Home Birth Midwife recs for Baltimore-Parkville area?

[cat2elp]

Hey all!  I'm a first time Mom who just found out that we are pregnant (yay!).  My husband and I are in healthcare and are 100% certain based on our own professional experience in hospitals that we want to have a home birth attended by a certified nurse midwife.  

Big problem though--we're having a very difficult time finding anyone!!  It appears that most of the folks who attend home births are in the DC suburban area.  

Does anyone know any midwifes (we're prefer CNM's) who do home deliveries in Northeast Baltimore (Parkville area).

Thanks very much!!!

:-)Cat

[juneboymum]

Congrats!  We live in Parkville, too.  I'm sorry I don't have any good suggestions other than to search the archives on here.  There have been lots of discussions lately about alternatives to homebirth because it's been so hard lately to find a homebirth midwife, especially CNM.  I just delivered 5 weeks ago with the midwives at Upper Chesapeake in Bel Air and had a good experience (completely drug/intervention free birth).  I'm happy to share my experience with you if you can't find a homebirth midwife.  Good luck!

[homewithtwinsmama]

Cat, there are no CNMs doing home birth in your area.  It would be great if you would write a letter to Del. Shane Pendergrass, Delegate Eric Bromwell and Del. Nathan-Pulliam and tell them you want a homebirth and can't find a legal provider. There is a huge debate about licensing CPMs in our state right now and these three are currently the biggest targets on the relevant committee that need to be convinced there is need and desire among Maryland families for more home birth options.  Call me if you want to talk area options.  301655-5853

[ruffgirl]

Ditto to what the above posters have said. Hopefully there will soon be more homebirth options! But, we were in a similar position and opted to birth at Special Beginnings in Arnold. While it is a long drive and not your home, for us it was a great way to stay out of the hospital and be able to return home right after the birth. We were very happy with our experience there. Feel free to PM me if you have questions.

[Susan Jenkins]

There are two CNM-staffed birth centers in Maryland -- the previously-mentioned Special Beginnings in Arnold and Bay Area Midwifery Center in Annapolis. I don't know if the midwives at either center also provide home birth services. CPMs are not yet licensed in Maryland and there has been a "witch hunt" by the Boards of Medicine and Nursing to stop them from practicing, but, as other posters have indicated, there is a very active campaign lobbying for a licensing law. People in that campaign might know about any CNMs doing home births.  Check out this website:

http://marylandfamiliesforsafebirth.org/

Hearings are scheduled in the near future.  Supportive testimony from two health professionals could be very helpful.  Jeremy Galvan is one of the leaders of this consumer-headed group.

Best wishes,

Susan

[Steve's Wife]

http://www.altbirthchoices.com/about_biographies.html

There's Evelyn and one other, I can't remember her name. We delivered at Soecial Beginnings in 2008 and probably will again this summer. I am sort of exploring homebirth but I'm always concerned that with the two midwives doing a huge area they won't make it, and I have a history a severe PPH.

[KatyLinda]

Evelyn is not doing deliveries at this time.  I'm a pregnant woman in the same area, and I have contact info for CPMs, but there are not any currently licensed CNMs who will deliver babies in this area.  I would recommend you get involved with Maryland Families for Safe Birth and help advocate for change in Maryland so that we have the option of a safe and legal homebirth.  

[jenrford]

I live in Parkville, too. We should start a club or something. 

I am pregnant with my third child. I had a c-section, and then a VBAC. I really want a homebirth, but went to check out Special Beginnings tonight, since the homebirth scene seems pretty hostile here. Halfway through the talk with the midwife at SB, he said they don't do VBACs at the center. Surely he didn't mean second VBACs, so I raised my hand for clarification... yep... no VBACs at all.

I didn't even consider that a second VBAC wouldn't be permitted at a birth center. I just moved here from TX, and second VBACs were allowed at the center near me. To say I am devastated is an understatement. 

I really want a waterbirth in my living room. Failing that, I'd like to have a waterbirth in a low-intervention setting... is that even possible in MD, considering I have had a c-section (and a successful VBAC)?

