Midwifery
 Midwifery Model of Care At Stowe Natural Family Health, our midwives and apprentices practice the Midwifery Model of Care as defined by the midwifery task force: “As a midwife, she monitors the physical, psychological and social well-being of each mother throughout their childbearing cycle. She provides every mother with individualized education, counseling, and prenatal care. She provides continuous hands-on assistance during labor and delivery as well as postpartum support. Her goal is to minimize intervention, while safely identifying and referring women who require obstetrical attention.” This woman-centered model of care has been proven to reduce the incidence of birth injury, trauma, and Caesarean delivery. See link to Canadian Medical Association Journal here. |
Our Birth Philosophy:
We believe birth is a normal natural life process. As midwives, we seek to create a space of safety and comfort for the mother to define for herself her own birth experience. We believe that birth involves the whole family and their community and should therefore be upheld as a unifying event. Pregnancy is a period of emotional and spiritual growth as well as the obvious physical growth that happens. Because this is a very special and personal experience for families, we consider it a privilege and an honor to assist women and their families during this life-altering time. 
Our youngest apprentice
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 Karen with a newborn.
Services:
Preconception Counseling/ Program Prenatal Care Labor and Delivery/ Home Birth Water Birth Birth Tub Rentals Home Visits, Prenatal and Postpartum Postpartum Care Newborn Care Breastfeeding/Lactation Support Family Planning Ongoing Pediatric Health Care |
Home Visit Check-Up
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Naturopathic Midwifery Training:
In addition to the naturopathic medical education, naturopathic midwives complete two to three years of pregnancy-related coursework and extensive clinical training in prenatal/postpartum care and birth. Coursework includes normal pregnancy and birth as well as specific training in recognition of prenatal, labor, postpartum and neonatal complications. Clinical training includes observation and management of prenatal visits, natural delivery, and postpartum visits. Dr. Robens has attended and managed well over 300 births and counting! To practice the art of midwifery as a naturopathic physician in the State of Vermont, the applicant must graduate from an accredited college of midwifery (as well as attain their doctorate of naturopathic medicine), and
successfully pass both the national midwifery board examination (NARM) and the
American College of Naturopathic Obstetricians (ACNO) board exam.
In addition to the naturopathic medical education, naturopathic midwives complete two to three years of pregnancy-related coursework and extensive clinical training in prenatal/postpartum care and birth. Coursework includes normal pregnancy and birth as well as specific training in recognition of prenatal, labor, postpartum and neonatal complications. Clinical training includes observation and management of prenatal visits, natural delivery, and postpartum visits. Dr. Robens has attended and managed well over 300 births and counting! To practice the art of midwifery as a naturopathic physician in the State of Vermont, the applicant must graduate from an accredited college of midwifery (as well as attain their doctorate of naturopathic medicine), and
successfully pass both the national midwifery board examination (NARM) and the
American College of Naturopathic Obstetricians (ACNO) board exam.
Carol Anne Lively Robens
Photo used under Creative Commons from davhor
