Michelle Gallagher, LM, CPM
Florida Licensed Midwife
Pregnancy love for a positive birthing experience
My Services
Prenatal Care
Mama Centered
Get extra personal support throughout the entirety of your pregnancy journey. As an active participant in your health care, you will be offered education and resources to make informed decisions that are right for you and your baby. Clients are seen in the comfort of their home for prenatal visits (including routine labs) on a flexible schedule that accommodates most families.
Home Birth
Safe Care
It is my goal to help you welcome your baby YOUR way. My job as guardian and safe-keeper of you, your baby and your birth space is my number one priority. Both mom and baby are monitored closely throughout labor, yet with as little interruption as possible. I routinely practice intermittent monitoring,
self-directed pushing, delayed cord clamping and immediate skin to skin after both land and water births.
Personalized care, for you and your growing family
Postpartum Support
When one becomes two
Fourth trimester care is just as important as every other component that culminated to this point. Visits continue for 6 weeks after your baby arrives and are scheduled for 24-48 hrs after birth,
1 weeks, 3-4 weeks and 6 weeks.
Additional support is always available.
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Photo by: Jess Veguez Photography
About Me
Birth has captivated me since I was a teenager. I became a birth worker in 2000, first working as a certified doula and childbirth educator and then not long thereafter, as a birth assistant at Labor of Love birth center in Dunedin After a bit of a hiatus to raise my own child, I am now thrilled to be back to answering my calling after completing Midwifery Training at Commonsense Childbirth School of Midwifery and becoming a Florida Licensed Midwife in 2018. A majority of my apprenticeship took place at Labor of Love Birth Centers, beginning at the Dunedin center and completing in the Lutz location. After graduation, I continued to work in Lutz as a Licensed Midwife until January 1, 2020 before venturing out on my own to have a homebirth practice.
My love for supporting women throughout the childbearing year runs deep. During my career as a birth worker, I have supported hundreds of women during this sacred time. My belief is that birth as a normal process and that each mother (and family) deserves to be treated as strong and capable as they experience the monumental transformation of bringing forth new life. Giving birth with little to no intervention is a rite of passage that leaves women with a great feeling of empowerment, a sense of accomplishment and unprecedented joy. Educating and helping empower women as they come into motherhood is truly a passion.
As a Licensed Midwife in the greater Tampa Bay area, I offer personalized prenatal, birthing, and postpartum support. My goal is to give you and your family the attention and knowledge you need to make informed decisions about your pregnancy and birth process.
FAQs
What are your fees and what is included?
The investment for services is $8,000. This fee for comprehensive midwifery care includes: All prenatal visits in your own home (typically 10-13 visits, lasting approx 1 hour each), routine lab work (also collected in the comfort of your own home), one ultrasound, complete labor, delivery and postpartum care, water birth tub use (Birth Pool in a Box Eco-Mini), and all medical supplies needed.
Additional Fees that are commonly encountered (will be billed or purchased separately): any additional lab work or ultrasounds, Rhogam, purchase of tub liner, Vitamins/Herbal supplements, childbirth classes, Physician consultation and birth kit/supplies needed for home birth.
What is included in a prenatal visit?
Do you accept my insurance?
At this time, I am not contracted with any insurance companies or Medicaid and therefore only accept self pay clients. Documentation can be provided for those who wish to submit paperwork to their insurance providers in an attempt for reimbursement. There are several payment options and plans available, but the total must be paid by 36 weeks. Some discounts may be available if transferring care from another provider.
How do you deal with complications at birth?
Prenatal visits are scheduled every 4 weeks beginning at 11-12 weeks gestation, every 2 weeks starting at 28 weeks, then weekly until baby arrives after 36 weeks. Each visit we will discuss many things that can impact a pregnancy, like nutrition, hydration, activity, stress, & LIFE in general. Your blood pressure, pulse, urine analysis, fundal height to monitor/measure appropriate growth, baby's position and heartbeat will all be assessed during every appointment.
Is having a homebirth messy?
It's really not! As your due date approaches, we talk about how to prepare your bed and protect any flooring under the birth tub or in the planned birthing space. Disposable pads are used to contain the birth fluids and we typically start a load of laundry with towels and bedding used before leaving, We do our best to leave the space in the condition that it looked like we arrived for the birth.
How many clients do you accept?
In order to provide the utmost quality of care, I only take 1-2 clients surrounding any due date. This allows for full commitment on my end and the best assurance that a back up midwife will not need to be utilized.
What areas do you serve?
I am proud to be supporting low-risk birthing people and their families in Northern Pinellas County and surrounding areas. The practice is based out of Dunedin/Palm Harbor and serves areas that are within a 45 minute radius.
This all sounds great! How/Where do I start?
