Midwifery Care
Midwifery care is personal. Unlike typical medical care, with impersonal quickie appointments, I want to know you and to understand what's important to you. I want you to understand all of your options, and to make the best choice for your family. You are not a machine: you are your body, your experiences, your emotions, your identity, your community, your beliefs, and so much more.
Why Home Birth?
Because you feel confident in your ability to birth. Because you're healthy, not sick. Because birth is normal. Because you want to know who will attend your birth. Because you feel safe at home. Because you don't want surgery. Because you want more than one or two people present at the birth, and your kids, too. Because maybe you've done it before and you know you can do it. Because you've done it before and know that you deserved better. Because you want trauma-informed care. Because you want to birth in water. Because your partner wants to catch the baby. Because your dog is a great doula.
Home birth midwifery follows the midwifery model of care, which emphasizes birth as a normal physiological event, and sees the midwife's role as supporting and maintaining that normalcy. Midwives work with people who take personal responsibility for their wellness, including eating nourishing foods, moving their bodies, and managing stress. Home birthing parents expect exceptional care, but they don't expect their provider to make all the choices. They want information about the options available to them and seek out care that minimizes technological interventions, recognizing the negative impact of routine intervention on childbirth in America.
Contact me to discuss whether home birth is right for you.
But what if...
In Massachusetts, nine out of ten intended home births take place at home. Of those who transfer for medical care, the majority do so for non-emergency reasons, particularly for a long labor that would be helped out with an epidural and some rest.
Birth has a wide range of normal. Midwives work with healthy people, healthy pregnancies, and healthy babies because they represent the lowest risk population for whom all the options--including out of hospital birth--should be available (as they are in the United Kingdom, for example). However, we are also trained to manage complications of birth. For example, I carry anti-hemorrhagic medications, equipment to help a baby transition to breathing air, and oxygen. There is an experienced assistant midwife present at the birth who is current in her neonatal resuscitation and CPR certification.
And, if things aren't in the range of normal, then I'll tell you and we'll go to the hospital together. I bring your prenatal and labor records, and will stay with you as labor support through your birth, providing postpartum care as with any of my families.
Further reading
Prenatal Care
- We see each other monthly until 28 weeks; bi-weekly appointments from 28-36 weeks; weekly appointments after 36 weeks, assessing your vitals, your baby's growth and heart rate, discussing your pregnancy and planning ahead for your birth and postpartum. Prenatals last from 60-90 minutes, which allows us plenty of time to get to know one another.
- Lab work: I offer all the routine lab work that would be provided by a hospital provider, as well as any other additional lab work you might want or need. I work with Mercy Diagnostics, which makes lab work affordable even for those without insurance. I refer you for ultrasound, if desired, at any location most convenient to you.
- Nutritional, herbal and lifestyle counseling for a healthy pregnancy and for common pregnancy and postpartum challenges.
Labor & Birth
- You're supported by myself and a second professional midwife in active labor until 3-5 hours postpartum.
- We monitor you and your baby in labor, and encourage rest, nourishment, and movement.
- I encourage breast/chestfeeding and will support you in getting a good latch.
Postpartum Care
- Home visits at 24 hours postpartum, additional visits in the first week postpartum, then at two weeks and six weeks postpartum, and as needed, assessing both parent and newborn wellness
- Newborn screening ("PKU test") and lab work as desired or needed.
- Breast/chestfeeding support
- Herbal treatments to warm and "close" your body, encouraging self-healing and honoring your transition to parenthood
- Wellness care as desired at your 6 week postpartum, including a Pap
Miscarriage Support
- I offer counseling on miscarriage options
- In-person support for miscarriage and postpartum care
- Lab work
- Lactation options and support
- Read more about miscarriage support
Annual Wellness & Other Services
- Herbal, nutritional and lifestyle counseling to support you and your wellness goals
- Pap smears
- Lab work: Vitamin D, thyroid hormone levels, other labs as indicated
- Sexual health and contraception counseling
- STD testing
- Pregnancy testing
Insurance
- As a licensed midwife, I am an out of network provider for New Hampshire based insurance companies and some Massachusetts based insurance companies, and typically, a portion of your care will be reimbursed by your insurance. I work with Cohosh Billing, a billing company that helps families determine what their insurance will cover, and helps them to receive maximum reimbursement.
“It’s impossible to thank you enough for the amazing support you provided during our pregnancy and birth. Our experience would not have been as extraordinary, transformative, or filled with as much love and security if you had not been a part of it. From the moment we met you, we felt an instant connection thanks to your warmth, caring, and wisdom. It was truly a privilege to learn from you each visit and to get to know you, and a special joy that you helped deliver our baby.”