Wildflowers Midwifery is a home birth midwifery practice serving Alachua, Marion, Putnam and Levy Counties of North Central Florida.

What is a midwife?

A midwife is knowledgeable about birth, she can create a safe space for women to be vulnerable and powerful, she trusts in the body, she sees birth as a transformative experience, she respects a woman’s autonomy and innate knowing of what’s right for her. 

A midwife is also a skilled medical care provider. She is trained to handle minor complications in pregnancy and birth. She knows when it is appropriate to seek the assistance of higher levels of medical care. She very much acts as a guardian, keeping a watchful eye and intervening when necessary.

A midwife is supportive, guiding, gentle, non-judgmental, informative, spends quality time with her client and their partner, is deeply connected, understanding, nurturing to all, and most of all – loving. 

Read more about our philosophy of care here.

what if something goes wrong in my birth?

Many many women in modern american culture carry fears around birth. This is a super common concern. The best way to mitigate fears is the ask questions and educate yourself about what normal birth is like. Listening to positive birth stories, watching home birth videos, and researching for yourself. The more familiar you are with natural birth, the less scary the unknown becomes; the more connected you can feel to your pregnancy, your baby, and your partner; the more confident you will be with your birth choices.

Midwives are trained to monitor and identify risk factors that many creep up in pregnancy or during birth. Should an emergency arise I do not hesitate to transfer for emergency medical assistance. Midwives are also trained to handle minor complications at home. I maintain certifications in CRP, Neonatal resuscitation, and birth emergency skills.

Most transfers to the hospital in labor are not emergencies, they are agreed upon decisions made between the birthing person and care team. The most common reasons to transfer in labor are maternal exhaustion, request for pain relief, and non progress.

What does Midwifery care look like? How often do we meet?

A midwife is considered a specialist that acts as a primary care provider during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. This means a birthing person will having visit with their midwife throughout their pregnancy, being referred to higher levels of care only when necessary.

The benefits of Midwifery care include continuity of care with your birth provider (you know who will be attending your birth); a connected relationship which cultivates safety, transparency, and respect; direct communication and access to your midwife at all times; emotional support; honoring of the spiritual aspects of pregnancy and birth.  

What is the difference between a midwife and a doula and a birth assistant?

A midwife’s assistant is a trained medical support person, certified in CPR & Neonatal Resuscitation, trained to assist the midwife in addressing minor complications should they arise; assists with the setup and clean up of the birthing environment; is aware and experienced in what birth looks like; creates and maintains a calm, peaceful energy in the birth space. 

A doula is a trained labor support person who provides educational, emotional, and physical support for the birthing person and their partner during pregnancy, throughout birth, and postpartum. They are experienced in witnessing and supporting birth in all settings. 

How much does it cost? What about insurance?

The out of pocket rate for complete care is $6000. This fee covers prenatal visits, attending labor and birth, postpartum and newborn care. We can create a payment plan as needed. At this time we do not accept insurance or medicaid .

What is a home birth?

A home birth is choosing to birth in your home under the care of a midwife. Birth tubs are available for use during labor for comfort and or water birth as desired.  

What is a birth center birth?

A birth center is a licensed facility, commonly a home like environment, where birthing people go to give birth outside the hospital. Most birth centers in Florida are own and operated by Licensed Midwives and therefore have similar supplies and equipment on hand that a midwife would bring to a home birth.