If anyone wants to see pictures of SB, I did take some of the rooms and birthing tubs/jacuzzis. I can email them to anyone who wants to see without having to drive down there.

I'd love to hear any VBAC info anyone may have. Advice, funny jokes, recommendations... :)

Good luck to all the mamas,

Jennifer

[KatyLinda]

Jennifer - I'm a VBAC mom too.  I had a vaginal birth, then a section because she was breech, and now will have a VBAC with this baby.  If you're looking for CPM options, PM me.  Right now I'll be delivering at Upper Chesapeake Medical Center with the midwives there. It's not a perfect situation, but I think it's my best bet for a VBAC.  I've spent the past 23 weeks (I'm 28 weeks pregnant) trying to figure out how to have the home birth I want in Maryland.  It seriously sucks.  Anyway, feel free to PM me if you want the info I've gathered....  

[jenrford]

KatyLinda--

 I would love to hear what you've gathered! I was looking at the Upper Chesapeake website the other night. They are the ones who work with the Susquehanna OB midwives, right?

 I really want a water birth. Am I remembering right that Upper Chesapeake has a single birthing tub?

Thanks!

Jennifer 

[KatyLinda]

While they do have a tub, it is a HUGE tub, they said since they've had it only 1 mom couldn't get it when she wanted it, etc.  No VBACs may labor in the tub.  My plan is to head to the Hampton Inn on route 24.  They have a jacuzzi suite.  I will check in there and labor there.  And then head to UCMC around 8 cm.  The hotel is 6 miles away and the closest I could find.... I'll PM you with more info....  

[juneboymum]

Well, I must be the 2nd person who couldn't get in the tub when I wanted it at Upper Chesapeake.  There was someone in that room when I called from home.  By the time I got there (45 minutes later) they had moved that mom but were still cleaning when I got there.  I walked in the door fully dilated so there wasn't time to fill the tub up for me.  Oh well, the baby came so fast it wasn't a big deal!  They did make a big effort to free up the room for me and they made sure I was 100% OK with just having my baby and not waiting for the tub.

Maybe we should start a Parkville club.  :)

[Maternalove]

Here's my suggestion to the VBAC moms. I just delivered at St. Josphs and it was all things considered (VBAC and GBS +) a really good experience. They don't have tubs but you can't labor in tubs anyway. 

Stay home as long as humanly possible! 

Have a very detailed birth plan, I'll pm you mine if you'd like.

Hire a doula. 

While I didn't get the birth I truly wanted, it was as best as it could be.

[Jenga]

I had my 2VBA1C at AAMC with Bay Area Midwifery. Pretty good experience. I second the stay home as long as possible mantra; I got there at 9cm (really not that far into labor on purpose, though) and AAMC didn't push HepB or bathing the baby on me. I simply said no and the nurses I had were really ok with it.

[cat2elp]

Thank you for the rec! :-)

[cat2elp]

Ack!  Sorry!  Thank you all so much for responding!  I'm so new to this thing that I didn't even realize I'd gotten any replies until just now!  Thank you!

[cat2elp]

@homewithtwinsmama, Susan and KatyLinda--thank you all very much!  I did sign the petitions and send emails to the target delegates through the Move-On system but I heard that things did not go well which is very upsetting.  I am happy to advocate as needed even though it is outside my specialty area as a physician because I cannot believe how the BON is behaving about this (not to mention my physician colleagues--very disappointing!).  I think I'm probably going to be forced to head to a birthing center.  I'm really frustrated with my OB thus far and I think my husband and I are probably going to have to fight hard to get the type of birth we want in a hospital.  The whole thing is just so ridiculous!  Thank you for your advice and support!

