North Dakota homebirth midwives and doulas « Back to Group Discussions

[zensven42]

OK, let's get a list of ND homebirth midwives and doulas going because it seems there is always call for it.

MIDWIVES:

Paulette Efimenko, DEM

2357 107th St NE
Dunseith, ND 58329

701-263-4126

Mostly West ND, but will travel.

Rebekah Knapp, DEM
Karlstad, MN
218-436-2381 home
218-689-4582 cell [e-mail]

Often travels to North Dakota

Beth Bergeron, CPM, LM      Blessed Event Midwifery

218.256.0412 or [e-mail]

Fargo-Moorhead, but will travel.

Becky Rosburg, CTM (may not be currently taking clients)
Detroit Lakes, MN

218-847-8319

DOULAS:

Erin McSparron, OT, Doula, LC
Grand Forks, ND
218-779-9984  [e-mail]

Heather Jackson, Birth Doula

(currently working on certification)
Grand Forks, ND 701-610-8322
[e-mail]
(willing to travel an hour outside of GF)

Rhonda Huot, Doula, LC
East Grand Forks, MN  
218-893-2215  [e-mail] 

Joyce Knapp, Doula
Karlstad, MN
218-436-2381

Christine Mehl, Doula and Ind childbirth educator
Fargo, ND
701-412-5088   [e-mail]

Sara Brentrup, certified doula

Minot, ND

www.caringformomdoula.com

[e-mail]

I'm on a personal leave until after my baby is born, but will resume taking clients. Currently available for help for phone/email support and writing birth plans, etc.

Doulas of the Red River Valley Fargo/Moorhead
www.orgsites.com/nd/doulas  (not all certified)

WILLISTON DOULAS:.

Crysta Parkinson

701-570-7021

[e-mail]

Karli Keck

701-770-8492

[e-mail]

Kimberly Spitzer.

www.cyberdoulas.com

Also on FB - Cyberdoulas

Edited by zensven42 - 11/13/12 at 11:12am

[jinbear]

Thanks a million!  I've been up here over a week and everyone I ask gives me a blank look and points towards Williston.  I doubt I could even make it there on time.  

[mamaprek]

I'm a doula in Minot...

Sara Brentrup, certified doula

Minot, ND

www.caringformomdoula.com

[e-mail]

I'm on a personal leave until after my baby is born, but will resume taking clients. Currently avaliable for help for phone/email support and writing birth plans, etc.

[zensven42]

Originally Posted by mamaprek 

I'm a doula in Minot...

Sara Brentrup, certified doula

Minot, ND

www.caringformomdoula.com

[e-mail]

I'm on a personal leave until after my baby is born, but will resume taking clients. Currently avaliable for help for phone/email support and writing birth plans, etc.

Added you- let me know when you are attending deliveries again and I will update it thanks! :D
 

[jljeppson]

Becky Rosburg isn't taking births and might not again, last I talked to her (it's been a few mths, but it's worth checking into).  I've been meaning to get a provider map out, showing which midwives cover what section of the state for quite awhile now but haven't managed it yet.  Hopefully once we move into our new place next week, I'll have time to do it.

Jennifer 

[BriasMommy]

We are doulas in Williston...

Crysta Parkinson

701-570-7021

[e-mail]

and

Karli Keck

701-770-8492

[e-mail]

www.cyberdoulas.com

Also on FB - Cyberdoulas

[MommaN]

I recently met Paulette Efimenko and, from first impressions, loved her!  I would love to chat with other mommies throughout the state who may have had her attending their home birth.  How was she to work with?  Did you feel as though she was completely knowledgable and capable?

Also, I would like to know if anyone has information about what types of certifications or continuing education midwives in ND must perform.  Is there a governing board for oversight?  Are their annual reporting requirements?  I can't seem to find anything on the topic except some bill that was voted down last year regarding the establishment of some kind of midwife regulations.  Regulations or no...I am not bothered by this...just curious about whether ND monitors home birth midwives at all. 

[JeanneCNM]

Jeanne Prentice, CNM

www.WomanKindMidwifery.com

605-559-0320

I have a home birth practice but also serve women from Western, ND if they are interested in coming to South Dakota to birth.  I have a clinic in Spearfish and have women from the Williston area who opt to come here to deliver in an out of hospital setting.

