Home Birth
Home birth is an option that can revolutionize the way you experience pregnancy and childbirth. Giving birth safely in your own space, surrounded by loved ones, empowers you to experience this as a truly rich, life-altering experience, instead of a medical procedure.
Our Birthing
Philosophy
We believe every person is entitled to compassionate, holistic care.
We are midwives because pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding are natural and beautiful functions of life. The Midwives Model of Care positions birth as an event that impacts people on a physical, emotional, and spiritual level. Within this understanding, we support clients in an out-of-hospital setting, guiding them through a transformational time in which they nurture themselves and their growing child. We assist you throughout your childbearing experience, but it is your responsibility to be an active participant in the shared decision-making process that prenatal care and pregnancy entail.
Expertise & Certifications
All providers and students working with West Michigan Midwifery have up-to-date certifications in CPR and neonatal resuscitation. We complete continuing education requirements and participate in peer review. In Michigan, as of August 1, 2019 midwives are licensed healthcare providers and the practice of midwifery is regulated by the Michigan Board of Licensed Midwifery.
Jennifer Holshoe, LM, CPM
received her training through Full Circle Midwifery Service in a direct four-year apprenticeship. She became a CPM in early 2016 and received her state license on August 1, 2019 when it became available.
ANNA STOWIE, LM, CPM
received her training through West MI Midwifery in a direct four-year apprenticeship. She became a Licensed CPM in 2023.
What to Expect
You can expect to get to know us well, to have continuity, and to feel optimally prepared for the experience of pregnancy and birth. We provide education and information throughout your pregnancy so that you are truly informed about all of your options and choices. Home birth allows freedom of movement throughout labor, helping your baby to navigate through your pelvis. Without being constrained to a bed, hooked up to an IV pole, or strapped with fetal monitoring belts, you are able to naturally change positions in labor, facilitating dilation and birth. At home, you are free to eat and drink as you labor, which helps maintain energy levels during the hard work of giving birth. You can labor in the privacy of darkness or with your support group around you. Home birth empowers you to labor in a way that best fits your needs.
Common Misperceptions
Many Americans believe hospitals are the safest place to give birth. In reality, the United States ranks #34 for infant mortality and #42 for maternal mortality in the developed world. For low risk clients, home births actually have a lower rate of intervention.
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Additional Resources
In addition to accessing the resources we’ve gathered, we believe it is important for you to conduct your own research on home birth. Where should you start? Trusted medical journals, like The Lancet, have documented home birth statistics over many years.
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Referrals
We have gathered a list of our preferred local professionals across a wide range of fields that may be of interest to your growing family. These include offices for physical therapy, breastfeeding support, general postpartum care, pediatric dentistry, and more.
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