Midwifery Services

Asher, Born at Home, Springfield, MA

Midwives have ushered in new life for millenia.

Snoah Eve born at home in Springfield, MA with amazing mom, Laconia.

We know that every individual is different. We honor this and work in sync with you. We know that you will navigate pregnancy, birth, and postpartum guided by your unique physical, emotional, psychological and social wisdom.  Following your lead is not only the most joyful way to approach this process, it is also often the safest and most productive methodology for maternity care. 

We work to set you up for success.  In prenatal care, we discuss culturally appropriate healthy life practices in nutrition, physical movement, emotional self-care, and access to community resources.  We explore tools to find your inner source of strength and calm for labor and birth. We guide you to establish postpartum support systems that propel you into parenthood with health, energy, and joy. 

Full Prenatal Care

All appointments are catered to your needs. The midwife sees you every month up until 28 weeks, every other week from 28-36 weeks of pregnancy, and once per week after the 36th week. We spend clinical time with measurements, listening to baby’s heart rate, assessing baby’s position, and checking your health status, including your vitals and lab results. We discuss solutions to whatever challenges - physical, emotional, situational - you are facing. We also set you up with collaborative hospital-based care for the obstetric tests or procedures that are needed. We are on-call for you during pregnancy, to make sure that you have the resources and support you need to face the experience with information and joy.

Jaritza, 41 weeks pregnant, days before her homebirth

Labor and Birth Support

Your midwives are on-call day and night for when your body spontaneously goes into labor. We provide full support, first on the phone, then in person to help empower you as you do the work of natural labor. We massage, give hip squeezes, help you get in and out of the tub, and keep you hydrated and nourished. We monitor you and you baby during active labor and are trained to respond to whatever emerges. After your baby is born, we continue to observe and care for you and the baby and give your baby a full newborn exam. We ensure that everyone is stable and well before we leave.

Sheila, working through labor positions, Springfield, MA

Postpartum Visits and Support

Personalized postpartum care is one of the hallmark features of homebirth midwifery. Every family needs something a little different and we are there to provide that. Siblings and family members are always welcome for the check-ins. You don’t need to leave the comfort of your own home. In-home postpartum visits are at 24 hours, 3 days, and 7 days after the birth. Additional appointments at 3 weeks and 6 weeks usually happen in our office. The visits include newborn and well-woman care, breastfeeding support, emotional assessment, and immediate response to any signs of postpartum depression.

Little baby Ryan, born at home, Springfield, MA

Waterbirth

Getting in the tub during active labor can relax bodily muscles in order to manage the intensity of contractions. To be clear: water doesn’t take away the strong sensation of labor but can take away the edge. Sometimes clients prefer to be on a bed, or on a birthing stool, or on hands and knees. Truthfully, you don’t know what you want until you are in labor! And that’s the great thing about homebirth and natural birth generally: it gives you the freedom to move around and try different positions. If you feel drawn to water therapy, we have birth tubs available.

Danielle, waterbirth, Springfield, MA

Natural Childbirth Education Classes

Whether or not you want a homebirth, classes to prepare for natural birth in any setting are critical to obtain the knowledge and tools to navigate this amazing and intense experience. Classes also give clients the opportunity to connect with others who are approaching their birth in a similar way. Partners, a beloved family member or any support person are encouraged to come to learn too. Contact us for upcoming classes!