bellyfruit midwifery services

Planning for pregnancy
Our range of services includes caring for women who are not yet pregnant. We offer fertility information and counseling and herbal fertility support.

We also provide free consultations with couples that want to learn more about midwifery care before pregnancy.

Holistic pregnancy care
All prenatal appointments take place at the Bellyfruit office located in SE Portland. We will come to your home for a visit at approximately 36 weeks to get an understanding of your birth space and, if requested, to bring your birth tub.

We encourage partners and older siblings to attend as many prenatal visits as possible so that we can all get to know one another. We also suggest that clients bring any support people planning to attend their birth to at least one prenatal visit.

The initial visit lasts one and a half hours. Subsequent prenatal visits last one hour and take place monthly until the 28th week of pregnancy; then once every two weeks until the 36th week of pregnancy. From 36 weeks until birth, prenatal visits take place once a week and last 30 minutes.

Routine prenatal visits consist of monitoring maternal health (vital signs, urinalysis, discussion of normal physical changes of pregnancy and any complaints), monitoring the health of the baby (fetal heart tones, fundal height), checking the baby’s position, nutritional counseling, and fostering our birth support relationship. During the prenatal period we explore how each family desires to create their birth space. A few of the questions we will discuss are: Who do you want present at the birth? What will your partner’s role be? How will any older siblings be involved in the birth?

All pregnant women experience some normal discomforts of pregnancy. We have knowledge of herbs, homeopathy, and natural remedies to address the expected aches and pains. If the recommended remedies aren’t enough, we can make referrals to skilled naturopaths and MDs in the community.

In addition, we guide you to resources in the community such as prenatal yoga classes, bodywork practitioners, chiropractors, acupuncturists, and new mothers groups. We have a lending library of birth-related books, periodicals and videos.

Clinical testing
Because birth is a natural process, not a medical event, it is the desire of most homebirth parents to keep medical interventions to a minimum. In our practice, tests are not done routinely. However, tests are available in the event that a client desires one, or if we determine clinical signs of a potential problem.

We have lab privileges at Legacy labs. All labs are drawn in our office. Ultrasound referrals are made.

Belly casting
Close to the estimated due date some women enjoy making a cast of their uniquely shaped pregnancy as a keepsake of this life-transforming experience. We can provide belly-casting supplies and direction, or help with the simple casting process. People often decorate their belly casts for display or line them with sheepskin for a baby cradle.

Labor and birth
Our role at the birth is to monitor the health of mother and baby and provide information, guidance, and support. We respect your privacy with your partner, while still remaining available for your needs.

We enjoy providing labor support. During labor we encourage privacy, eating and drinking, hydrotherapy and massage for pain relief, movement and position changes. We trust laboring mothers to listen to their bodies and find positions most natural to them. Labor progresses most effectively when interventions are kept to a minimum. We encourage women and their partners to catch their own babies, if desired.

When the baby is born we monitor mother and baby while making ourselves as unobtrusive as possible so your new family can bond. Cord cutting is delayed. If interventions are required to help the baby breath and clear her/his lungs, we do this as gently and respectfully as possible and in close contact with the parents.

We bring standard and emergency equipment to the birth. This includes a birth ball and birth stool, herbal tinctures, homeopathic remedies, Doppler and fetoscope, oxygen, resuscitation equipment, infant suctioning devices, IV equipment, anti-hemorrhagic medications, and suturing equipment. Clients order a personal birth kit from a local birth supply company at least one month prior to their estimated due date.

Water birth option
Many of our clients enjoy having a birth tub available to them during labor. Some women choose to labor in warm water to help with the pain and some give birth in the water. We provide a tub free-of-charge and you purchase a few supplies to customize the tub for your individual use. The tubs hold 150-gallons of water and are made of hard plastic. They fit through all standard size doors and can be placed wherever you choose in your home. We do all the clean up after the birth.

After-baby care
After the birth, we stay for at least 2-3 hours to ensure that mother and baby are stable, nursing is established, the family is fed, and the birth space is cleaned. We weigh, measure, and do a thorough examination of the baby.

We remain on-call for you postpartum in case there are any problems or you need support. Just as in the prenatal phase, we want to help connect you with resources in the community, including pediatricians, lactation consultants, and new mothers groups.

We return to your home for postpartum visits at 24 hours, 2 days, one week, and two weeks. Four-week and 6-8 week visits are done at the Bellyfruit office. The last postpartum visit includes a pap smear and discussion of family planning options if desired.

Fee services
Bellyfruit Midwifery Services accepts most private insurance, Oregon Health Plan “Open Card”, and retains a billing services professional to help facilitate claims. We offer a discount for early cash payment.






