Postpartum Services

Planning a hospital birth? 

Don’t miss out on the postpartum care you truly need and deserve!

I offer comprehensive medical and holistic postpartum care for both you and your baby, all in the comfort of your own home.

As a licensed midwife and primary care provider, I provide six weeks of medical and holistic postpartum care for both the birthing parent and the newborn.

After returning home from the hospital, I will support you so you will be able to rest, recover, and focus on what matters most: healing and bonding with your baby.

My training and 35+ years of experience as a Licensed Midwife gives me substantial expertise in assessing and supporting normal parental and newborn health. If I observe anything outside of the normal postpartum scope of practice, I will recommend an appropriate follow up visit with your baby’s pediatrician or your own care provider.

“Ellen provided gentle and comprehensive midwifery care at our home for our postpartum visits.  She was so kind and gentle with our baby for all the needed vital checks and measurements, and answered our many questions about breastfeeding, how to evaluate the wellbeing and comfort of our baby, and how to take care of myself in the early postpartum days.  We felt at ease with her and were happy to have her as a valuable caregiver in the early days!”

—  A. C.

How it works

I will be caring for you within the first 6 weeks of your postpartum period.

  • You will receive 6 home visits. Each visit will be 1-2 hours long.
  • I will also be available by phone, text and e-mail for questions that arise outside of our visits.
  • The first 3 visits will take place during your first week home from the hospital
  • The next 3 visits will take place at 2 weeks 4 weeks and 6 postpartum
  • The postpartum schedule can vary depending on your recovery needs.

Visits Include

For Birthing Person

  • Getting settled in at home
  • Vital signs,(BP, pulse, temp)
  • Fundal check (make sure your uterus is going back down to normal size appropriately)
  • Perineal care (including checking sutures for infection)
  • Diet support (including medications and supplements)
  • Discuss elimination (constipation, burning or pain with urination)
  • Breastfeeding/chestfeeding support (suggestions for sore nipples or clogged ducts, and preventing infection)
  • Check on your lochia (bleeding)
  • Blood work (hematocrit and hemoglobin) to check for anemia if you hemorrhaged
  • Help with emotional recovery from birth including processing the birth. …and of course, answering all your questions!

For Baby

  • Tracking weight gain
  • Help with nursing, including latch and frenulum check
  • Vital signs (heart and lungs, respirations, and temperature)
  • Checking overall general health
  • Umbilical cord care
  • Checking fontanelles for signs of dehydration
  • Discuss baby’s sleeping patterns (giving suggestions and advice)
  • Discuss elimination (evaluating pee and poop, checking color, frequency and looking for diaper rash)
  • Checking skin for rashes
  • Checking for signs of jaundice or thrush
  • Teaching soothing techniques
  • Support with colicky or fussy baby
  • Newborn screen (heel prick) if you choose not to do it in the hospital