BEGIN YOUR BIRTH JOURNEY With Aaushi
Midwifery Services
Aaushi is dedicated to serving the metropolitan Detroit area, primarily focused on supporting BIPOC and LGBTQ+ families through the transformative experience of childbirth. Her practice emphasizes midwifery homebirth care, where she creates a culturally affirming and supportive environment tailored to the unique needs of said families. By integrating traditional practices with contemporary evidence-based care, Aaushi offers a holistic approach that respects and honors the heritage of her clients. This model fosters trust and understanding, allowing birthing folks to feel empowered as they actively participate in their birthing experience. Furthermore, Aaushi’s work plays a crucial role in addressing systemic disparities in maternal health outcomes, ensuring that BIPOC families receive compassionate, respectful care throughout their journey. Her commitment not only enhances well-being for parents and children alike but also reaffirms the importance of culturally competent care in the field of midwifery.
Midwife Aaushi checking baby’s vitals immediate postpartum.
Newborn Exam performed by Midwife Aaushi.
Midwifery Care At A Glance
From the time you hire Aaushi, through your postpartum period - she is here for you and your family. At a glance here is what you will get with midwifery care.
In-home prenatal visits
Relaxed 1-hour visits to answer all of your questions
Text/Phone Support
Two midwives + birth assistant at your birth
Waterbirth pool available
Well-woman care, postpartum, if indicated
Referral for specialty services
What Does Midwifery Care Look Like With Midwife Aaushi
Informed Consent is at the heart of midwifery care. You have the right to fully understand your options—whether it's for testing, treatment, or decision-making—so you can make the best choices for you and your family. I work with you to provide the latest evidence-based information, balancing your preferences, individual circumstances, and the best available medical evidence.
Evidence-Based Practice is the cornerstone of my approach. I use the best scientific evidence to guide our decisions while always considering your unique needs, preferences, and values. I understand that every person’s journey is different, which is why my care is always individualized and responsive to your evolving needs.
Continuity of Care is what truly sets midwives apart. By establishing a relationship built on mutual trust early on, I can offer consistent, personalized care throughout your pregnancy. This connection fosters a deeper understanding of your needs, making it possible to anticipate and support you through labor and birth with confidence.
Midwifery Care Is All Encompassing
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Prenatal and Birth Care
Midwives provide complete care for low-risk individuals throughout pregnancy, labor, birth, and up to six weeks postpartum. I offer continuous prenatal care starting at 10 weeks, with visits scheduled monthly until 28 weeks, bi-weekly from 29–36 weeks, and weekly from 37 weeks to birth. Each prenatal visit includes;
- Health Assessment and Monitoring: Maternal and fetal vitals, growth tracking, fetal heartbeat, fundal height measurement, blood work, and urine analysis.
- Emotional and Physical Well-being: Addressing discomforts and complications, emotional health check-in’s, physical exams, pelvic exams (if requested).
- Education and Support: Nutrition and lifestyle guidance, childbirth education, family and social support, community resources.
- Screenings and Tests: Gestational diabetes, Group B strep, and genetic screenings are all offered (not required).Ultrasounds by referral. The anatomy scan (between 20-22-wks) is the only ultrasound that is indicated.
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Postpartum and Well Baby Care
Compassionate, comprehensive, and individualized care for both you and your baby during the crucial first weeks postpartum. The well-baby care services are designed to ensure your newborn's health and well-being, while also supporting you in your parenting journey.
What’s Included?
- Vitamin K Injection & Erythromycin Eye Ointment: At the newborn exam after birth, these newborn procedures, which are commonly provided in the hospital setting, are offered (not required) to your baby as part of routine care. Vitamin K helps prevent bleeding disorders, and Erythromycin eye ointment helps prevent potential infections from passing on to babies.
