birth and
change the sheets on your bed. I will leave your birth place neat and
tidied.
Post-partum Care:
Once you have delivered, I will see you again for approximately 5 more
visits post-partum. The first visit is on the first day after
delivery. Following visits are on the third day, tenth day, three
weeks and six weeks after your birth.
If everything regarding your health and the baby's health
related to pregnancy, birth and the post-partum period are found to be
normal, I will release you from my care at that time. If you are
interested in a Pap smear at your six-week visit, that can be
arranged.
Even More Services:
| Labor/Birth Pool
| Laboring in the pool can greatly reduce stress.
|
| Birth Art Projects
| Pregnancy/Birth is a creative process! See my section on Birth Art.
|
| Education
| I have been a childbirth educator for the last 22 years
and will work with you and your partner during our prenatal time
to meet your needs throughout your pregnancy.
|
| Lending Library
| I have an extensive library at your disposal.
|
| Belly Butter
| I make my own “belly butter” for my clients to use in
preventing stretch marks and also to heal old ones. I'll provide
as much as you can use at no additional charge.
|
| Yard Card
| To congratulate you on the birth of your baby!
Complete with balloons.
|
Fees:
My fee is $3,000. An early payment option is available. Please take a
look at the Financial Agreement for all payment options.
A $350 deposit is expected at your first prenatal to secure a
place for you in my practice. This also covers your initial lab work.
For an explanation of the refund policy, see the Financial
Agreement.
Ultrasounds
For Better Birth offers quality in-office ultrasounds. To take
advantage of this WEB SITE SPECIAL, just print out the coupon below and
call for an appointment:
|
WEB SITE SAVINGS OFFER
 AN AFFORDABLE
ULTRASOUND
For Yourself or For a Friend
$125.00 value for only $99.99
with this coupon
Gender, Fetal Measurements/Well-being, AFI, Pictures
For an appointment, call Dana Savage, RM, CPM @ 719-332-0331
A Midwife For Better Birth • 1840 Deer Creek Road, Suite 204 •
Monument, CO 80132
|
What
You Can Expect From Me
.
Standards:
When you become my client, you can expect the highest standard of
midwifery care available. I do limit my clientele each month so that I
am able to maintain that standard of care. Every prenatal appointment
is one hour in length (minimum) during which you and your growing baby
will be nurtured and a routine check-up will be performed. You will be
given the opportunity to voice any concerns, opinions and/or questions
during your time with me. This is your pregnancy, your baby and your
birth. When you hire me, I believe you have hired me as your partner
for a safe and healthy birth. As partners, we will always treat one
another's ideas and opinions with utmost respect.
Office Hours:
My office is located at 1840 Deer Creek Road, Suite 204 in Monument.
My hours are on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, although I see the
majority of my clients on Mondays. Wednesday and Friday are used for
home visits, interviews, and reschedule days if I have a birth on
Monday.
Phone Rules:
My home phone number is 719-481-4848 and my cell number is
719-332-0331. As my client, you have access to me 24/7. Call my home
number first. If you get my answer machine, always leave a message and
then call my cell number. If you get the answering service on my cell
phone, always leave a message. Your call will be returned as soon as I
become available.
Childbirth Education:
I have been a childbirth educator for the last 22 years and will work
with you and your partner during our prenatal time to meet your needs
throughout your pregnancy. You are always encouraged to ask questions
and I will do my best to satisfy your inquiry. You are welcome to
arrange for and attend a childbirth class of your choice if this is
not what you had in mind.
I have taken the Level One training of Birthing
from Within with Pam England and all my clients have the option of
participating in birth art projects. I provide all supplies.
Frequently
Asked Questions
.
When should I call you?
You should call anytime you have questions or concerns that cannot
wait until your next appointment.
Also, no matter what time of day or night it is, you should
call me if you are running a fever, if you are worried about your
baby, if you are bleeding, if your water breaks, or if you are in
labor. Otherwise, call me during the day.
Who will come to my birth?
Your birth environment is very important to me. I encourage my clients
to give thoughtful consideration regarding any observers they wish to
invite. You are welcome to invite as many or as few as you prefer.
Older siblings are always welcome, but must have a designated person
whose main purpose is to care for the older siblings; and that person
must be comfortable with the idea that they may not have the
opportunity to witness the birth if an older child is not comfortable
in the birthplace at the time of birth.
You are welcome to hire a doula for your birth if that is your
preference.
When you hire me as your midwife, I am your primary care giver
and when you come to my office, you will always see me. When you are
in labor you will call me and I will come to your birth. One of my
colleagues will also attend your birth as my assistant.
How long will you stay after the
birth?
I will remain with you and your newborn for approximately 4 hours
following your delivery. During this time I will be monitoring your
vitals and those of your baby. I want to be sure you are not bleeding
excessively, that your blood pressure, pulse, and temperature are
stable. I will be watching the baby to be sure she is breathing
without stress and that her temperature is stable, and I will perform
the newborn exam with you looking on. I will be sure that both mother
and baby are well nourished before I leave.
What about the mess?
Surprisingly to most families, birth is not as messy as they had
pictured. My assistant and I will leave your birthplace neat and tidy.
We will start your laundry while we are there and we will pack up all
our equipment to take with us as we go. (The only exception may be the
labor pool; every birth is a different circumstance.)
What if I need to go to the
hospital?
If it becomes necessary to transport you and/or your baby to the
hospital you will not be left alone. I will accompany you and usually
my assistant comes along as well.
Does my baby need to see a
pediatrician?
My license allows me to care for your newborn for the first six weeks
following birth. If there is any indication that your baby is in
trouble or needs more specialized care than I can provide, I will
refer you to a pediatrician, specialist and/or hospital. If you want
to have your baby seen by a pediatrician following the birth, that is
of course your prerogative. I do not do circumcisions, as this is a
surgical procedure. If you are planning to circumcise, you will need
to make arrangements with a pediatrician or family practice doctor.
How often will I see you after the
birth?
I will follow your care for six weeks post-partum. After your baby is
born, I will see you the next day at your home, the third day at your
home, the 7th - 10th day at my office, the third week at my office and
the sixth week at my office. I offer you a post-partum pap smear at
twelve weeks that is included in my fee for your birth. And of course
if you need to be seen for any reason in between these visits, you
will be seen.
What sets your practice apart from
all the rest?
I am a direct-entry midwife trained by the apprenticeship model of
midwifery care. (This is the hands-on training approach. I received
academic instruction concurrently with instruction and application of
practical skills.)
I am the only midwife in the area who has provided childbirth
education and a doula service for over 22 years. I had been
established in the birth community for many years before beginning my
midwifery training, which I believe, equipped me to better serve women
in childbirth.
Two of my other strengths are my art background and business
experience. Both have been incredible assets to setting up my practice
as a midwife.
As my client...
- As my client, I will provide a labor/birth pool for your use
at no additional charge.
- As my client, you will receive as much belly butter as you
can spread at no additional charge. (I make belly butter for my
clients to use to prevent stretch marks and to heal old ones.)
- As my client, you will have access to my lending library.
- As my client, you will be given the option to participate in
any or all of my birth art projects throughout your prenatal time and
post-partum.
- As my client, you will receive a Yard Card congratulating
you on the birth of your baby complete with balloons.
- Anytime you refer a new client that is accepted into my
practice, you will receive a nice expression of my gratitude.
- And, as my client you will always be treated with
consideration and respect.
As I work toward making birth better for women and their
families I appreciate your time and consideration of what I might
offer you through professional midwifery care.
For Better Birth,
Dana Savage, RM, CPM
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