			We support you through the full cycle of the childbearing year. Our care offers… Planning for pregnancy Holistic pregnancy care Labor & birth After-baby care Fee Services Planning for pregnancy Our range of services includes caring for women who are not yet pregnant. We offer fertility information and counseling and herbal fertility support. We also provide free consultations with couples that want to learn more about midwifery care before pregnancy. Holistic pregnancy care All prenatal appointments take place at the Bellyfruit office located in SE Portland. We will come to your home for a visit at approximately 36 weeks to get an understanding of your birth space and, if requested, to bring your birth tub. We encourage partners and older siblings to attend as many prenatal visits as possible so that we can all get to know one another. We also suggest that clients bring any support people planning to attend their birth to at least one prenatal visit. The initial visit lasts one and a half hours. Subsequent prenatal visits last one hour and take place monthly until the 28th week of pregnancy; then once every two weeks until the 36th week of pregnancy. From 36 weeks until birth, prenatal visits take place once a week and last 30 minutes. Routine prenatal visits consist of monitoring maternal health (vital signs, urinalysis, discussion of normal physical changes of pregnancy and any complaints), monitoring the health of the baby (fetal heart tones, fundal height), checking the baby’s position, nutritional counseling, and fostering our birth support relationship. During the prenatal period we explore how each family desires to create their birth space. A few of the questions we will discuss are: Who do you want present at the birth? What will your partner’s role be? How will any older siblings be involved in the birth? All pregnant women experience some normal discomforts of pregnancy. We have knowledge of herbs, homeopathy, and natural remedies to address the expected aches and pains. If the recommended remedies aren’t enough, we can make referrals to skilled naturopaths and MDs in the community. In addition, we guide you to resources in the community such as prenatal yoga classes, bodywork practitioners, chiropractors, acupuncturists, and new mothers groups. We have a lending library of birth-related books, periodicals and videos. Clinical testing Because birth is a natural process, not a medical event, it is the desire of most homebirth parents to keep medical interventions to a minimum. In our practice, tests are not done routinely. However, tests are available in the event that a client desires one, or if we determine clinical signs of a potential problem. We have lab privileges at Legacy labs. All labs are drawn in our office. Ultrasound referrals are made. Belly casting Close to the estimated due date some women enjoy making a cast of their uniquely shaped pregnancy as a keepsake of this life-transforming experience. We can provide belly-casting supplies and direction, or help with the simple casting process. People often decorate their belly casts for display or line them with sheepskin for a baby cradle. Labor and birth Our role at the birth is to monitor the health of mother and baby and provide information, guidance, and support. We respect your privacy with your partner, while still remaining available for your needs. We enjoy providing labor support. During labor we encourage privacy, eating and drinking, hydrotherapy and massage for pain relief, movement and position changes. We trust laboring mothers to listen to their bodies and find positions most natural to them. Labor progresses most effectively when interventions are kept to a minimum. We encourage women and their partners to catch their own babies, if desired. When the baby is born we monitor mother and baby while making ourselves as unobtrusive as possible so your new family can bond. Cord cutting is delayed. If interventions are required to help the baby breath and clear her/his lungs, we do this as gently and respectfully as possible and in close contact with the parents. We bring standard and emergency equipment to the birth. This includes a birth ball and birth stool, herbal tinctures, homeopathic remedies, Doppler and fetoscope, oxygen, resuscitation equipment, infant suctioning devices, IV equipment, anti-hemorrhagic medications, and suturing equipment. Clients order a personal birth kit from a local birth supply company at least one month prior to their estimated due date. Water birth option Many of our clients enjoy having a birth tub available to them during labor. Some women choose to labor in warm water to help with the pain and some give birth in the water. We provide a tub free-of-charge and you purchase a few supplies to customize the tub for your individual use. The tubs hold 150-gallons of water and are made of hard plastic. They fit through all standard size doors and can be placed wherever you choose in your home. We do all the clean up after the birth. After-baby care After the birth, we stay for at least 2-3 hours to ensure that mother and baby are stable, nursing is established, the family is fed, and the birth space is cleaned. We weigh, measure, and do a thorough examination of the baby. We remain on-call for you postpartum in case there are any problems or you need support. Just as in the prenatal phase, we want to help connect you with resources in the community, including pediatricians, lactation consultants, and new mothers groups. We return to your home for postpartum visits at 24 hours, 2 days, one week, and two weeks. Four-week and 6-8 week visits are done at the Bellyfruit office. The last postpartum visit includes a pap smear and discussion of family planning options if desired. Fee services Bellyfruit Midwifery Services accepts most private insurance, Oregon Health Plan “Open Card”, and retains a billing services professional to help facilitate claims. We offer a discount for early cash payment.