Originally Posted by homewithtwinsmama 

Cat, there are no CNMs doing home birth in your area.  It would be great if you would write a letter to Del. Shane Pendergrass, Delegate Eric Bromwell and Del. Nathan-Pulliam and tell them you want a homebirth and can't find a legal provider. There is a huge debate about licensing CPMs in our state right now and these three are currently the biggest targets on the relevant committee that need to be convinced there is need and desire among Maryland families for more home birth options.  Call me if you want to talk area options.  301655-5853

Originally Posted by Susan Jenkins 

There are two CNM-staffed birth centers in Maryland -- the previously-mentioned Special Beginnings in Arnold and Bay Area Midwifery Center in Annapolis. I don't know if the midwives at either center also provide home birth services. CPMs are not yet licensed in Maryland and there has been a "witch hunt" by the Boards of Medicine and Nursing to stop them from practicing, but, as other posters have indicated, there is a very active campaign lobbying for a licensing law. People in that campaign might know about any CNMs doing home births.  Check out this website:

http://marylandfamiliesforsafebirth.org/

Hearings are scheduled in the near future.  Supportive testimony from two health professionals could be very helpful.  Jeremy Galvan is one of the leaders of this consumer-headed group.

Best wishes,

Susan

Originally Posted by KatyLinda 

Evelyn is not doing deliveries at this time.  I'm a pregnant woman in the same area, and I have contact info for CPMs, but there are not any currently licensed CNMs who will deliver babies in this area.  I would recommend you get involved with Maryland Families for Safe Birth and help advocate for change in Maryland so that we have the option of a safe and legal homebirth.  

[cat2elp]

Hey Jennifer thanks for replying!  I'm due in early November--when are you due?  Parkville club indeed :-)  What did you think of SB?  Was it nice?  Did it seem like a really long drive?  My husband is a bit nervous about the driving factor!  

Originally Posted by jenrford 

I live in Parkville, too. We should start a club or something. 

I am pregnant with my third child. I had a c-section, and then a VBAC. I really want a homebirth, but went to check out Special Beginnings tonight, since the homebirth scene seems pretty hostile here. Halfway through the talk with the midwife at SB, he said they don't do VBACs at the center. Surely he didn't mean second VBACs, so I raised my hand for clarification... yep... no VBACs at all.

I didn't even consider that a second VBAC wouldn't be permitted at a birth center. I just moved here from TX, and second VBACs were allowed at the center near me. To say I am devastated is an understatement. 

I really want a waterbirth in my living room. Failing that, I'd like to have a waterbirth in a low-intervention setting... is that even possible in MD, considering I have had a c-section (and a successful VBAC)?

If anyone wants to see pictures of SB, I did take some of the rooms and birthing tubs/jacuzzis. I can email them to anyone who wants to see without having to drive down there.

I'd love to hear any VBAC info anyone may have. Advice, funny jokes, recommendations... :)

Good luck to all the mamas,

Jennifer

[cat2elp]

Originally Posted by juneboymum 

Congrats!  We live in Parkville, too.  I'm sorry I don't have any good suggestions other than to search the archives on here.  There have been lots of discussions lately about alternatives to homebirth because it's been so hard lately to find a homebirth midwife, especially CNM.  I just delivered 5 weeks ago with the midwives at Upper Chesapeake in Bel Air and had a good experience (completely drug/intervention free birth).  I'm happy to share my experience with you if you can't find a homebirth midwife.  Good luck!

Thank you!  Congrats on your new baby!  I'll keep Upper Chesapeake in mind--this search is not looking good for the home birth!!

[VBACmama4]

Cat, here is a list (from 2011, but still might be of some help) from the Maryland Area Homebirth Options website of midwives in MD and surrounding areas:http://marylandhomebirth.webs.com/localmidwives.htm

This is the website for Chesapeake Birth Companions, which is primarily a doula service but they often have knowledge of midwives practicing in the area (specifically Balt/Har/Cec counties) http://www.chesapeakebirthcompanions.com/

As a new mom it might not be so difficult for you to find a water birth or birth center birth that is exactly what you want even though it's not in your home. The medical and homebirth climate in MD is obviously very tense but if you build a good support system for yourself and get as much education as you can I'm sure you will be able to get through the process with less stress than us VBAC's! I'm driving almost 2 hours to a birth center in Northern VA because many options are closed to me even though this is my 3rd VBAC. Really frustrating, but even I was able to find a homebirth midwife after a few months of searching. We decided to go another way because we are too far from the most local hospital in the event of an emergency to feel comfortable birthing at home. 

I hope you find your way to the best possible birth experience, it's such a special time for you!! Good luck and congrats :)