Napa Valley Childbirth Services

Every Birth
Is Unique And Sacred

Deborah (Fawn) Studebaker LM, CPM | Specialty Care for Moms, Babies and Families for over 50 years

LEARN MORE

ABOUT US

We are a group of Licensed Midwives that believe all women should be supported to have the birth they choose. We believe education is one of the most important parts of our job. We want you to make informed decisions when making chooses concerning

your pregnancy, birth and postpartum. When women have a homebirth they are given a calm, peaceful space and encouragement to trust their bodies, they emerge from the process more self-assured and empowered. These women have a better bonding experience with their babies, making parenting flow more naturally for them. Having a homebirth is a safe alternative and wonderful way to ensure there is less intervention in

perfect environment.

My goal is to provide empowering, supportive and safe Midwifery care to you and your family. I believe that in having a homebirth you and your family will be transformed in a way that will heal our earth, one birth at a time.

READ FULL

HOMEBIRTH

At NVCB we believe education and encouraging personal choices is one of the most important parts of our job. We want you to ask questions. We want you to make informed choices. And then it's our job to support you in those choices.

The Truth About Homebirth

You will likely labor, birth, and recover better in an environment where you feel safe and respected. We honor your choices, while keeping you and your baby safe. Research indicates that rates of labor augmentation with Pitocin, postpartum hemorrhage, and risk of a significant vaginal tear are all lower with a planned home birth. Families planning a vaginal birth after cesarean or VBAC are more successful having a homebirth.

You eat and drink when and what you want, labor and birth in positions which work best for you, with those you have welcomed into your space. We stay with you after the birth for several hours to insure that you and your baby are transitioning well, and visit you twice at home in the first week

You will skip the painful ride to the birth center or hospital. You will not need to defend your rights in the middle of birthing your baby.. Choosing to have a homebirth simplifies what should be a calm, family centered birth experience. We come to you, stay with you, and know you.

View All Services

WATERBIRTH

Having a waterbirth the mother stays calmer and becomes less stressed. The effect of buoyancy that deep-water immersion creates allows spontaneous movement of the mother. She moves as her body and the position of the baby dictate. Movement helps open the pelvis, allowing the baby to descend. When a woman is free from gravity’s pull on her body, with sensory stimulation reduced, she is less likely to secrete stress-related hormones. This allows her body to produce the pain inhibitors-endorphins-that complement labor.

Noradrenaline and catecholamines, the hormones that are released during stress, actually raise the blood pressure and can inhibit or slow labor. A laboring woman who is able to relax with a waterbirth not only physically relaxes but is able to relax mentally as well. Thousands of these mothers state they would never be able to consider laboring without water birth again.

Water Birth tubs are free of charge to our clients.

View Waterbirth Services

Placenta Encapsulation

Placenta encapsulation involves the drying of the placenta and grinding into a powdered form within a few hours after birth and pouring it into a vegetable capsule for consumption. Essentially, it’s your placenta in a pill! You simply swallow the placenta capsule as you would your morning vitamins. The placenta is large enough to produce a 30- to 60-day supply of placenta pills. Let’s take a look at a few of the benefits that this process can offer. As many as 15% of postpartum mothers develop some form of depression. There is anecdotal evidence that consuming the placenta may help ease symptoms of postpartum depression.

According to the American Pregnancy Association, ingesting your placenta has shown in some cases to boost the release of the feel-good hormone of oxytocin. In addition to stabilizing your mood, oxytocin also helps return the uterus to its normal size while facilitating bonding with your baby.

There are hormones like progesterone, estradiol, which is a form of estrogen, cortisol, aldosterone, and testosterone. Overall, the concentrations of the hormones were relatively low, but the researchers said that the concentrations of progesterone and estradiol could reach levels that could lead to physiological effects.

Iron levels are often depleted after pregnancy, which can lead to a profound lack of energy. The placenta contains small amounts of iron. Anemia, which stems from low iron levels, can be a problem for some new moms as iron has been lost through bleeding during delivery and through sharing with baby in utero. Low iron levels can contribute to irritability and postpartum depression. The potential benefits of placenta encapsulation may be physical, mental, and emotional. Your experience will be a personal one, though, and the biggest benefit may simply be knowing that you’re carrying on the natural cycle of your life-giving placenta.

Doula Services

Numerous studies highlight the benefits of having a doula during labor.

A recent Cochrane Review, "Continuous Support for Women During Childbirth," (American Pregnancy Association) showed significantly positive birth outcomes with a doula present. Women with doula support were less likely to need pain-relief medications or cesarean births and reported more empowering childbirth experiences.

Other studies indicate that doulas decrease cesarean rates by 50%, labor length by 25%, oxytocin use by 40%, and epidural requests by 60%. Having a doula allows fathers to choose their level of involvement, offering comfort techniques and support without the pressure of remembering everything from childbirth classes.

We have several packages to chose from depending on your needs.

Medi-Cal is accepted for Doula services only.

Hablo español- llámanos para una consulta gratis

Fawn and Olivia are the absolute best team you could ask for! I decided on a home birth for my third baby. I had scheduled several interviews for midwives, but I cancelled all of them after meeting with Fawn and Olivia. I felt a connection with them immediately and I knew they were the right team to help our family welcome our newest member. They really got to know our whole family and took their time at each prenatal visit. By the time labor came around, it felt like I had two good friends assisting me. I felt so safe in their care. My prenatal care and delivery were everything I had hoped for.