Every midwife knows
that not until a mother’s womb
softens from the pain of labour
will a way unfold
and the infant find that opening to be born.
Oh friend!
There is treasure in your heart,
it is heavy with child.
Listen.
All the awakened ones,
like trusted midwives are saying,
'welcome this pain.'
It opens the dark passage of Grace.
Jalal al-Din Rumi
Because you feel confident in your ability to birth. Because you're healthy, not sick. Because birth is normal. Because you want to know exactly who will attend your birth. Because you feel safe at home. Because you want a female provider. 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 care. Because you want care that doesn't trigger past trauma and supports your healing. 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 midwives 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 are well informed 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. I expect to meet the requirements of midwifery certification through the National Association of Registered Midwives in 2018. Due to licensing restrictions, I am not able to serve as a primary midwife for residents of New Hampshire, though I recommend the midwives at The Concord Birth Center (Concord), and Paige St. Cyr (Seacoast), and can work with them as an assistant midwife or doula to support you.
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. I bring your prenatal and labor records, and will stay with you as labor support through your birth, providing postpartum care as normal.