Susquehanna Acupuncture & Healing Arts Center is committed to offering care options through pregnancy, childbirth, and the post-partum period. SAHAC is pleased to offer Professional Birth Assistance by Fern Gilkerson.

Research has shown that professional birth assistance results in:
      60% decrease in use of epidurals
      50% decrease in cesarean sections
      30% decrease in use of pain medications (narcotics)
      25% decrease in length of labor
      30% decrease in use of forceps
      40% decrease in use of Pitocin

And increases chances of:
      Breastfeeding success
      Lasting feelings of childbirth experience satisfaction
      Deeper parent to child bonding
      Deeper parent to parent bonding

Fern specializes in providing continuous care through labor and delivery, with particular emphasis on natural birth wishes. Before labor begins, Fern will spend time with the expectant person/ couple to discuss birth plan formulation, pertinent birth and health history, and informed decision making that will affect childbirth and those important moments just after the baby is born. During the labor period, her services include emotional support, physical comfort measures, and childbirth advocacy.

Fern explains her approach to childbirth assistance;

 “I get to know the expectant individual or family in a way which allows me to personalize support. I will work in a hospital, home, or birth center, in the presence of an obstetrician or midwife. I also have a master’s degree in Women's Studies and I am comfortable working with a diverse range of people. While my birth assistance training is through the Association of Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators (ALACE), I am also studying to be an ALACE certified childbirth educator, and will soon be a student of midwifery.”

Upon request references are available. Fern is also able to conversationally speak Brazilian Portuguese.

The cost for Fern’s service is $700, with a $350 down payment upon hiring, after an initial consultation at no charge. The total fee covers the above described services within two pre-natal meetings, unlimited phone contact during the pregnancy, labor support, and post-partum visitation.

*Please note that the presence of a professional birth assistant does not guarantee that the client will experience the same results described in the research findings.