THE HOME BIRTH OPTION: An alternative to hospitals
Getting informed is a great place to start.
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Due to current public health concerns regarding the spread of COVID-19, I am accepting late-to-care clients on a case-by-case basis. Please review the information below before moving forward with a consultation.
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This letter was written in response to the overwhelming increase in calls for home birth care in New York by the NY Midwives. The sentiment rings true for home birth midwives across the country as we struggle to be available for women who are scared and feel incredibly helpless during the international pandemic. At our core, midwives are altruistic in nature and so often over-extend ourselves to the detriment of our own bodies, minds and our family. This past week I have received more than 3 dozen calls and emails. This rate of increase in Homebirth interest is more than I see in a single year. I have worked late into the night answering each and every inquiry in hopes that I may offer some calm in the center of this storm.
I am in contact with the Co-Midwifery Director at South Shore Hospital. She has assured me that they are doing everything they can to keep families together and are also allowing doulas to support women. She has offered to personally speak to any woman due to give birth at South Shore Hospital to help reduce fear and have an honest conversation about hospital birth during a pandemic . This is an incredible action, given that many of the Boston area hospital have banned doulas and cannot ensure women that their partner will be allowed into the hospital during delivery. Our system is being challenged and the fear women feel is real. But I encourage anyone seeking to switch to Home birth to follow the link below and take a moment to read the letter. If you would still like to discuss your options and see if a home birth is the right choice, please contact me.
Home birth is not a choice to come from fear. It is a choice that comes from empowerment, trust in yourself, trust in your midwife and a deep belief in the Midwifery Model of Care.
An Open Letter to the Birth Community Regarding COVID-19 and the Increased Interest in Homebirth
I am in contact with the Co-Midwifery Director at South Shore Hospital. She has assured me that they are doing everything they can to keep families together and are also allowing doulas to support women. She has offered to personally speak to any woman due to give birth at South Shore Hospital to help reduce fear and have an honest conversation about hospital birth during a pandemic . This is an incredible action, given that many of the Boston area hospital have banned doulas and cannot ensure women that their partner will be allowed into the hospital during delivery. Our system is being challenged and the fear women feel is real. But I encourage anyone seeking to switch to Home birth to follow the link below and take a moment to read the letter. If you would still like to discuss your options and see if a home birth is the right choice, please contact me.
Home birth is not a choice to come from fear. It is a choice that comes from empowerment, trust in yourself, trust in your midwife and a deep belief in the Midwifery Model of Care.
An Open Letter to the Birth Community Regarding COVID-19 and the Increased Interest in Homebirth
Get informed for you, your baby and your family. Where you give birth and who you choose for maternity care are parenting decisions.
Current Client Communications
With several current clients in various stages of pregnancy and post-partum care, I maintain frequent and open communication with each individually. But in unprecedented times like this, I feel it is important to share collectively the precautions that I will take and that they should take to care for themselves and their families. Please read this letter that I shared with my clients on March 13.
In Consideration of Home Birth
If you're reading this page, then you may have considered a home birth before, or suddenly find yourself looking for alternatives to hospital births. Here, I share a few resources to aid your consideration...
Let's Talk
Reading is one thing, but talking will help you get a much better sense of whether home birth is right for you in this time of great uncertainty, concern and confusion. Please email me or call 781.812.9445 to arrange a consultation.
Current Client Communications
With several current clients in various stages of pregnancy and post-partum care, I maintain frequent and open communication with each individually. But in unprecedented times like this, I feel it is important to share collectively the precautions that I will take and that they should take to care for themselves and their families. Please read this letter that I shared with my clients on March 13.
In Consideration of Home Birth
If you're reading this page, then you may have considered a home birth before, or suddenly find yourself looking for alternatives to hospital births. Here, I share a few resources to aid your consideration...
- 47 questions that I recommend every expecting mother should ask a prospective midwife.
- You can also hear me discuss these questions in a Pathways to Family Wellness podcast that I recorded with Dr. Brendan Riordan of Seaside Chiropractic in Norwell.
- "Outcomes of Care for 16,924 Planned Home Births in the United States: The Midwives Alliance of North America Statistics Project, 2004 to 2009" from the Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health
- "I’m an Obstetrician. Giving Birth at Home Isn’t Irresponsible" in the New York Times.
- "Safe, Healthy Birth: What Every Pregnant Woman Needs to Know" in the Journal of Perinatal Education
- "There’s No Place Like Home: Why Having a Home Birth is a Good Option" at jennifermargulis.net
- "Severe maternal complications less common during home births, study suggests" from the British Medical Journal
- "Birth is no reason to go to hospital, review suggests" from the University of Copenhagen
Let's Talk
Reading is one thing, but talking will help you get a much better sense of whether home birth is right for you in this time of great uncertainty, concern and confusion. Please email me or call 781.812.9445 to arrange a consultation.