Frequent Inquiries
Do I need a birth plan?
I usually recommend women have a short, one page birth plan in the event of a transfer to the hospital. As your midwife we will discuss your birth preferences and needs during your prenatal care. However, as much as I want to promise a beautiful home birth sometimes circumstances change and are out of our control and its best to have something written down stating what you want for your birth and your baby.
What’s the difference between a midwife and a doula?
Midwives and doulas are birth professionals that support moms during pregnancy, birth and postpartum. There is one significant difference between a midwife and a doula.
Midwives provide medical care for you during pregnancy, birth, and the immediate postpartum period up to 6 weeks. Midwives also monitor your health and the health of your baby prenatally, during labor and in the postpartum.
Doulas provide you and your family with emotional, informational and physical support during pregnancy and birth. I recommend every woman have a doula especially first time moms. They not only help you cope with labor but also assist your husband with ways to help support you through birth.
Is home birth safe?
Yes! Home birth is safe for low risk women. What does that mean? It means that if you are healthy, with no pre-existing illnesses that require specialized care or medications, AND you want to have a home birth with a midwife you are considered low-risk.
"In today’s peer-reviewed Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health (JMWH), a landmark study** confirms that among low-risk women, planned home births result in low rates of interventions without an increase in adverse outcomes for mothers and babies."
https://mana.org/blog/new-studies-confirm-safety-of-home-birth-with-midwives-in-the-us
"A large international study led by McMaster University shows that low risk pregnant women who intend to give birth at home have no increased chance of the baby's perinatal or neonatal death compared to other low risk women who intend to give birth in a hospital."
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/08/190807190818.htm
Does Mt. Edgecumbe Midwifery accept late-to-care transfers? YES!
What is a late-to-care transfer?
It is typically entering midwifery care after 28+ weeks gestation. It also includes changing your primary health care provider and the place of birth, from hospital birth to home birth or birth suite birth.
What is the process?
Late to care transfers are considered only if you have had previous prenatal care and on a case by case basis, after a consultation, and a complete review of medical records and health history.
Does MEM's fees change?
No. MEM has less time to prepare you for an out of hospital birth and will actually need to add extra appointments so that we can get to know each other and develop a relationship of trust.
Have questions? Call today and schedule a free 1 hour consultation. It is never too late to change your mind or ask questions.
Testimonials
I cannot say enough about Stacey and Mt. Edgecumbe Midwifery. I started my prenatal care with Army medical professionals who were in fact not professional, to say the least. After relocating to Sitka, my husband and I naturally visited the local hospital for prenatal care mostly because the women in our lives had done the same for their pregnancies and births. To say we were disappointed would be a massive understatement. We felt pressured, confused, and unseen. I knew in my core that this was not the way a woman's pregnancy should feel. We immediately dove into research when we got home and found Mt. Edgecumbe Midwifery online. We scheduled a consultation and felt so at ease with Stacey when she visited our home for the first time. She was a beautifully talented midwife, and more importantly, she was an advocate for women’s informed consent, a trusted confidant, and an exemplary woman of faith. As a first-time mother with plenty of fears and unknowns rattling in my mind right from the start, Stacey was determined to build a relationship of trust. Our prenatal appointments were filled with healing conversations as well as timeless education on the incredible progressions of pregnancy and childbirth. Stacey provided us with myriad resources for questions we had regarding epidurals, Pitocin, and birthing positions. The importance she attributed to sleep, nutrition, mental health, informed consent, and support throughout the entirety of my care enabled me to care for my body successfully during pregnancy, to make informed decisions regarding my and my baby’s best interests during labor and birth, and to intentionally recover during postpartum. My husband and I had our hearts set on a home birth and Stacey was available every step of the way. Labor is the most intense experience I have ever been through, and Stacey was unwaveringly confident in my ability to have a successful home birth. I chose to transfer to the hospital for pain relief, something I had not even entertained. We remained in the hospital for hours and hours and fortunately had a large team of physicians attending. Stacey could have easily called it a night when the doctors took over, but she was with me every minute. She protected us from the cascade of interventions that are unfortunately inevitable when receiving care in a hospital. My labor was much longer and more invasive than it could have been, and I wrestled with a fair amount of guilt for choosing to transfer. Again, Stacey was ready with encouragement and strength to help me fight the “what if” battle. I could not quantify the knowledge and wisdom we’ve gained from our time with Stacey if I tried. My family and I will be relocating to another duty station this summer, and I haven’t parted with the idea of convincing Stacey to come with us for our next child. Stacey set our expectations for prenatal/postpartum care exceedingly high and any family who chooses to partner with her will be impacted by her passion for serving women.
Candice
Stacey went above and beyond in teaching child birth class, not only was she extremely informative, she answered every single question I had, no matter how silly I thought it was. At the end of the classes I felt prepared and hoped I would end up having her at my birth! Fast forward to when it was time for me to have my daughter. I was lucky enough to have her and Hannah! I honestly couldn’t have done it without either of them. Stacey kept me grounded, reassured me, was extremely professional and she exceeded both mine & my husband’s expectations! She was amazing, and the sole reason I was able to do it natural. I knew I was in great hands. I was sad when we had our last appointment with her! I’m heartbroken she’s moving! I was hoping to have her at another birth. Stacey did more than prepare me for birth! She went above and beyond! I couldn’t have asked for better midwives or a better birth experience!
Amanda
Capable, strong and gentle, reassuring and oh so knowledgeable… Stacey has been present at 3 out of 4 of my births, and these are the words that best describe her composure in the “delivery room.” She is totally engaged and yet totally relaxed throughout the whole process, and has some great tricks for pain management and good baby movement. She is full of confidence and peace, and best of all, she is just as joyful and excited as I am every time I cross the finish line and get to meet my beautiful baby.
This beautiful woman is a born midwife who genuinely loves all things pregnancy and childbirth, and I confidently and highly recommend her! It is a blessed momma indeed who has her as a caregiver!
Ashley
Stacey was an incredible asset to my daughter’s birth. I wanted a home birth with both of my boys, but it just wasn’t possible where we lived. After the experience I had with my two boys, I didn’t want another hospital birth. I wanted to to be heard while in labor and to be cared for not only physically but emotionally as well. God granted us the desires of our hearts and allowed us to have a home birth. Stacey taught me in childbirth education class how to best care for my body and my baby in every way and how to prepare for birth holistically without fear! Giving birth to our daughter was one of the most peaceful experiences of my life. Stacey was in control of every aspect of labor and delivery, hands off unless I asked for her help, and quick to listen and provide what I needed in that moment. She helped my husband to apply the the correct pressure points and showed him how to help without distracting me from labor. I am so excited that other women get to experience the same level of care that Stacey Vigilante provides for her mamas and babies. She is incredibly compassionate and knowledgeable, which is the very best combination to have in a midwife.
Lauren
Stacey is a phenomenal midwife! I had 3 prior hospital births, some good experiences and some not so good. I was due with my 4th during the beginning of covid and hospital restrictions were scary and I knew I couldn’t do a natural hospital birth without my support people. Stacey was the calm I needed when I was doubting myself the most and her support, for both me and my husband meant everything. When I needed to be talked off the ledge during transition she was there helping me to stay focused. I felt safe and was able to have an awesome home birth. I would absolutely use Stacey again if we have another baby.