We are so lucky to live in a place like Northern California when it comes to families and birthing services. We have everything from universities like UC Davis with some of the best surgeons and doctors in the United States to Midwives and doulas who can help guide you on a more holistic path or home birth.
I am going to go over a couple of your options here and why some of them may be perfect for you!
Midwifery care offers a more natural approach to childbirth by supporting the body’s innate ability to give birth. Midwives provide prenatal care, attend to the mother during labor and delivery, and offer postpartum care to both mother and baby.
Some midwives in the Sacramento area practice in hospitals, while others attend home births. Additionally, there are birth centers throughout the area that offer midwifery care. Many midwives in the area offer a range of services such as water births, VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) support, and lactation consulting.
Midwifery care has been shown to have numerous benefits for both mother and baby, such as lower rates of medical interventions, fewer complications, and improved outcomes. If you are considering midwifery care for your pregnancy and childbirth, be sure to check out the options listed below to find a midwife who is the right fit for you and your family.
So what exactly is a doula and how are they different from a midwife? A doula is a trained professional who provides emotional, physical, and informational support to a woman before, during, and after childbirth. Doulas are not medical professionals, but they can provide guidance on pain relief techniques, and comfort measures, and help the mother communicate her wishes with the medical staff.
On the other hand, a midwife is a healthcare professional who is trained to provide medical care and support to women throughout their pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum period. Midwives are able to monitor the health of both the mother and the baby, and they can provide medical interventions when necessary.
In summary, doulas offer emotional and physical support, while midwives provide medical care during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. Both doulas and midwives can play important roles in helping women have positive childbirth experiences. If you are thinking of going this route for your birthing services check out the list below for some of the most well-known and highly-rated doulas in the Sacramento Area.
If none of these sounds like a perfect fit for you, you may want to look into some other options such as birthing centers, where you are able to have a home-style birth in a cozy home-like setting but with medical services on site. Most of these locations are close to hospitals so if you need to make an emergency trip to the hospital it’s short and easy. They usually also offer water birthing options. Check out California Birthing Center for some ideas on this type of service.
If you live in the foothills above Sacramento you might look into Birthing Center Sierra Nevada located in the Dignity Health Hospital in Grass Valley. This small-town hospital offers a cozy feel and local doctors and nurses who are a part of the community and are a short drive as opposed to going down the hill for all your appointment needs.
If you are located in the Grass Valley area I highly recommend you attend a class or two at The Nest Family Resource Center. They have everything from highly trained lactation consultants, doulas, midwives, and local doctors who donate their time to teach classes and provide amazing services to the community.
I am a photographer in the Greater Sacramento area, based in Grass Valley CA. I specialize in vibrant and emotive family portraits, maternity, and lifestyle newborns. It is my belief that living in this special and amazing area gives us the incredible opportunity to take photos in epic locations! I have a bunch of super amazing places to take your maternity photos or family portraits. Just message me on my contact page and let me know what type of session you are looking for. I would love to capture this special time with you!