In Amanda Banegas’ cozy living room, she welcomed certified nurse midwife Bayyinah Muhammed for her and baby Ife’s four-week checkup. Between laughs and coos, the pair talked throughout the checkup about how mom was feeling and what baby was experiencing.
“The ability to be in my own space is calming,” says Amanda. “Having the same midwives who’ve been with me throughout the entire nine months right here with me makes this transition easier.” Although she admits this is a different type of experience that she’s never heard of, Amanda notes that not having to get the baby ready to leave the house makes these home visits all the better. “It’s essential not to overextend myself during this time,” she says.
Amanda highlighted that home -based midwifery care offered not only convenience but also important emotional support during this introduction to new motherhood, stating “It’s vital to have their support, especially since it’s just Ife and me.” These are the same people she relied on during the preparation and birth of her new baby, so it makes her feel supported in having them in this next phase. Recalling a challenging moment during labor when her body seemed to stall at five centimeters, Amanda praised her midwife, Rebecca, for her patience and respect for her wishes. She reflected, “I doubt I would have received the same level of care in a clinical setting. Rebecca’s trust in my body allowed me to trust it too.”
Community of Hope provides home-based midwifery care as a personalized approach to maternal and newborn healthcare. Trained midwives offer support in the patient’s home postpartum, emphasizing a family-centered environment. It removes travel barriers, ensuring immediate postpartum support and a smooth transition into parenthood.
“Home visits from the midwives offer families an opportunity to receive individualized care while promoting rest and comfort,” says Bayyinah. “The dynamics change when you are welcomed into someone’s home. I’m grateful that families trust us in their intimate spaces.”
As Amanda and Bayyinah continued their check-up, they’re greeted by a few sleeping smiles from Ife.
“I would tell new mothers to go with a midwife especially if you have one that can do home visits and things like that, to go that route. I think being in your space is important for recovery,” says Amanda.
