Family Oriented Birth Care by Family Physicians

...from preconception to birth, postpartum, and beyond...

As Family Physicians, we bring a special family-oriented perspective to pregnancy and birth. We recognize that childbirth is a natural, positive, and joyful stage in the development of the family. Our goal for perinatal care is not only a healthy baby and mother, but also a healthy family.

In addition to quality obstetrical care, family-oriented perinatal care at Mad River Family Practice includes:

• Prenatal education and attention to family issues at prenatal visits
  • Families are important to the health of mother and baby, and concerns about your closest relationships are important to us

• Active participation by women in planning for birth
  • We encourage the participation of our patients in planning for birth. Planning for birth can be a time for preparing for healthy family relationships and bonding with the baby, your spouse or significant other, and other family members. We encourage participation in prepared childbirth classes at Mary Rutan Hospital along with the person you choose to support you during labor and birth.

• Low intervention maternity care, i.e. avoiding medical procedures unless clearly warranted
  • We consider pregnancy and birth a normal process.  It is our responsibility as your physicians to simply "watch over" the birth of your child, for when problems do sometime arise. You are the one giving prenatal care to your unborn child and you will birth the baby. 
  • We encourage both non-medical and medical approaches to pain relief and encourage you to be active during labor. Prenatal ultrasounds, fetal monitoring, I.V.'s, regional anesthesia, and episiotomies are not used on every patient, but are used when indicated or requested. We do not want to intervene unless it is clearly of medical benefit.

• Consultation with a specialist if needed
  • We are able to deal with most common complications of pregnancy, but when specialized services from a specialist are needed, we will continue to participate in your care.

• Continuing care of mother, infant, and family following birth
  • Unless you already have a family physician to whom we can refer you for ongoing family care, we will be happy to care for all family members, from baby on up.

Because we value continuity of care, you will see primarily one resident physician and one faculty physician for care throughout your pregnancy, and both of these physicians will be present for your birth. We do cover for each other if a physician is out of town or otherwise unavailable.

We welcome new patients, and their families. For an appointment, or simply a get-acquainted visit, please call 937-599-1411.