Our Philosophy-
We deeply believe in a woman’s ability to birth naturally. The body is designed with reproduction in mind and there is little flaw in its design. Birth is an experience like none other and it has an ability to be one of the most powerful and transformational.
We believe that when women chose homebirth it is a very conscious choice and that they ought to be honored with the possibility. We wish to provide that possibility for women who desire a gentle homebirth. We provide the women in southern Maine and eastern New Hampshire with the choice of homebirth, and waterbirth whether they live in a tipi or yurt, apartment or house, rural or city-dweller.
We believe that gentle birth is a normal process that rarely needs the interference of modern technology. With education, good prenatal care and a healthy positive outlook, homebirth is a safe alternative to hospital birth. We encourage women to assume responsibility for their own health and make informed decisions. Not only does this empower a woman in birth but thru life itself.
Care we provide-
Midwives provide hands on care, allowing birth to take its course and help you birth naturally, safely and confidently. Home birth is a wonderful choice for healthy low risk women who want to experience birthing their baby in a place where they feel free, safe and private. Choosing midwifery care leads to less medical interventions such as inductions, c-sections, episiotomies, vacuum suction, and forceps. Our main goal is a safe birth for both you and your baby. We consult with or refer to other health care providers when appropriate. We look forward to a rich and rewarding experience sharing this time with you.
We visit you in your home or in Limington at Brenda's home. If you feel additional visits are needed you are welcome to come visit us as much as needed. Our visit will usually last about an hour. We will answer questions you may have between visits promptly by email or phone and are available for emergencies. We visit with you during the prenatal period every month until 28 weeks then every two weeks till 37 weeks then every week till you birth your baby.
We come to see your family one and/or three days after your birth and at 7 to 10 days postpartum. The Newborn Metabolic Screening is offered on day two or three postpartum. A birth certificate will be filed with your town hall.
We schedule visits between two and four weeks and again at six to eight weeks after your birth. We check in on your babe's growth, breastfeeding,and your healing. We also discuss nutrition and birth control and offer well-women care. We like to see clients as early as possible in their pregnancy so that we can get to know each other well and have plenty of time to discuss all the choices you and your partner make. We consult with or refer to other health care providers when appropriate. Continuity of care is as important to us as it is to your family and we are available to answer your calls 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
Statistics
Statistics on homebirth in the US and Canada are available on the MOM statistics web page. Click here
When choosing a midwife to attend your birth, you should read the Informed Choice carefully. Please interview all the available midwives and consider all the birth choices in your area to find the provider that will meet your needs and expectations. Click here for a list of suggested questions from CIMS or click here for our suggestions. References are available upon request.
Fees
In order to see if homebirth is the right choice for you, we offer a free consult in your home. We have a sliding scale fee which includes all prenatal care, labor and birth and postpartum visits. Some insurance companies will reimburse you for our fees. We accept NH medicaid. Maine Care does not cover our services at this time. Outside lab work, ultrasounds, newborn metabolic screenings, herbal and homeopathic remedies, vitamins, physician or nurse midwife consultations and birth supplies (which can be ordered thru www.everythingbirth.com for approx 50.00) are not included.
We believe every family should be able to have a homebirth if that is in their hearts. We will be creative with payment arrangements if discussed early in your pregnancy. For folks in need of more help we accept Maine Time dollars
http://hourexchangeportland.org/index.htm as payment. Please check out their website for more info. Visa and Mastercard are also acceptable.
If you would like to set up a free consult
please email or call
207 329 2111
Sacopee Valley Birthing Services
Providing the homebirth option to families in southern Maine and eastern New Hampshire for over 15 years