- State Mandated Newborn Screenings: We provide the required Metabolic Screen, CCHD (Critical Congenital Heart Defect) Screening, and Hearing Screen, as mandated by the state of Michigan to ensure your baby's overall health. These screenings are done at the 24-hour and 1-week postpartum visits.
- Postpartum & Well-Baby Visits: During your postpartum visits, your baby will receive a comprehensive check-up, which includes vital signs, measurements, weight checks, and developmental assessments. I will also address any questions or concerns you may have about feeding, sleep training/scheduling, and general newborn care.
“Thank you for EVERYTHING. From all your kindness in appointments, support on my BF journey, to keeping me clean during labor. LOL! Your support doesn’t go unnoticed. We are so glad to have had you be a part of our journey in welcoming Ophelia.” - Lauren K.
Fertility Treatment
Planning to conceive within the next year?
I offer in-depth visits to help increase your chances of successful conception and pregnancy through healthy lifestyle and fertility awareness. That includes routine blood work, nutritional guidance, supplemental advice, and fertility counseling. I am also proud to now offer midwife-assisted IUI services in the privacy of your home.
Waterbirth
There are many benefits to having a water birth. Pain relief, increased relaxation, support for movement, gentle birth for baby, reduced risk of lacerations/perineum trauma, and enhanced privacy and comfort. If requested, I bring the waterbirth suite to your home, with all the supplies/equipment needed to ensure a safe experience for you and your baby. This is offered at no extra cost. A birth pool is provided for each family, and there is no rental fee for tub usage. Water birth offers a peaceful and empowering alternative for families who want to create a nurturing and supportive birth experience. If you're considering water birth, I’m here to help guide you every step of the way, ensuring a safe, respectful, and positive birth journey.
Breast/Chestfeeding
As an experienced lactation support person, I understand that the early days of breastfeeding or chestfeeding can be a time of great joy, but also a challenge. Whether you’re nursing for the first time or have previous experience, I’m here to support you every step of the way, ensuring a positive and successful feeding relationship from the moment your baby is born. I support you by providing personalized education, anticipatory guidance, hands-on support, oral restriction evaluation, compassionate care, and my own personal breastfeeding experience. If I need to refer you to a provider for more specialized care, I have a team of providers that are IBCLC’s, pediatric dentists, chiropractors, and cranial sacral therapists that I work alongside for collaborative care. My goal is to ensure that you feel confident, supported, and empowered in your feeding journey, no matter what challenges arise. I’m here to help you build a strong feeding foundation, so you and your baby can thrive.
Becoming a new parent is both beautiful and overwhelming, and getting the rest you need can be a challenge. That's where my overnight infant care support service comes in. I provide a nurturing, hands-on experience that allows you to take a break and recharge, while I tend to your baby’s needs overnight. I specialize in paced-feeding, soothing/comforting, establishing feeding schedules, sleep training support, and light-organizing tasks for baby.
My goal is to offer you a peaceful and restful night, knowing that your baby is in good hands. With my overnight care, you can wake up feeling more refreshed, confident, and ready to take on the challenges of parenthood.
Overnight Infant Care
MEET YOUR MIDWIFE
Taccara’s extensive training and clinical experience have equipped her with a wide range of skills and expertise. She has attended nearly 200 births across Southeast Michigan and has completed certifications in multiple areas, including NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation), BLS/CPR (Adult and Infant), Birth Doula Training, Infant Care Specialist Training, Birth Assistant Training, Hypnobirthing Training, Breech Without Borders and Twins Master Training, Birth Emergency Skills Training (BEST), IUI for Midwives, Lactation Support, Phlebotomy, Newborn Metabolic Screening, and Newborn Hearing Screening.
Education & Licensure
Marygrove College
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology/Sociology, Magna Cum Laude, 2011
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
Science of Direct Entry Midwifery, High Honors, 2021-2024
North American Registry of Midwives
Certified Professional Midwife
State of Michigan
Licensed Midwife
Taccara Aaushi Dowdell