FAQs

In the Netherlands and Sweden, homebirths and birth centers are actually quite the norm! The people who help you are trained midwives or nurses or physicians.

We operate a balanced practice - which means we offer all the testing you'd have in a hospital setting, but allow you to have your baby at home.

Obviously, an important question and one with a long, thorough answer. But here it is in brief. The general consensus is that midwives are experts in normal, uncomplicated pregnancy and birth. In order to be a good candidate for homebirth midwifery care, you must have an uncomplicated pregnancy and be in good overall health. Throughout pregnancy, we will be working together to keep you in optimum health and good balance. We will also be vigilantly screening for complications. If, in spite of our best efforts, complications do arise, and the balance required for safe homebirth cannot be restored, an individualized transfer of care plan is in place. If a transfer of care is done during pregnancy, we will be available to provide doula support through the remainder of the pregnancy and birth. If a transfer of care is done during labor, we will make the necessary arrangements and accompany our clients to the hospital. Once there, we will remain with our clients and function as in-hospital labor support the entire time.

We care for our clients with the same reverence as we would our own sisters, daughters, selves. A homebirth is not our goal. Our primary goal is a healthy mother and healthy baby. If it can happen at home (which it usually does), then that's wonderful. We come to births well-equipped to handle the very rare unforeseen emergency, we carry emergency medications and equipment, and we are trained and certified in Neonatal Resuscitation and CPR.

We represent a younger generation of midwives, and in doing so, strive to find a balance between traditional midwifery and contemporary maternity care. We hold on dearly to the traditional skills we have been taught so they are not lost, but we embrace and use the appropriate technology and testing available today. We consider ourselves a good fit for parents who are interested in homebirth, but want to utilize some of the tests and resources available in conventional care settings.

We bring a Doppler for listening to the fetal heartbeat during labor, medical equipment for monitoring maternal vital signs, herbs, homeopathics, and various other supplies and equipment. We also carry oxygen and resuscitation equipment, emergency medications to stop bleeding, IV supplies, and suturing equipment with local anesthetic.

We love waterbirth! Warm water in labor can make a tremendous difference for many women, and there is some evidence that water can make a smoother transition for baby. We offer waterbirth tub rental for an additional cost.

We do accept certain VBAC candidates, it depends on a variety of factors.

Drugs aren’t an option, and seldom does it even come up as a request. When you are in your familiar surroundings and feel safe and supported, you move through labor smoothly. Being well-informed and in the right mind set really works well. Birth tubs keep the temperature warm and soothe contractions naturally and we offer hands on labor support. We bring a birth stool and a birth ball. You are welcome to fill your space with the people you love, your music and any other comfy things.

Don't be. It's really not as loud as you might expect. We are conditioned to believe that birth is a loud, dramatic affair. The truth is birth is just another normal human biological process. Beautiful and amazing, yes. But also pretty quiet and kind of boring. Chances are pretty good your neighbors won't know you've had a baby until you make a formal, public announcement.

The mess is a universal question. Everybody wonders what to do about the mess. And it's just not an issue. Families are often surprised (and relieved) to find that the midwives have left their homes as tidy as it was before the birth (sometimes tidier!) You may not have even believed a baby was born there, except that you are holding the little one in your arms!

We adore having children present for the births! Moreover, we think it's of significant importance for the bonding of the family and welcoming of the newborn. It's important, though, to have an adult present just for your child. Ideally, that adult should be someone who can be completely present and responsive to your child. And, of course, it should be someone with whom your child is comfortable. There are wonderful books and materials for preparing children for the sights and sounds of labor and birth; we can help you find these. Rest assured that children generally do great with birth, especially when they've been adequately prepared.

We provide the necessary paperwork required by the state to obtain these documents. Massachusetts recognizes homebirth as a valid choice and you'll have no problem with this legal process.