Being involved in your care from the earliest fetal movements to the first smiles, I get to know you really well. Our prenatal appointments last for an hour and are personalized for you. We take blood pressure-- and chat about how things are going! This intimacy helps us build the trust that is necessary during the delivery process. During the delivery, I can offer support and guidance more effectively if we communicate well and have an understanding. A relationship based on this mutual understanding helps you relax through the contractions and trust the process. Postpartum, although often overlooked, is another time I can offer help that might not otherwise be there. Home visits, and help with breastfeeding and newborn care help smoothen your transition into motherhood, whether it's the first time or the fifth! Every mother has different needs during her pregnancy, birth, and postpartum; I offer individualized care to address these in a way that is best suited to you. I consider it a true privilege to do this work and am looking forward to seeing many more families blossom and grow! Please contact me with any questions or inquiries. Thank you!

WHY A MIDWIFE?
The Midwives Model of Care is based on the fact that pregnancy and birth are normal life processes.

The Midwives Model of Care includes:

• Monitoring the physical, psychological, and social well-being of the mother throughout the childbearing cycle
• Providing the mother with individualized education, counseling, and prenatal care, continuous hands-on assistance during labor and delivery, and postpartum support
• Minimizing technological interventions
• Identifying and referring women who require obstetrical attention

The application of this woman-centered model of care has been proven to reduce the incidence of birth injury, trauma, and cesarean section.

Taken from www.cfmidwifery.org

QUOTES
"Shannon's calm and reassuring presence were so important to me throughout my labor."
Amy B.

"The matter of fact and clear explanations of the changes occurring during my pregnancy were really useful to me."
Reem B.

"I learned more about pregnancy and birth during this process than I did with my first two sons."
Isa W. (father)

"My husband and I felt really comfortable with you from the start!"
Christina M.

MIDWIFERY LINKS

www.cfmidwifery.org –A consumer based group promoting the midwifery model of care.

www.gentlebirth.org –A website run by a local midwife with great resources on everything from pediatricians to insurance reimbursement.

www.californiamidwives.org –A list of California midwives by county.

www.narm.org –North American Registry of Midwives, the site contains information on the professional status of midwifery in America.

www.thebusinessofbeingborn.com –A provocative film about modern obstetric care and midwifery's role in it.   A must see!

–A large prospective study which found that planned out of hospital births with midwives resulted in fewer interventions than hospital births.

MIDWIVES:

–Sage Femme Birth Center owned and operated by Judith Tinkelenberg in San Francisco, California, is where Shannon practices.

www.novamidwifery.com –Mason Cornelius does homebirths in Dublin, San Ramon and around the East Bay.

www.rebirthmidwifery.com –Abigail Reagan is a homebirth midwife in San Francisco.

http://parents.berkeley.edu/ –An invaluable local resource with information on everything from vaccines to Bay Area outings with kids.

Islamic Parenting –This blog is now closed, but the archives are an excellent and insightful take on mothering in general, and mothering as a Muslim in particular.

–A list of questions and answers regarding pregnancy, birth, and the newborn for Muslim parents.

–La Leche League International's website can help you locate a La Leche League group in your area.

–Sharon Storton MFT,   a local therapist with a passion for helping women suffering postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety disorders.

www.cure-guide.com –Local holistic pediatrician, Dr Randall Neustaedter's website has many articles on natural health for children and adults.