Pregnancy

Welcome to the Back Cove Midwives! 

We are delighted that you are interested in having a midwife attend you in labor and birth. Philosophically, midwifery care embodies the concept that you are experiencing a great transition in your life, physically, emotionally and mentally. As midwives, we value your ability to have a healthy pregnancy and to give birth in a supportive environment, where you are provided the opportunity to make choices and are encouraged to ask questions and learn as much as possible about this experience. Please feel free to bring your partner as well as other children, friends and family members along to your visits. In addition, please bring any questions or concerns with you as there is always plenty of time to address your issues.

Dear Leah,

Wow, what an amazing and wonderful Christmas that we had this year. Thank you so much for helping us to bring Anna into our lives and hearts - in a way that helped us to feel safe, secure and empowered.

You are wonderful,

Thank you!

- Peace and Love,
Karen, Bill and Anna Lane

At your first visit, which is around your 8th week, we will ask you a series of questions to determine your health history and also discuss topics such as nutrition, exercise, prenatal testing and first trimester discomforts. Your initial exam with the midwives is at your second visit, around 10 weeks, when your baby’s heartbeat is usually audible. The 10 week visit includes a full physical and a Pap smear if you have not had one within the last year. After these first two visits, you will come into the office every 4 weeks until your 32nd week of pregnancy, then every 2 weeks until your 36th week of pregnancy. For the remainder of your pregnancy, from 36 weeks on, you will have a visit every week. At each visit, we will have plenty of time to talk and to check on baby by measuring your abdomen and listening for fetal heart tones.

Unique in the Portland area, we also offer you the opportunity to participate in our Connections Group program. Group visits enrich your understanding of pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period. Our favorite aspect of Group is the community that develops amongst the members. Sharing the experience of pregnancy with families who are all embarking on the journey can be a normalizing and rewarding experience for all involved.

In addition, one of the four of us is always on call, 24 hours a day. If you have an emergency, please do not hesitate to call us at any time. If you have questions that are not emergencies, after hours or on weekends, we ask that you please limit your calls to waking hours.