Eden Song Maternity, Inc.

North Richland Hills, Texas 817-703-1542

Eden Song Maternity Home

Midwifery & Home Birth

Midwife Bonnie Kitchen

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Midwifery


Midwife means "with woman".  Traditionally midwives have been a knowledgeable birth attendant that is present during all or part of labor and assists in the birth of a baby.  Most often this person has been a woman who through age and experience has seen many different births in many different circumstances.  this experience enabled her to spot normal labor progression and potential problems.  Often she would be able to offer the laboring mother suggestions during labor and birth that would aid in an easier and safer delivery.  This woman rarely met the mother for the first time during labor.  Most often the midwife had know her since birth perhaps even attending her own mother in labor.  At the very least the midwife had been in contact with the mother during her pregnancy.  In this way the wise woman was available to offer advice on diet and perhaps herbs that would give the mom and babe the best odds of a healthy delivery.  In many places the midwife would also advise the new mother on breastfeeding, baby care, and future family planning.  When circumstances arose outside of the midwives expertise she would then call on the local medical community.

Midwives today are not much different.  They are not the filthy poorly educated women society has been led to view them as.  In the United Sates midwives are required to become certified according to the state they practice in.  This criteria varies depending on the type of midwifery  certification the midwife is seeking.  The common threads though are; some form of book knowledge, a written test, and an apprenticeship.

Midwives provide Complete Maternity care




This includes all prenatal (antenatal) care for healthy pregnant women.
 Including but not limited; to risk assessment, nutritional counseling, all lab work including- blood grouping, rhesus factor screening, antibody screening, hematocrit/hemoglobin, and HIV testing.,Urinalysis, Blood pressure monitoring, weight gain assessment, fetal well being assessment, 24 hour access to your midwife, education in areas of relaxation, pregnancy, and childbirth. Referrals for chiropractors and sonogram.
Labor and birth (intra-partum) care of mother and baby.
Full Labor assessment including-dialatation, effacement,fetal position, blood pressure monitoring, continuing fetal well-being assessment
Pain management without drugs utilizing relaxation, massage, aroma therapy, water therapy, pressure points, water birth and more.
All equipment for birth is provided including emergency resuscitation and oxygen therapy
Techniques for avoiding episiotomy or tears using warm oil massage and compresses
Full family involvement in birth with all newborn procedures done with parents (PKU and State Required antibiotic)
Trained in emergency procedures and management
Breastfeeding assistance and education
Care of family after the birth.  Including Postnatal visits for mom and baby.  As well as family centered advice for the new family.
Birth record and Certificate Filed, Social Security Number
Post natal visits for up to 8weeks
Continuing breastfeeding support, newborn well being assessment, and maternal well being assessment
Family planning and dynamics advice

Midwives do not:

Midwives do not tell you where and how to have your baby
Midwives do not force decisions on you.  You decide what is best for you and your family.
Midwives do not perform surgical births
Midwives do not restrict your movements while you are in labor
Midwives do not perform episiotomy unless the baby is in serious distress
Midwives do not take your baby away from you after the birth
Midwives do not abandon you after the birth with no follow up care
Midwives do not give your baby bottles of sugar water or formula

Is Out of Hospital Birth Safe?


In short YES!  A planned home birth attended by a qualified attendant of a healthy woman is safe.  Several things are done to ensure that theses things line up properly.  The first is mothers willingness to keep herself healthy and informed.  The next is for the parents to find a qualified birth attendant.  The last is for these two things to harmonize into a relationship that is in the best interest of mother and baby.  If a mother is willing to follow these steps she can and most likely will have a safe and happy home birth!  There are many sources available to support this if you would like to see some look at our favorite links page.
Contact us by phone or email to schedule a no cost consultation.
bonnie.kitchen@speakeasy.net            817-703-1542