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How We're Keeping Our Clients Safe; Our COVID-19 Safety Protocol

3/18/2020

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Note: Protocols and best practices for Covid-19 are changing rapidly. We are staying up-to-date on all recomendations and remain in close communication with our clients about updates to our protocols. The following is a base guideline and may need updating. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns. 

During this time of social distancing and self quarantine to reduce the risk of COVID exposure, a lot of people have questions about how these precautions will affect their pregnancy, their preferred place of birth and their newborn in the postpartum. The choice of a prenatal and postpartum care provider and a birth location remain very personal decisions and are based on unique factors to the person, family, and pregnancy. Each person may have a different outlook when it comes to hospital-based care vs home-based care, but the bottom line is: you are the expert on where you feel the safest and most supported during your pregnancy and postpartum. 


Coyote Midwifery is dedicated to providing prenatal / postpartum care and home birth to our community. The health and safety of our clients and the safety of Coyote midwives and families is paramount as we move forward. We have developed a COVID risk reduction protocol, based on the recommendations outlined by the CDC (found here), that we as midwives will follow while providing care to all who are in need of home-based care. 

Risk reduction protocol:
  • Initial consultation to take place remotely via phone or video call
  • If financially feasible, clients are encouraged to purchase a blood pressure cuff and fetal doppler so that they may take their own vitals while on Zoom video call with the midwives. 
  • Before every home visit:
    • Screening questions about the health and symptoms of all family members the level of social distancing followed by pregnant person and family 
    • Temperature monitoring of pregnant person and all family members
  • At each in-home appointment midwives will:
    • Immediately wash hands for 20 seconds.
    • Wear face masks for the duration of the visit. 
    • Minimize as much close proximity contact and physical contact while providing care. 
    • All vitals equipment will come sanitized and stored in a ziplock back. 
  • Between each appointment Coyote Midwives will schedule time allowing for removal of clothing and cleaning / sanitizing of equipment to prepare for the following appointment. 

As information continues to roll in we will continue to review and update this protocol. We know as providers we can always be better. If you have any requests on how we can make you feel more safe during your home appointment or birth, please let us know! 

                                                      Thank you. 


Additional info:
To learn more about the updated services being offered by Coyote Midwifery at this time, click here. 

For more information from the CDC on COVID and pregnancy, click here. 
For information from MD, Midwife and Herbalist, Aviva Romm, click here. 

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Introducing MAMA BEAR

3/13/2020

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Proudly introducing our upcoming documentary, Mama Bear
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Ok, a little background.

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​In the early Spring of 2018, our friend Noelle came to us for fertility support. We worked together closely for over a year and half – through excitement, heartbreak, and exhaustion – and in July of 2019, Noelle received her positive pregnancy test. By this point, we had founded Coyote Midwifery and invited Noelle to join our team as a birth assistant.  
          Like many, Noelle’s path to pregnancy was long and winding, but as a queer solo woman, it was also wrought with logistical challenges. As we joined her on this path, we began thinking of ways to share her story, because this story is far more common than you may think. While nontraditional families are becoming the norm in the United States, their experiences are grossly underrepresented in media. And so, with Noelle’s willingness to share her story and the support of Ryko Films, we began filming the documentary Mama Bear. 

Why is this story important?

​Our heteronormative society provides very little space for stories about queer and single parenthood. Depending on community or geographical location, there are people out there who think that the right to build a family doesn’t apply to them.

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THE NEXT STEP

​On Tuesday, March 17th, 2020 we will be launching a crowdfunding campaign through Seed & Spark, a resource specifically for filmmakers, which will include way more details about the project, and some great incentives for pledging. In the meantime any amount of promotion or contribution can help make this passion project come to fruition. As we await the campaign launch the easiest way to help out is to follow along on instagram and facebook, and share this blog post via social media to spread the word. 
Click the buttons below to follow us on:
Instagram
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You can also click here to subscribe to Mama Bear updates. 

Please feel free to comment with your questions and feedback and thank you for your continued support of Coyote Midwifery!

