The Sanctuary of Woman Care

My Woman Care appointment today was just amazing.

Last week I had a meet and greet consultation with Sharon, one of the 3 nurse midwives that operate Woman Care. Brant came with me, and it was a perfect fit. The waiting room is about a quarter of the size of Olympia ObGyn, with two rows of 3 chairs, a couch, a rocking chair, and a child's rocking chair. The walls are a cream color, with a wine accent wall on one side. Beautiful maternal art hangs on each wall.
Sharon was warm and welcoming, and also very professional. Immediately following the appointment we arranged to have our files transferred and I scheduled my first appointment with the nurse (today) and my subsequent initial appointment with one of the midwives (next week).

Today I was ushered into a cozy little office, where I lounged on a comfortable couch and chatted with Barbara(?) as she and I reviewed my medical history. She offered much information about Woman Care's philosophy, from physicals to breast-feeding, that really gave me a sense that I belong here, with these wise women. She also offered up anecdotes that made me smile and served to remind me of issues Brant and I will need to consider in the future. And as she is also a doula, she really helped put me at ease. There was a moment where I got really emotional, when discussing my previous care at Olympia ObGyn, and she was so supportive and gentle, letting me cry a little.

Some little facets to note:
These ladies are nurse midwives, and as such are quite in their element in a hospital setting. Barbara has worked with Sharon and Karen for over twelve years; they form such a great team and they really know one another.
I was relieved to hear that they don't complete as many 'routine' pelvic exams as other offices. Barbara was so funny when she said, "You don't need to feel a woman's cervix to know if she's in labor; just look at her face. She'll tell you." She said, quite wisely, I think, they check a woman's cervix as-needed; many women who have a rock-hard cervix go into labor and deliver that night, and some women are dilated 5cm and stay that way for over a week. That said, it happens often, and especially toward the end, but not in the same way I'd been lead to believe.
She also said that (in normal conditions) after delivery baby immediately goes on mama for skin-to-skin contact (or dad, if mama prefers) for at least an hour. That made me feel really safe. And she also told me about that the standard treatment of the baby post-delivery (vitamin K shot, Hep B shot, eye ointment, and a bath) are also optional. She explained each treatment, the pros and cons, but also reminded me that as a mother, it is my choice and not the hospital's, and not even the midwife's.

And finally, she gave me a piece of dark chocolate, along with literature about the safety of eating chocolate while pregnant. The bottom line, she said, is if the mama is happy, the baby is happy.
Sigh. I think I am in heaven.