Midwife open to accommodating religious beliefs

[jaykee413]

Does anyone know of an ob/gyn or preferably a midwife on the South Shore (MA) who is open minded toward various religious beliefs - will allow me to decline certain tests, etc? I plan on a hospital birth (this will be my first child), but will also be relying on prayer throughout the process, and hope to find someone I can work with who will be sensitive to my beliefs and an advocate for me through the process.

I'm closest to South Shore Hospital, but will travel into Boston or down to Jordan if I find a great midwife. 

Thanks for your help!

[Cynthia Mosher]

Welcome jaykee14! Just bumping your post up for input. 

[jessjgh1]

Hi!
i think Jordan may be great to look into, considering that you can no longer schedule with a midwife at South Shore HOspital (South Shore Woman's Health is the only midwifery practice at SSH now).  The midwives at Jordan Ob/Gyn and Midwifery are many of the same midwives that were at South Shore Midwifery and they are wonderful.  THe midwives at Jordan are used to women declining screenings for non-religious reasons, too.  

I think most birth attendants would be respectful of your spiritual needs. You could also look for a doula-- maybe you will even find a doula or midwife that has similar beliefs to make things go even smoother.    

I'm helping to organize some Birth related events on the South Shore-- we just hosted a birth circle last month and on the 24th we will be screening Doula! in Plymouth at Jordan.  We will try to have a wide range of people present at these events so families can ask questions and get different perspectives.  I"m about to post a flyer with some info on that.

Peaceful pregnancy and birthing thoughts to you!

Jessica