With so much love,
​Caitlin & Joni

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The Brutal Beauty of the Early Postpartum

3/8/2020

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The postpartum period is a time of immense growth and beauty. It can also be earth shatteringly difficult as our hearts burst open and we search for solid ground. 
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You are not alone. It’s ok to not be ok. These stories will save us. Lifting the veil, talking about the parts that hurt, is important and beautiful work. ⠀
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As midwives we aim to honor both parent and child as individuals as well as a dyad. You are important. Your story is important. We are listening. ⠀
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You are important.⠀
You are important.⠀
You are important. ⠀
“I want to know if you will stand in the center of the
fire with me and not shrink back.”⠀- Oriah

No matter who you are, no matter where you give birth, you deserve to feel seen and supported. Finding a care team dedicated to honoring the 4th trimester is one way to protect this sacred time. 

Coyote Midwifery's Home-Based Postpartum Care

​At Coyote Midwifery we believe that all birthing people should be granted access to comprehensive, personalized postpartum care, regardless of where they choose to give birth. Our home-based postpartum care package is designed for those attending prenatals and birthing in the hospital but who desire postpartum care tailored to the unique needs of the postpartum family. ⠀⠀⠀
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You shouldn't have to leave home to receive the care you need. Coyote’s postpartum care package is designed to protect the 4th trimester, which includes the initial three months after birth. This is a special time when parent and baby are adjusting to life separated while still relying on each other in so many ways. We come to you in your home to provide care in your nesting space. Remaining in this safe space can increase oxytocin while mitigating stress, allows for skin-to-skin and feeding on demand, promotes sleep and rest for healing bodies. ⠀⠀⠀
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Our hour-long appointments provide space for thoroughly assessing physical and emotional well-being and includes:⠀⠀⠀
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  • Vitals and wellness checks of both parent and baby at each visit⠀⠀⠀
  • Comprehensive lactation / feeding support⠀⠀⠀
  • Weight checks for baby⠀⠀⠀
  • Baby wearing support and education⠀⠀⠀
  • Emotional and Mental Support⠀⠀⠀
  • 24–7 on-call phone and texting availability through 6 weeks postpartum⠀⠀

To learn more about Coyote Midwifery's postpartum care click the link below: ⠀
Postpartum Care
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The birth of Coyote Midwife, Joni

3/1/2020

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By Cheryl Gile
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Joni wasn’t too eager to join the world. She was nine days past her due date.

February 26th
came and went, 27th, 28th….March 3rd we went to our doctor appointment and he performed a stretch and sweep to help get things rolling along. 

On March 4th
at 3pm I felt my first contraction!  We waited, dutifully counting the minutes between each one. After an hour my husband and I felt it was time and he called my mother.  We raced to the hospital, running red lights while my mother was tossed around the back seat each time my husband took a corner. 

At the hospital the nurse set me up in a bed and strapped a monitor around my belly.  After six hours of labor my cervix had only dilated to 3 cm. An x-ray was ordered to determine if I had enough room for the baby's head.

A nurse came into the room and said there was enough room and I would be given a shot of Pitocin to help with contractions. 

We labored 12 hours; after about 5 hours of intense labor my brain shut down and I don’t remember anything else.  My husband has never spoken about that forgotten time; it must have not been easy for him. I “woke up on March 5th at 8:00am, not realizing it was morning. The doctor performed an episiotomy and I was told it was time to push.  

30 minutes into pushing this tiny little being into the world the doctor said, if the baby was not delivered in the next 10 minutes he would use forceps. So I pushed. 
​Joni was delivered on March 5th at 9:02 in the morning. She weighed 8 lbs 6 ½ ounces, 20 ½ inches tall, and lots of dark brown hair; I am so blessed to have her in my life.
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  • Home
  • About
    • Philosophy
    • Meet the Team
    • What is a Midwife?
  • Fertility
    • Fertility Care
    • Getting Started
    • What to Expect with IUI
    • Fertility FAQ
  • Perinatal
    • Coyote Perinatal Care
    • Placenta Encapsulation
    • Additional Services
  • Gyn
    • Holistic Gynecology
  • Resources
    • Resources
    • For Clients
    • Gift Cards
  • Blog
  • Connect
  • Mama Bear