The Midwifery Model of Care reflects a commitment to comprehensive, compassionate, and individualized care.

why midwifery

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Continuity and Relationship-Centered Care: With midwifery, you are supported by the same care provider throughout your pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum. This guaranteed connection allows your midwife to truly know you, your preferences, and your unique needs, fostering trust and shared decision-making with you and your family.

Expertise in Normalcy: Midwives specialize in caring for low-risk mothers and babies, supporting the normal physiological processes of pregnancy and birth. They are trained to monitor for any deviations and respond appropriately, ensuring safe, individualized care while minimizing unnecessary interventions.

Holistic Approach: Birth is not an illness. Midwives focus on supporting and restoring the body’s natural processes, emphasizing diet, lifestyle, and appropriate supplementation before considering more intervention-heavy approaches. Care addresses physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, fostering health and resilience for both mother and baby.

Individualized Care: Every pregnancy and birth is unique. Midwives tailor care to meet each client’s specific needs, rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach.

malta’s approach

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prenatal care

Rooted in relationship and whole-person wellness.

- Routine Visits: Regular visit to monitor the health of both mother and baby including, blood pressure, fetal heart tones, and assessment of fetal growth and positioning.
- Lab work and Ultrasound Referral
- Education and Counseling: Providing information of pregnancy, labor, birth, postpartum, breastfeeding, nutrition, and newborn care.
- Nutritional and Lifestyle Guidance
- Birth Planning: Collaborating with the expectant family to develop a personalized plan that aligns with the mother’s preferences and needs.

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labor and birth

Honored with expertise and celebration.

- Monitoring: Observation of labor progress, auscultation of fetal heart rate, and collection of maternal vital signs to ensure mother and baby are both stable.
- Emotional and Physical Support / Pain Management: Reassurance and encouragement given to help the family stay focused and comfortable throughout the labor process. Assistance with position changes, water immersion, and other coping techniques discussed beforehand.
- Assist with Delivery and Immediate Postpartum Period: Catch or help mom and dad catch their baby, deliver the placenta, and suture perineal lacerations.
- Maintain a Family Centered Environment: Assist with immediate skin to skin, encourage early breastfeeding, weigh/measure/assess baby at mother’s bedside, and provide herbal bath for both mom and baby.
- Emergency Care: Detection and intervention of complications or emergencies that may arise during labor and delivery.

postpartum

Cradled in care, recovery, and family connection.

- Postpartum Checkups and Newborn Care: In-home follow-up visits to assess your physical and emotional well-being. This includes evaluating your baby’s health—such as weight gain, feeding patterns, and overall development—while providing guidance on newborn care and addressing common concerns.
- Breastfeeding Support: Assistance with breastfeeding techniques, help overcoming any challenges and providing education on lactation and infant feeding.
- Emotional Support: Encouragement to help you navigate the changes of new motherhood, address postpartum mood changes, and connect you with mental health resources as needed.
- Education and Resources: Provide information on postpartum self-care, covering physical recovery, nutrition, and rest, while also connecting you with additional resources or referrals if necessary.

"Having Shiane as my midwife was truly a blessing!"

Having Shiane as my midwife was truly a blessing! From my prenatal appointment to the birth and delivery of my daughter to the postpartum care, she was so kind and helpful. When needed, she was direct and honest not setting my expectations from reality. She set my mind at ease when I was nervous or worried and always checked in and cared about my concerns. My husband and I truly couldn't have wished for a better midwife! I hope to have all my babies with Shiane!
-LR
"The actual birth of my baby was an experience I will cherish forever. "

Coming from a medical background, I initially started my pregnancy following an OB, however the more research I did, I knew I wanted to delivery naturally and after multiple visits with my OB, I realized it was going to be very difficult to have the birth I wanted in a hospital setting. From the first visit, I knew it was special. Shiane spent an hour with me on my visit discussing my pregnancy, worries, concerns, desires, etc. I felt so heard and welcome from day one. After transferring care, I knew I made the best decision. Each appointment I went to, I felt like Shiane was not only caring for me and my baby’s physical body, but my emotional and mental health as well. She included me in decisions of care and explained everything thoroughly.
The actual birth of my baby was an experience I will cherish forever. Through every contraction, my team was calm, positive, and caring. Shiane listened to my baby’s heart rate after every contraction and I felt safe and knew I was in good hands the entire time. Because of midwifery care and the confidence my midwife gave me, I was able to have the birth I had always imagined. They followed me and my baby’s health throughout the 4th trimester as well, which as a first-time mom, I needed this care the most! I felt equally cared for during my pregnancy as I did after! I will forever be grateful for all the care.
-SD
" From the first appointment with Shiane, I felt safe and respected."

When we found out we were pregnant and now living in Lubbock away from our previous provider I was worried about finding someone I trusted and felt safe with. From the first appointment with Shiane, I felt safe and respected. She respected the knowledge I already had about birth and helped me understand the things I didn’t. She continually had the answers and resources that reassured mine and my husband’s confidence in her as a provider. When our daughter presented in an atypical way at birth she was calm and confident. Then within the first few weeks when our daughter wasn’t gaining weight as quickly as normal Shiane advocated for me and connected me to the needed resources. I would trust Shiane with a future pregnancy and any friend or family.
-JD
"Shiane has been absolutely phenomenal. "

From the initial consultation to my last postpartum visit, my experience with Shiane has been absolutely phenomenal. She is kind, compassionate, and extremely thorough. She supported me and my family in every decision we made throughout pregnancy and labor, allowing me to have a redeeming and peaceful birth experience. I cannot recommend having her on your birth team enough!
-BM

FAQ’S

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Choosing midwifery care is a meaningful and deeply personal decision, and it’s completely natural to have questions along the way. From understanding the midwifery model of care to knowing what to expect during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, we believe you deserve clear, thoughtful information as you explore your options.

To support you in this process, we’ve created a dedicated FAQ page that addresses many of the questions families commonly ask. Our goal is to offer transparency, reassurance, and insight into how we provide care, so you can feel confident and supported as you consider whether our practice is the right fit for your family and your birth preferences.

If you don’t see your question answered, we always welcome you to reach out — we’re here to help guide you every step of the way.

read faq's