Labor and Birth
As labor begins, we stay closely connected, offering guidance and reassurance as you find your way through those early hours. When active labor begins, your midwifery team joins you at home and remains present as your labor unfolds.
Throughout your birth, we thoughtfully monitor both you and your baby, balancing attentive clinical care with respect for the natural rhythm of labor. We come prepared with the equipment, medications, and expertise needed to respond to common birth emergencies—the same level of essential preparedness you would expect in a freestanding birth center.
Whether you choose to labor in the quiet of your own bedroom, surrounded by family, or immersed in the warm, calming support of water, your birth is yours to move through in the way that feels most natural and supported to you.
We believe safety and sacredness can exist together. Our care is grounded in clinical knowledge and experience, while honoring your instincts, your autonomy, and the profound experience of bringing new life into the world.
Your labor and birth care includes:
- ✓A licensed midwife and midwife assistant on rotating call beginning at 37 weeks, ready to support you as your birth journey begins
- ✓Ongoing communication and guidance during early labor, with your midwifery team joining you at home once active labor begins
- ✓Regular monitoring of you and your baby throughout labor and birth to support ongoing well-being
- ✓Access to complimentary birth tubs when available, for families who choose the comfort and support of water during labor or birth
- ✓Preparation and treatment for postpartum bleeding when needed, including standard medications, IV fluids, oxygen, and herbal support
- ✓Antibiotics when medically indicated
- ✓Neonatal resuscitation equipment, including CPAP, positive-pressure ventilation, and suction, with a team that maintains current Neonatal Resuscitation Program certification
- ✓Skilled repair of first- and second-degree tears when indicated, including local anesthesia for your comfort
- ✓Vitamin K and erythromycin when you choose these newborn interventions
- ✓A complete head-to-toe newborn examination and attentive care for both you and your baby in the first hours after birth
- ✓Support with your baby’s first feed, whether through lactation, pumping, or bottle feeding
- ✓Thoughtful coordination and transfer of care to the hospital if additional medical support becomes necessary
- ✓Complete cleanup of your birth space, allowing you to remain present in those first precious moments with your baby
Is Home Birth Right for You?
Home birth is appropriate for women with low-risk pregnancies who are healthy, have had uncomplicated prenatal courses, and are comfortable with the home setting. It's not the right choice for every pregnancy, and Music City Midwifery is committed to being honest with families about who is and isn't a good candidate. That honesty is part of the care.
During your initial consultation, your midwife will review your health history, discuss any risk factors, and give you a clear picture of whether home birth is a safe option for your specific situation. If circumstances change during pregnancy, your midwife will talk with you openly about what that means for your care plan.
Some situations that may affect eligibility for home birth include:
- —Multiple gestation (twins or more)
- —Certain pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia or placenta previa
- —Significant maternal health conditions
- —Gestational age outside of a safe range for planned home birth
This isn't a complete list. Your midwife will review your full history with you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Home Birth
For low-risk pregnancies, planned home birth attended by a licensed midwife is a safe option. Research supports comparable outcomes to hospital birth for healthy women with uncomplicated pregnancies. Your midwife will assess your individual risk factors and be transparent about what the evidence shows for your specific situation.
Midwives are trained to manage emergent events that can happen in low-risk populations, including excessive bleeding, a baby having trouble transitioning, or shoulder dystocia. We carry the same medications used in birth centers and hospitals to treat hemorrhage, maintain certification in Neonatal Resuscitation Protocol, and carry resuscitation equipment.
For more reading on homebirth safety and efficacy we recommend:
