In the Market for a New Midwife...Again! (Howard County/Baltimore area)

[Crackaleen]

Hi everyone, I'm new to the boards.  I'm 25, married, no children (hopefully someday though).  I've always prefered midwifery care when it comes to my general gyn needs, but I seem to have terrible luck keeping one.  I first started seeing a midwife in Takoma Park several years ago.  I loved her, but she had to close her practive shortly after I started going to her.  Then I moved to Ellicott City and found Evelyn after searching around online.  I'm overdue for a pap and when I call to setup an appointment today I was told her practice is currently closed and to call back in January.  I've had some issues with the practice so I got curious and started searching around and found some of the threads on here. 

So now I'm in search of a new midwife in the Howard County/Baltimore area.  I would prefer one that attends homebirths, since if we do have children one day that is probably the route I want to go.  It seems homebirth midwives are hard to come by in this state though, so suggestions of midwives that have/attend birthing centers are welcome also.  Hospital-based midwives are my last resort, but if you know of one you love I'll certainly take that into consideration.  Thank you in advance for any suggestions. 

[tiacait]

I'm not sure if you've browsed through this list already, but in just in case you haven't... http://www.birthoptionsalliance.org/MidwifeList.pdf

Best of luck!

[Crackaleen]

Thanks for the reply.  I did see that list posted in another thread.  Unfortunately, there only seems to be two home birth midwives in my area, one of which is Evelyn, and the other I've read some things about that make me nervous.  There aren't any birthing center midwives listed at all, but several hospital based ones.  I was hoping others might know of midwives in the area that aren't listed on there for whatever reason.  Oh well, thanks again!

[Healthy_Baby]

Outside of that list - the only other option I know of would be http://www.withwomanbirth.com/  I have NO personal experience with her - and I'm not so sure she does routine well-woman care. I know she was a CNM in California and is now in our area.   My births have been attended by Evelyn and I'm now receiving care from Susan dodge.

Home birth midwives are being sent through the wringer in this state and others - they need our support!  checkout Maryland Friends of Midwives https://www.facebook.com/pages/Maryland-Friends-of-Midwives/299752114399  from there you will find several other pages in support for home birth midwives in Maryland. Showing your support now will help give you the options you want when the time comes for you own Home birth!  

hope you find the care you're looking for - and WELCOME to the boards!

[KatyLinda]

The CNMs in the area are Evelyn, Susan Dodge, Joey P, and the two at MAMAs in Takoma Park.  Birth Care also does some deliveries in Maryland, they're located in Alexandria.

There are a few CPMs as well, if you want to PM me I'll send you their info.  

The two birth centers in the area are Bay Area Midwifery & Special Beginnings.  Both in Anne Arundel County and feed into AAMC if you require a hospital.  

I'm currently seeing the midwives at Upper Chesapeake Medical Center (Susquehanna OB/GYN & midwifery or something like that) since I had to switch from Evelyn.  From my 1st appointment I like them, but I'm still keeping my guard up.  

[jessicaink]

Another homebirth midwifery practice is Riverside Midwifery, but they may be too far for you to do office visits, as their office is in Charles Town, W.Va. (www.riversidemidwifery.com)

For non-homebirth midwives, Esposito, Mayer, Hogan and associates has been recommended to me, and they have offices in Howard Co and Eldersburg. 

Hope that helps.

[kemekami]

I just joined today in search of this same topic (except we are currently expecting #3).  Thanks for all the great info!  Can someone send me some info about CPM's in maryland.

[Crackaleen]

Thanks for the replies everyone!
 

Originally Posted by Healthy_Baby 

Outside of that list - the only other option I know of would be http://www.withwomanbirth.com/  I have NO personal experience with her - and I'm not so sure she does routine well-woman care. I know she was a CNM in California and is now in our area.   My births have been attended by Evelyn and I'm now receiving care from Susan dodge.

Home birth midwives are being sent through the wringer in this state and others - they need our support!  checkout Maryland Friends of Midwives https://www.facebook.com/pages/Maryland-Friends-of-Midwives/299752114399  from there you will find several other pages in support for home birth midwives in Maryland. Showing your support now will help give you the options you want when the time comes for you own Home birth!  

hope you find the care you're looking for - and WELCOME to the boards!

May I ask how you like Susan?  It says on that site that she prefers patients to be within 30 minutes of Crofton and I'm farther away than that, but I figure it may not hurt to contact her.

[Healthy_Baby]

I've only had two meetings with her so far - but feel great comfort in choosing her care.  She is a small, solo, home-based practice only takes a few clients due each month.  I don't know if she does routine well-woman care.  I'm also fairly certain she does not take first-time birthers - but don't quote me on that.  I would still contact her about well-woman care and perhaps building a relationship could help with more options in the future. :)

[sarahb918]

If you haven't already found another one, look up Joey Pascarella at Sacred Journey Midwifery. I just attended a friend's birth and Joey was her midwife. She was very hands off during the labor, but quick to be hands on when she needed to be (my friend gave birth to twins at home and the second needed resuscitation and oxygen). Everything turned out beautifully and nobody needed to be transferred. I am considering using her for my next birth whenever that is. I also REALLY like that she does all prenatal appointments in the client's home. I would have loved that option last time as traveling all the way to Alexandria from Quantico with my toddler while I was hugely pregnant was not so fun.

[KatyLinda]

You may want to search for Joey on this forum before you make a decision if that's something you end up leaning toward.  

[Jenga]

I used Joey for a short while. Please PM me if you want to hear my story.  She lied to me about something very important. I ended up having to use someone else, because she dropped me at 37 weeks, but I know I was better off for it because a dishonesty in the midwife-patient relationship is not a good situation.