Tell me about Genesis Midwifery:

Genesis was created from a desire to offer personalized, continuous care by the same midwife. This model of the same midwife every visit brings about great satisfaction for the midwife and client, as well as excellent health outcomes for moms and babies. It feels much more like a relationship than a transaction.

I offer in-home and virtual GYN services that cover a range of needs from in-home IUD insertions, to a holistic workup and treatment for infertility, or just an annual well woman visit with a Pap smear and breast exam.

My prenatal services are all in home- no travel or wait times! You get up to 15 visits with me over the course of pregnancy starting at 10-12 weeks and receive unlimited access to me for any questions or concerns throughout pregnancy until 6 weeks postpartum. Care is always tailored and personalized to your unique needs. I’m the only one on call for your labor and birth and I’m assisted by a birth assistant. You receive 4 in-home postpartum and newborn check ups at 36 hours post birth, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 6 weeks. These in-home visits are for mom and baby so it keeps you out of the pediatricians office until the baby is 2 months old, unless there is a problem. Who wants to pack up their baby and travel just a couple days after giving birth? I offer home birth and hospital birth options. If you choose a hospital birth, I work in the role of a doula and the on- call midwife at the hospital will care for you.

Tell me about your specific service and how it benefits expectant moms and their families. 

All my services benefit the client because the care is focused on the woman and her needs. There is a mutual relationship of trust that is built over time which is hard to get in traditional office settings.

My visits are about an hour long, where obstetric visits at a medical office are closer to 10-15 min long. I offer the luxury of time to my clients. We have no-rush appointments in the comfort and convenience of her home. This allows me to address all her questions, concerns, and fears and prepare for strong and confident approach to birth and the postpartum time period. The direct access is huge and unlike other practices. Clients can contact me anytime for questions or concerns. This is especially helpful in the postpartum period when there are questions about newborn care, breastfeeding, and body changes.

What specific areas do you serve?

How far do you travel? I travel up to 1 hour away or 60 miles approximately from Staunton. The main areas I serve are Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, Staunton/Waynesboro, Lexington, and Amherst.

How many years of experience do you have? 

I have 7 years experience as a labor and delivery nurse and 7 years experience as a Nurse Midwife. All of my career I was in the hospital setting and participated in a large volume of births in these roles.

This allowed me the experience to see almost every labor/birth complication there is. This experience serves me well in the home birth environment because I can predict complications more easily, and know what to do. Although most home births go very well, sometimes unexpected things happen and I feel I’m prepared to handle things when they veer from normal. I have been providing home birth services for the last 14 months and have absolutely loved it!

How soon in their pregnancy should an expectant mother reach out to you? 

Ideally, as soon as they have a positive pregnancy test because I only accept up to 2-4 clients per month for home birth. Some months book fast!

What can a client expect from their first experience with you? 

The client can expect a warm, kind, and approachable atmosphere where we are partners in care.

The first prenatal visit consists of lots of education to prepare for a healthy pregnancy and birth including nutrition and healthy lifestyle habits topics. I get to the know the woman and partner and what they want out of their experience with me. Care is tailored around those goals for the rest of the pregnancy and birth! At the first visit I also check blood pressure, get a weight on mom, and check baby’s heart beat- the best part!

Do you have any upcoming promotions or events? 

I will have a booth set up at Heart and Soul Fitness Wellness expo on March 4th 9a-12p and also at the Queen City Women’s Day in downtown Staunton March 11th 12-3pm.