A Comprehensive Maternity Guide for Expectant Mothers
How to Choose the Right Maternity Care Provider For you!
Choosing the right maternity care provider is an essential decision for expecting mothers. Here are some of the factors I considered when choosing my provider:
Experience and qualifications along with reviews from actual mothers
Availability and accessibility to my home location and desired birth place
Personalized care to my needs
Matching philosophies in care
I am in a fortunate situation, so cost was not a huge factor for me, but for those where it is this can be a limitation
It's important to take your time and research your options carefully to find the right provider for you.
P.S. Don’t forget to check out our full Maternity Portfolio to book your next session!
Choosing Your Maternity Care
Have you ever dreamed of your perfect birth scenario? Who do you imagine by your side during the experience? Are you considering having a coach to help guide you through the process? And what about after your newborn arrives - have you thought about what your plan is for them? As a fellow expectant mother, I know firsthand just how stressful it can be to navigate all of these important decisions. That's why I'm here to help! In this guide, we'll explore all of your options for maternity care and post-partum support in Oxford, Lake Orion and Rochester Hills Areas of Michigan.
Expecting a baby is an incredibly exciting time in your life, from the moment you see that positive pregnancy test to picking out adorable onesies and nursery decorations. But it can also be a time of overwhelming uncertainty and anxiety, especially when it comes to choosing the right maternity care provider. Unfortunately in these areas maternity care is somewhat limited, so it's essential to do your research and gather all of the information you need to make an informed decision.
Let's start by discussing the state of healthcare. It's important to be aware that there are some providers who only schedule induced deliveries, which means they use synthetic Pitocin to start your contractions on a predetermined date. While there are benefits and drawbacks to both natural and induced labor, it's important to know that inducing with Pitocin can lead to a longer and more difficult labor if your labor did not start naturally. This can be incredibly stressful for both you and your baby. Knowing this ahead of time can help you make the best decision for your individual needs.
Another important consideration when it comes to maternity care in these areas is the distance to the nearest recommended hospital. No matter which direction you go, the closest recommended hospital is 10-15 miles away for the majority of the population, which means you'll need to plan for a minimum 15-20 minute drive (or 25-30 minutes by ambulance) to receive medical care. Depending on your needs and personal preferences, you may want to consider working with a midwife or exploring other options for care. It's important to discuss your options with your partner and have a solid plan in place well before your due date.
Finally, let's talk about post-partum care. It's important to be aware of the possibility of post-partum depression and to know what to look for in terms of symptoms. It's also crucial to have a support system in place, whether that's your partner, family members, or friends. Taking care of a newborn can be a full-time job, so it's important to prioritize your own physical and mental health as well. By making a plan ahead of time, you'll be better equipped to handle the challenges that come with welcoming a new little one into your family.
hospitals
Hospitals are the most popular choice for delivery, and Michigan, has some of the best hospitals in the Michigan. These hospitals have state-of-the-art facilities, experienced doctors, and a wide range of services to meet the needs of expectant mothers.
Some of the recommended hospitals you can consider nearby are:
Beaumont Hospital, Troy (Now Corewell Health, not Beaumont)
Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak (Now Corewell Health, not Beaumont)
Beaumont Troy and Royal Oak have highly ranked maternity wards that offer a full range of services, from prenatal care to delivery and postpartum care. Beaumont Troy is where I have decided on giving birth, and I stand by my decision looking back. Overall my experience was great, but you really need to take charge of your labor as there will be times when you’ll be asked or told to take certain medications that may not align with your birth plan. Having a birth plan and support person (significant other, doula, etc) to validate your decisions when you are focused on your labor is an essential part of the process.
obgyn services
I recently found out that finding a provider who will be there with you for your birth is a tough task. As it turns out, there are quite a few providers that do not see you through to your birth, so when your day comes you might be stuck with whoever is on shift at your delivery room! Please do not let yourself be put in this position, have a plan and make sure you are comfortable with everything; if you are not in a positive mindset your experience may not occur how you envision. Not to bring up a sore topic, but I hope everyone has taken a few learnings from the Covid pandemic; for me I learned to go with the flow. I tend to have a flow chart of plans, so if my plan doesn’t work out I have backup option A, B & C to choose from and if those don’t work I just keep working my way to the next step. I truly believe everyone should have a similar strategy because life is unpredictable!
When I started my search for an OBGYN I discovered every option near Oxford (our hometown :) was not the right fit for me because they either had no availability, only scheduled deliveries with Pitocin or did not follow you through to your birth. These were complete deal breakers for me, so I started to search outside of Oxford in nearby locations. I ended up at a nearby location in Rochester off of Crooks & M59. I highly recommend my OB if you are looking for someone that respects your decisions and works with you to achieve your ideal birth plan!
Now I’m sure there are other options around, but I can personally say it took my husband and I about 2 weeks of searching every day to find a doctor with good reviews, matching philosophies and worked out of our birth plan location. So I am not going to recommend anyone I haven’t personally dealt with since this can be such a deeply personal decision.
midwife services & birth centers
Midwives are highly trained professionals who specialize in providing care to women during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. Midwives offer personalized care to expectant mothers and families. Here's a closer look at what midwives do and how they can help you have a safe and healthy birth experience.
There are several types of midwives, including:
Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs): CNMs are registered nurses who have completed additional training in midwifery. They are licensed to provide care in hospitals, birth centers, and homes.
Certified Midwives (CMs): CMs are trained in midwifery but do not have a nursing background. They are licensed to provide care in hospitals and birth centers.
Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs): CPMs are trained in midwifery and have met the requirements for certification set by the North American Registry of Midwives. They primarily attend home births.
Midwives provide a range of services to expectant mothers and families. Some of the services offered by midwives include:
Prenatal care: Midwives provide regular check-ups and screenings throughout pregnancy to monitor the health of the mother and baby.
Labor and delivery support: Midwives provide emotional and physical support during labor and delivery, and they help to manage pain and discomfort.
Postpartum care: Midwives offer support and care to new mothers and families during the postpartum period, including breastfeeding support, infant care education, and emotional support.
Some of the available midwife services nearby are:
Doula services & Hypnobirthing
If you are considering a Doula, I have some great recommendations for you. Doulas can be great for you if you have concerns about a proper hospital experience, especially with some of the horror stories we read online. Not every hospital is bad, but that doesn’t mean you should assume they are all good too! Having a Doula can help mitigate any potential issues between the doctor/nursing staff and yourself especially since you will be in a very vulnerable state of mind. In case you are not aware C-sections are at all time high, epidurals are very common and complications are very high for a 1st world country! I am not going to speculate on any one cause in particular, but I can say that given this information I want YOU to find the right solution for your ideal birthing day.
Having someone in your corner that will fight for your birth plan, help transition your mindset if plans change, coach you through your breathing and pushing, and keep you level headed is a complete asset. Now I’m sure you’ve looked at the costs questioned if it is worth it, but before you completely dismiss this option remember that your significant other is going to be battling a lot of things at once (doctor/nurse questions, your needs, his needs, etc.) and it can be very stressful to make the right choice. By taking some of those choices from your significant other and putting them in the hands of your trustworthy Doula you relieve these added stressors and create an environment where the two of you can be one and work through your experience together leaving the headaches of hospital or Midwifery bureaucracies to your Doula.
Recommended Doulas in the Area:
Metro Detroit Doula Services (Based in Troy, but they come to you)
Empowering You Doula (local to Oxford)
Hypnobirthing techniques combines self-hypnosis and relaxation techniques to help you manage pain and anxiety during labor and delivery. Through hypnobirthing classes, you'll learn breathing techniques, visualization, and positive affirmations to keep you calm and focused throughout the entire birthing process. By using these techniques, you can experience a shorter labor time and have a more positive and empowered birth experience.
Not only that, but practicing hypnobirthing can give you a greater sense of control over your labor and delivery experience. It's the perfect option for women who are looking for a more natural childbirth experience and are willing to invest time and effort into preparing for it.
Here are some statistics behind the utilization of hypnobirthing (Courtesy of Metro-Detroit Hypnobirthing):
23% Epidural Rate vs. 71% US Average
15% Cesarean vs. 33% US Average
18% Medical Induction vs. 41% US Average
Recommended Hypnobirthing Class:
I truly hope you are excited, prepared and getting ready for your birth plan to come to life! If you ever need more information or have input please leave a comment below.
Jasmine Robertson
Frequently asked questions (faq)
1. What is the best hospital for maternity care near Oxford, Lake Orion and Rochester Hills, Michigan?
There are several excellent hospitals nearby that provide maternity care. Some of the best hospitals are Beaumont Hospital, Troy & Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak (Beaumont is now Corewell Health).
2. What are some important considerations when choosing a maternity care provider?
Some important considerations when choosing a maternity care provider include:
The provider's experience and qualifications
The location and convenience of the provider's office or facility
The provider's philosophy and approach to childbirth
The availability of a birth center or home birth options
The availability of pain management options
The provider's policies on interventions such as induction or c-sections
The provider's availability for prenatal visits and delivery
3. How much does it cost to have a baby in Michigan?
The cost of having a baby varies depending on the type of care you choose and your insurance coverage. Generally, hospital births are more expensive than birth center or midwife services. So if cost is a high concern for you and your pregnancy is low risk you may want to explore midwife/birth center services in more depth! As of 2020 the average cost to give birth in a hospital in Michigan is $12,711 (See article).
Personal Note: My bill for OBGYN was about $6,000 and my hospital stay without any epidural or complications was about $8,000. So best case scenario for an OB/Hospital care package with a 24 Hour stay and no medications is around $14,000 before Insurance. If I were trying to save money and had a relatively uncomplicated pregnancy I would entertain a midwife service instead of a hospital stay.
4. What services do midwives provide for expectant mothers and families?
Midwives provide a range of services for expectant mothers and families, including:
Prenatal care, including physical exams, blood tests, and ultrasounds
Assistance with creating a birth plan and preparing for childbirth
Continuous support during labor and delivery
Postpartum care, including physical exams, breastfeeding support, and guidance on newborn care
Emotional and mental health support for the mother and family
5. What are the different types of midwives and where can they provide care?
There are two main types of midwives: certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) and certified professional midwives (CPMs). CNMs are trained as both nurses and midwives, while CPMs are trained specifically as midwives. CNMs can provide care in hospitals, birth centers, and some may even offer home births. CPMs typically provide care in birth centers or homes.
6. Why is it important to have a plan in place for post-partum care and support?
Having a plan in place for postpartum care and support is important because the postpartum period can be challenging for new mothers and families. This includes physical recovery from childbirth, adjusting to a new baby, and coping with hormonal changes. Having a plan in place can help ensure that new mothers receive the support they need to recover and adjust to their new role as a parent. This may include support from family and friends, assistance with household chores, and access to professional postpartum care such as lactation consultants or mental health services.
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or medical professional, this is advice based on experience. If you are having medical issues please talk to your doctor that is aware of your unique medical history!
