My Approach to Care

There are a few different types of midwives in the United States. I am a licensed Certified Professional Midwife which means my training is in home birth and birth center birth. I am also trained in emergency skills such as neonatal resuscitation. Although I aim to keep intervention to a minimum, midwives use the tools of modern medicine whenever it is appropriate. From labs to ultrasounds, we rely on aspects of technology-based medicine to ensure the health and safety of mother and baby. We also strive to minimize technological intervention. Though we carry oxygen, medications, are trained in neonatal resuscitation, and have the ability to administer IVs, these tools are only used when necessary and we always ensure that the benefits of any intervention outweigh the risks. Midwifery education emphasizes shared decision making between the midwife and client, supporting the process of labor and birth by using minimal intervention and holistic and individualized care for clients.

Home birth is for any low risk pregnant person who wants one. I am used to working with clients with many different backgrounds, family structures, and values. If you’re uncertain if you’re low risk, please schedule a consultation and we can discuss your health concerns.

Home birth with a trained and experienced midwife is safe. Evidence shows that, especially for people who have already had a baby, home birth is as safe as hospital birth and has fewer interventions. Other benefits to home birth are continuity of care (you know who will be attending your birth), decreased rates of cesareans, and increased satisfaction with your birth experience.

I have found water to be an excellent tool to provide much needed relief during labor. About half of the clients I serve end up giving birth in the water. Whether or not you choose to give birth in the tub, a birth tub is made available to you at no additional charge.

You can birth anywhere that feels comfortable to you. I’ve attended births in apartments, houses, trailers, yurts, campers, etc. Midwives are adaptable!

Midwives don’t offer epidurals or standard pain relieving medications at births. The comfort measures used are movement, massage, hydrotherapy (birth tub), and even sterile water injections to treat back labor.

Absolutely! We use the tools of modern medicine whenever it is appropriate. From labs to ultrasounds to dopplers, we rely on aspects of technology-based medicine to ensure the health and safety of mother and baby. We also strive to minimize technological intervention. Though we carry oxygen, medications, are trained in neonatal resuscitation, and have the ability to administer IVs, these tools are only used when necessary and we always ensure that the benefits of any intervention outweigh the risks.

Sometimes clients need to transfer to the hospital during their labor or immediately following birth. A variety of reasons can lead to transfer including the need for induction or pain management to emergency support for the birthing person or baby. In any case, as your midwife, I will arrange the transport by calling ahead to the nearest and most appropriate hospital to let them know of your arrival. Then I will fax your records along so that the team receiving you at the hospital has time to review them before your arrival. The hospitals in Maine are familiar with home births and midwifery care, and offer collaborative and smooth transitions of care.

Transport would either occur by private car (non-emergent) or ambulance (emergent). If circumstances allow, I will transfer with you and stay as a support person through labor, birth, and a few hours postpartum. Routine postpartum care resumes in your home after discharge from the hospital.

In an effort to make things as simple and straightforward for you and your family, I have worked to make my fee for midwifery services as comprehensive as possible. In addition to the standard of care midwifery services outlined in the Process section of my Midwifery page, I incorporate Abdominal Massage treatments throughout the course of your pregnancy and postpartum. Typically this includes two to three prenatal massages to help you release tension, soothe sore muscles, and prepare for birth, and one to two postpartum massages to aid in your healing process.

Comprehensive Midwifery Fee: $5,800