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
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.
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.
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.
“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.”