Words cannot express how much this experience has meant to me. I cannot remember a time I have felt more happy and present than I felt the days after Kate's birth. What a gift you helped me give myself. Your role in our lives as a family will never be forgotten. With much thanks and love. Meagan

A simple" thank you" doesn't seem adequate in expressing our appreciation for all you did to help bring Everett into the world. Having you there reassuring us and giving us the confidence to give birth at home gave us a wonderful experience. Your professionalism and calm, easy-going manner made this experience amazing. We love recalling and retelling others about Everett's birth. I wish all women could have such a great experience. You are all that midwives should be! All our love and thanks. Andy & Amber

Having our baby with Health Foundations was truly a life changing experience. After having a c-section with our first child, we had no idea what to expect from our second labor. Amy and Kate were incredibly supportive, loving, yet firm and always believed in my ability to birth my baby, perhaps more than I believed in myself. Part of the success of our pregnancy and birth was Amy and Kate's faith in my body's ability to do what it does naturally. They not only guided me along the pregnancy with amazing tips, advice and encouragement, but they also supported me emotionally through one of the most vulnerable times in my life. We feel absolutely blessed to have had the opportunity to work with Health Foundations. If we have any more children, they will be hired on the spot! Chanda

Labor & Delivery

This is your birth. A completely personal event. You may choose to labor with the support of very few people and the monitoring of your midwifery team. Or you may see your birth as a family experience and family, friends, or support professionals you want to be with you are welcomed. We easily incorporate fathers, partners, and children into the process.

You will be encouraged and supported in moving and laboring in whatever way is most comfortable for you and that allows you the greatest level of relaxation and mastery of coping with your labor. You may walk, sit, lie in bed, or relax in water. We encourage you to eat and drink throughout labor to maintain your energy. We take birth plans very seriously, and unobtrusively monitor labor with a minimum of vaginal examinations.

At the moment of your birth and the precious moments following it, our focus is to allow you the fullness of this time together uninterrupted with as little interference as possible. Mother and baby are never separated and both are monitored and tended together.

Partner Participation

We take partners' role as parents very seriously and welcome and encourage their full participation. When appropriate, fathers or partners may "catch" their baby (after the midwife has guided the delivery of the head and shoulders). There is also the option of cutting the cord.

"Fathers & partners who accepted the opportunity to 'catch' their own babies (in uncomplicated births with supervision) were twice as involved with their baby three months after the births as the dads & partners who had not had this experience". Dr. John Gottman, The Relationship Research Institute, on a study conducted by obstetricians Myron Levine and Robert Black.

Water Birth

Warm water often helps muscles relax. Sometimes referred to the "midwife's epidural", the combination of buoyancy and relaxation lowers stress and allows the laboring woman's body to function very efficiently. Babies seem to like it too. The transition from water to water eases the entry for many babies and has a soothing effect on the whole family. We are very comfortable with and skilled in water birth and will offer it as an option for birth when appropriate.

Heated birth tubs are available to rent if labor or birth in water is part of your birth plan and you are delivering at home. There are birth tubs in each of the birth suites if you plan to deliver at the birth center.

Birth Tub Rental

Our tubs are specifically designed for labor and birth. Our tubs have heaters to maintain the water temperature throughout your labor. They are deep enough to provide buoyancy and large enough to accomodate two adults and a variety of labor positions. We deliver birthing tubs to homes and hospitals throughout the Greater Twin Cities area. Our comprehensive service includes delivery, set-up and phone support, as well as tub removal. All necessary equipment is provided with the rental.