Interviewing midwives is key to making sure it's a good fit for all parties involved. I prefer to schedule a phone or zoom type call for our initial chat to see if our personalities mesh well and to answer any questions you may have at that time. Scroll down to tell me a little about yourself and to submit an online request.
Unforeseen complications can arise even in the most low-risk patients. As a Florida Licensed Midwife, I have been trained to monitor closely for signs that a complication may arise and have the knowledge, education and skills to resolve many situations and am prepared to act quickly in the event that action is needed. I bring equipment to each birth that is essential to both mom and baby in emergency situations (for example, infant resuscitation mask/oxygen, anti-hemorrhagic medications and more). An individualized emergency care plan is made for each expecting family. This prepares us properly in event that hospital transfer is necessary. It is also always my intention to have another midwife or assistant join when the birth is imminent. She acts as another set of skilled hands to help in whatever is needed.
Testimonials
Michelle is an incredible, empathic and natural midwife. She attended the birth of my daughter and my son and helped me have the most beautiful, primal and empowering birth with my children. She is a wealth of knowledge about all things Mumma and baby and no matter what we had to deal with she always approached with a calm and reassuring demeanor. Thank you for assisting me and my babies with such grace and gentleness in such a transitional time ❤️ - Elise K
Michelle delivered my son in 2019. I couldn't rave enough about how amazing and caring she was during the whole process. When I was freaking out, she was calming me. When I needed anything, she was there to bring it to me. My delivery was sooo quick and we had a very small chance to prepare, her reaction time was phenomenal and she stayed calm and relaxed the entire time. She truly cares about her Mama's and their babies. IF I decide to have another, she will be my go to midwife. 5 stars!!!! - Kourtney N
Michelle was our midwife for my second daughter’s home birth. Every appointment with her was wonderful. She cared about all of my concerns and eased my mind often. She was available for any concerns or questions I had between appointments. Michelle did a great job accommodating my oldest (4 year old’s) want to help and be a part of our appointments. It was the perfect family birthing experience. When it was time to give birth Michelle was a support and encouragement. I felt in control and empowered. After baby was born she was encouraging to me when I was feeling postpartum emotions. Michelle was also the birth assistant at my first daughter’s birth, which was a much longer experience. Her words of encouragement during and after empowered me to bring my firstborn into the world. I left both labors feeling like a bada** mama. If we ever have anymore children I’ll be sure to have Michelle be my midwife again and my support. We are done for now though. - Rebekah L
We were blessed to meet Michelle when Rebekah was pregnant with Finley. She was there to assist in that labor and as crazy as it was she did an incredible job. Once we found out we were having Lorelai we found out that she was now a Midwife! So we met with her and even knowing how crazy Finley’s labor was, she accepted us as clients. From that moment she walked alongside us and we never had a doubt as to how amazing she is. Every appointment was like hanging out with someone we have known our entire lives. Finley loves to help and Michelle was so accommodating to that. Lorelai’s entrance into the world was much smoother than Finley’s but we truly enjoyed the confidence Michelle had throughout the process. Especially when she told me to get ready and like clockwork Lorelai began her quick entrance into the world. We were very sad to end our regular appointments but very happy to have added Michelle to our family. We believe we are done having children, although it would almost be worth having another just to utilize Michelle’s services once more. She is amazing and you will not regret making a call to her during this special time in your life. We love you Michelle! - John L
Michelle is one of the most caring, loving and knowledgeable midwives I’ve ever met. She took such good care of me and my baby during my pregnancy! She calmed my fears, answered my questions, and held my hand when needed. She was always available when I needed her. I would absolutely recommend her to anyone in search of a midwife. She is truly amazing! - Ashley C
From first meeting Michelle I knew I wanted her fully involved with the birth of my daughter. Michelle is gentle, kind and patient. The second she caught wind that my girl would be arriving Christmas morning she didn’t even hesitate to come in and assist in her birth (she wasn’t the midwife on call, but came because she cares that much)! While laboring, Michelle kept me calm while continually encouraging me to not give up. I truly credit her for the ease I felt throughout the process. If you are looking for a midwife that truly cares about you and your child’s well being Michelle is your girl. Not only did she offer exceptional care but I gained a life long friend ❤️ - Brittani P
Michelle is insightful, caring and always with a smile. - Jane H
I have worked alongside Michelle for many labors and births. Her respect for the birth space is unparalleled. Every word she speaks and action she takes is with the utmost diligence and compassion. Michelle’s care and attention is truly revolved around the birthing woman’s needs and desires. - Melissa B
I've worked with Michelle and can testify she is an amazing midwife and a wonderful woman....I would highly recommend her to any pregnant mama!!!😍😍😍😍 - Monica S
Contact
Ready to schedule a phone consultation? Have additional questions? Drop me a line here and I will do my best to reply within 24 hours.
For a more timely response, please feel free to call or text me at 727-228-2879
Thanks for your inquiry!
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Mama Centered Midwife
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