In Due Thyme

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In Due Thyme is a traditional midwifery practice of two partner midwives that assist women to give birth in their own home. Both women have been interested and active in birth since their teens. Vickie is currently credentialed by NARM as a CPM. Doran is an advanced student midwife accumulating experience to also receive her credential. She currently serves women under Vickie’s supervision. They serve in the Valley from Staunton to Winchester. 

Traditional Midwifery uses the apprenticeship model for a new midwife’s training.  Midwifery has ancient roots of women serving women, supporting them in their labors to give birth. Midwives rely on their hands as their key tool. Usually they use some holistic healing modality to support the laboring woman and prevent problems, as prevention is a hallmark of midwifery care. Their healing methods may range from ayurvedic, Chinese medicine, homeopathy and herbs, or a combination of some or all of them. Midwifery care also differs in that it brings with it the belief that women’s bodies are designed to give birth, and problems should no more be expected during birth than they would while eating your lunch. One traditional belief is that the safest course of care is to support the woman as she works with and through her labor with a minimum of interference including reducing cognitive interaction, sound and light. A midwives job is to protect and maintain the safe environment for the woman to birth in. When provided with this security, the vast majority of women birth safely, quickly and with less pain. A midwife’s skills with her hands allow her to discreetly monitor the baby as well as the labors progress, to determine problems and correct them, using hands-on methods before any irregularities become serious. 

Traditional Midwives are experts in normal, non-medicated birth. Another standard of midwifery care is patience. A midwife will go to the birthing woman as soon as the woman feels she desires her attendance, and will stay until the mother is resting comfortably with her newborn. Midwives are also diligent about the postpartum care of the family after the birth, making sure all are adjusting well, and the health of all continues to be protected.   Breastfeeding is strongly encouraged for both the baby’s and the mother’s health, and as a natural function of the woman’s body. Midwives make themselves accessible to the pregnant or newly birthed family, to deal with concerns and answer questions.

Another hallmark of midwifery care is a holistic belief that what effects one part of the body, affects all of it.  Because of that, midwives will guide an expectant mother to take the best possible care of her self and her baby, as this crucial aspect of preventative care will serve them well at birthing time. The midwife will utilize peer and community support besides the experience and skill she has to offer. Midwives encourage an excellent diet and special foods, herbs and supplements to correct deficiencies. Attention is given to the mother’s environment, her living conditions, relationships, support network, mental health and stress level in order to support the mother in her pregnancy and towards straightforward birthing. Education is a tradition for midwifery care.

Midwives differ in their interaction with the women they serve, in that they seek to develop a relationship with the expectant woman, in order to serve them better, and to promote a secure environment for laboring. It is expected that a relationship of trust will develop, which will allow the midwife to flow into the woman’s home when she arrives for the labor.  This relationship opens the way for honest communication between the midwife and client, helping the midwife to serve the woman more fully. 

In modern times midwifery based care has added two important aspects to care, one is focusing on evidence-based care, adding to her practice only those procedures and tests that have been shown to promote good health, safety and ease of birthing for both mother and baby. She will also practice Informed Consent, which means you will be provided with information not only about the benefits and risks of midwifery care, but also of different care providers and places of birth. Women that feel safest with the full range of modern procedures and testing are encouraged to seek care that meets her needs, and directed to supportive people in her community. 

If you are interested in traditional midwifery care, we would love for you to contact us.

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