Need reviews/recommendations - Doctors/Midwives in MA

[wantabeanbrat]

Hi there!!!

I am a first timer and 20w3d today. We moved last weekend.

I have been seeing a Doctor in South shore hospital since the beginning of my pregnancy till date.

She was awesome...understood my needs and my fears and I could trust her completely with this pregnancy.

Unfortunately due to my recent move, I cannot continue with the same Doctor anymore 

As per my doctor - so far, mine is a low risk pregnancy, everything looks normal for me and also for the baby, baby's growth looks fine, I don't have any prior history of any medical conditions. so bottomline, if everything goes well - I can totally go for a uncomplicated natural vaginal birth :)

My Doctor said I should go to a midwife, because i am low risk and midwives provide much needed support, care and personal attention. Personally, I am nervous because this is my FIRST pregnancy. Although I would love to have personal attention, support and a natural vaginal birth during my delivery, I would also want advanced medical expertise available if there is some last min risk.  

So I need your advice ....please provide any recommendations / reviews about good ob/gyn doctors or midwives in the boston/cambridge/arlington area. I just came across http://www.mamah.org/. They seem ideal --> midwives and also affiliated to a hospital, so I can have access to a Ob/Gyn in case of emergency. Anybody has any reviews/experiences with MAMAH that you can share?

Really appreciate all your support!

Edited by wantabeanbrat - 8/20/12 at 1:56pm

[Peggy O'Mara]

I moved during my third pregnancy and I know what a drag it is, especially when you've been settled in with a practitioner you like. You can certainly find a midwife with medical expertise. Midwives have this and also have back-up. Here is a blog I wrote about the advantages of a midwife and one with a list of questions to ask your midwife for a homebirth, but many of the questions apply to any birth setting.

Here are some state and national midwifery resources that might help you find the one you're looking for. Best of luck!

Massachusetts Midwives Alliance

Homebirth Midwives

Citizens for Midwifery

[HappyHappyMommy]

If you're open to an OB, I recommend Dr. Beth Hardiman at Mt. Auburn. Her schedule often fills up quickly, but it's worth a call to see if she has an opening. She provides excellent support, care and personal attention.

Wishing you a wonderful pregnancy and birth!

ETA: Dr. Hardiman is very much pro-natural birth, but also has the medical expertise should you need it. Please feel free to PM me with any questions.

[jules33]

I used to live in Arlington and LOVED it, hope you feel the same!  I have heard wonderful things about Beth Hardiman, she is an OB but has the heart and hands of a midwife.  If you are looking for a midwife practice for a hospital birth, the Midwives of Mt. Auburn are excellent, specifically Margie her last name is escaping me... and Deb Gowen.  If you want a CPM for a home birth, I highly recommend Tara Kenny (Porter Square Cambridge, right over the Arlington line) or Audra Karp.  They attended both of my son's births and I couldn't have been happier with their care.  Good luck with your decision!

[jessjgh1]

I hope your move is going well and you found a great birth practitioner!  I used to live in Plymouth, too, so I'm awfully curious about the doctor you found that you loved.  I know many who have  had a hard time finding someone locally.  -Jessica