birth your own way
Because you feel confident in your ability to birth. Because you're healthy, not sick. Because you want to know who will be there. Because you feel safe. Because you want more than one or two people present at the birth, and your kids, too. Because maybe you've done it before and you know you can do it. Because you've done it before and know that you deserved better. Because you want to birth in water. Because your partner wants to catch the baby. Because birth is normal.
We offer home birth 60 minutes from Hamilton, NJ, and birth center births at the beautiful Our Birthing Center in Lakewood, NJ. In both settings you are supported by midwife Krystina Derrickson and a midwifery assistant or nurse.
We follow the midwifery model of care, which understands birth as a normal physiological experience. Our role is to support normal. You receive complete continuity of care, not only meaning that you know who will support you in birth, but we will have the opportunity to develop a relationship, getting to know you and what’s important to you. You also receive exceptional postpartum care, with close provider contact and frequent visits in-home during the first two weeks postpartum, and a final six week appointment.
Photo by Hayden Trace
In this model of care, you have power and agency. You take personal responsibility for your wellness, including eating nourishing foods, exercising, and managing stress. I don’t dictate your care, instead, I provide wisdom, insight, and options. Questions? Check out the homebirth FAQ!
“It’s impossible to thank you enough for the amazing support you provided during our pregnancy and birth. Our experience would not have been as extraordinary, transformative, or filled with as much love and security if you had not been a part of it. From the moment we met you, we felt an instant connection thanks to your warmth, caring, and wisdom. It was truly a privilege to learn from you each visit and to get to know you, and a special joy that you helped deliver our baby.”
prenatal care
- Monthly appointments until 28 weeks; bi-weekly appointments from 28-36 weeks; and weekly appointments after 36 weeks. Prenatals include warm conversation, plenty of time to answer your questions, an assessment of your vitals, your baby's growth and heart rate, and occasional labwork.
- All routine prenatal labwork, including genetic screening as desired.
- Extensive nutritional, herbal and lifestyle counseling for a healthy pregnancy and for common pregnancy and postpartum challenges. This includes plenty of resources for you to explore outside of appointments.
labor & birth
- You're supported by myself and a birth assistant or nurse in active labor until 3-5 hours postpartum.
- My role is to hold space for a safe experience, which includes listening to the baby's heart, monitoring your vitals, and having at the ready midwifery equipment and medications to help if the need arises.
- After connecting with your new baby, I provide a newborn exam to assess your baby's wellness.
postpartum care
- Home visits at around 24 hours postpartum, additional visits in the first week postpartum, then at two weeks and six weeks postpartum, and as needed, assessing both parent and newborn wellness.
- Newborn metabolic screening ("PKU test"), Critical Congenital Heart Defect screening, Hearing Screen referral, and lab work as desired or needed.
- Lactation support is provided to ensure that the first few weeks go as smoothly as possible.
- We will discuss healthy and supportive foods and herbs for the postpartum.
- Dry cupping for postpartum recovery
- Wellness Care as desired at your 6 week postpartum, which can include a Pap smear.
miscarriage support
- I offer counseling on miscarriage options, including options for expectant management.
- Lab work as needed or desired
- Lactation options and support