[jinbear]

I just had my second son on Wed.  He is a healthy 8.2 lbs!  I am out past Mandaree and ended up having a unassisted homebirth.  I saw a midwife at Trinity in Minot to make sure everything was cool along the way.  I prepared for a homebirth knowing that I would not have time to make it to the hospital.  As it turns out I did deliver at home and it was the result of driving 105 miles to Minot to do a checkup on Wed.  The roads around here are bumpy to say the least!  I delivered within an hour and a half of stepping into our cozy RV.  We tried to contact our midwife and just got a recording to call 911 in case of emergency which was not our case.  Knowing she had Thursday off we waited until Friday to try and contact her.  My boyfriend was unable to contact her and left a message with her staff.  I was planning on going in on Monday to our previously set appt with her to have the baby checked as well as myself.  However, I received a very stressed message from her Friday afternoon with absolutely no congratulations, informing me that I must immediately get myself and my baby to a hospital to be checked out, have the placenta checked yada yada.  Like I was not intelligent enough to look into all of that previous to the birth.  As well she didn't leave a phone number to contact her or offer any personal assistance.  Exactly why did we make that drive so many times and pay high prices out of pocket?  Aaargh!  I was honest from the beginning that I was preparing for a homebirth, since I know my freaking body and family history.  I am soooooo glad that I had my baby at home, delivered into the hands of his loving father, assisted by my 23 month old son, mother and two dogs.  You never know where life is going to take you but I am glad that life has brought me to North Dakota and to one of the most enlightening experiences of my life.  

The next step I need help with however.  I assumed that part of seeing a midwife was having their assistance through whatever might happen.  I guess I was wrong and I'm pretty ticked off about the whole situation.  The last place you will find me or my son is at Trinity hospital in Minot surrounded by allegations of irresponsibility.  So now I need to know what the state requirements are for getting a birth certificate for my son even though we are not residents at this time.  I plan on calling the Bureau of Vital Statistics on Monday but would appreciate any and all advice.  

As well I do agree that my son and myself should be checked out by a medical professional.  Especially with the vibe I got from that horrible message, I wouldn't put it past them to call child services or some crap like that. I tore about half an inch which could need stitches, it is not very painful at this point and I have kept very clean since delivery.  I don't want to be driving all over the state right now, I just want a family doctor that can provide both of us with care and perhaps assist with the birth cert process.  I would love any recommendations in the following towns; Watford City, Killdeer, or Dickinson.  

Thanks for any and all help ladies.  Feel better now that I ranted a bit.

[Jessica Burke]

Hi Ladies,

Wondering if anyone could point me in the direction of finding a midwife that works with women in the Dickinson area? Just found out I am pregnant and I had a less than pleasant experience in the hospital here so I am hoping to make this birth as pleasant as it should be!

Thank you in advance.

[jinbear]

I saw an OB doc named Dr. Wolf after my homebirth.  He was way mellow and cool.  He has delivered over 5500 babies.  He said he doesn't do delivery any more but does Prenatal care.  He might know of someone as well.  He works at the Great Plains Clinic.  If you are healthy I would encourage you to check out unassisted homebirth as well.  I am so happy that we chose to have our child outside of the hospital, it was a wonderful experience.

[jljeppson]

Jessica, did you find a midwife?

[Heath23]

Hello all 

We are TTC our first child I have always wanted a natural birth but was not sure if hospital or home was the way to go but after watching a friend go threw a hospital birth in Dickinson I would have to say I was not very impressed and am more pro home birth then ever. So I am very much so looking into home birth and wondering if there are any midwifes in the South West ND area, or any in the State that would serve the Beach,Golva, or Sentinal Butte area. Any info would be great :) Thanks

[PatchTrail]

message me if you want the contact info for Dickinson Midwife. 

Edited by PatchTrail - 5/30/12 at 7:38pm

[HillyBee]

I had an awful experience at Trinity in Minot. It was seriously horrible, and I ended up with a c/s. Then we moved to Dickinson and I went to Bismarck to have my son because I really wanted a vbac (and I got one!!). I am now pregnant with my third and seeing Dr Witt in Bismarck again but I would love to see a midwife if I could, and I would totally be on board for a homebirth but I don't think my husband would. It's kind of sad that we have to travel so far to get decent care. I'm encouraged to see that there might actually be some options around here!

Heath23- I grew up in Wibaux, are you from the Beach/Golva/Sentinel Butte area originally?

[Heath23]

Thanks for the info I will look into it. :)

HillyBee- No, My husband and I moved here 2 yrs ago when he got a job working for a feedlot here in Golva area.

[Jessica Burke]

Sadly I have not found a midwife or doula. PatchTrail I am unable to send you a private msg however I would greatly appreciate any info please msg or email me @ davidnjessicaburkegmail.com. Thank you!!

[3sweetbabes]

Working on my posts so thought I would chime in and say that we loved Paulette!! She was amazing and reassuring and when we had a few bumps in the road she was on the search for answers! Even though she didn't make it until after the birth (we blame the impending flood for that) she was amazing! I would encourage anyone interested in a homebirth to seek her out :0

[PatchTrail]

I can't send messages anymore either. But you can message me at (take spaces out) Patch the painted pony @ g mail dot com.

[Pkaaahboo]

Thank you for posting that list.  If any of you have delivered at Trinity Hospital and have taken a Doula what was your experience?  My first son was delivered in California as a Cesarean, unnecessarily, I just wasn't educated like I should have been, and my second was a VBAC over here in Germany and a great birth experience.  I want another one of those!  Any help is very much appreciated!
 

Edited by Pkaaahboo - 11/3/12 at 12:31pm