We offer midwifery care to low risk and high risk patients. You can have a midwife-attended birth even if you have certain pre-pregnancy medical problems or complications during your pregnancy. Midwifery care is safe and respectful. We uphold human dignity, autonomy and consent throughout the pregnancy and birth process. We offer natural forms of labor pain relief as well as medications and epidurals; we welcome babies through vaginal births and through c-sections.
We are highly trained, masters educated professionals with backgrounds in both nursing and midwifery. All are certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board, licensed to practice and prescribe medications by the state of Massachusetts, and credentialed by Baystate Franklin Medical Center. We provide prenatal care at two locations: 48 Sanderson Street, Greenfield MA 325 King Street, Northampton MA If you are considering starting care with us, please schedule a free “meet and greet” visit to see if we can be a good fit.
We work closely with our team of amazing and supportive obstetricians, who provide medical consultation and surgical care when necessary. These physicians have specifically chosen to work with midwives because they believe in the midwifery care model. We communicate frequently, share values, and enjoy a culture of mutual respect.
Birth at the Birthplace Labor
Pain Relief Options
Birthing and whirlpool bath tubs
Showers
Labor Balls
Squatting Bars
Position changes/freedom of movement
Sterile water papules
Nitrous oxide
IV pain medication
Epidural or Spinal Anesthesia
Obstetric Nurses
The nurses at Baystate Franklin are compassionate, knowledgeable and experienced. In addition to their extensive training in obstetrics, many Birthplace nurses bring unique skills to their work, including infant massage, lactation consulting, childbirth education, Maya abdominal massage, and aromatherapy. You are encouraged to schedule a preassessment visit around 37 weeks of your pregnancy to discuss your individual birth plan.
Breastfeeding Support
Breastfeeding support begins with skin-to-skin touch in the first moments after birth. Unless your baby is having difficulty transitioning, we promote uninterrupted bonding time during the first few hours of life, whether you give birth vaginally or via C-section. During this time, the infant is free to instinctively search for the breast. The entire staff at the Birthplace is committed to helping you achieve your infant feeding goals. Assistance with breastfeeding is available at all hours during your hospital stay. Should you experience feeding difficulties, lactation consultants are available both on an inpatient and outpatient basis.
Doula Care
We welcome your labor support people. We work closely with many local doulas and would be happy to help you find doula care if you wish. Family-centered, gentle c-section Should c-section birth be necessary, we will continue to respect as many of your birth wishes as possible. In the operating room, we offer clear or lowered drapes so you can watch your baby being born. Depending on the situation, your baby may be able to slowly wriggle their way out. If you wish, your partner can cut the umbilical cord and your baby can be skin-to-skin with you immediately following the birth. Your midwife will remain with you through your c-section as the surgical first assist.
Services
In addition to routine labor and delivery care, we are proud to offer the following less widely-available options.
Waterbirth
We have two birthing tubs and a whirlpool bath tub for labor pain relief. We support both labor and birth submersed in water if that is part of your birth plan. Wireless, waterproof fetal monitoring is available, so you may be able to have a waterbirth even if continuous monitoring or labor induction is necessary.
Supportive homebirth backup
We welcome home birth patients! Supportive hospital backup makes homebirth safer. If you or your baby needs medical help at any point during your pregnancy or homebirth we are happy to work with you and your homebirth midwife. During your pregnancy, you can meet us for prenatal visits, draw routine labs, access fetal monitoring, or get an ultrasound. Should the need arise at any point during your birth, we provide supportive, welcoming hospital transfers for neonatal or maternal emergencies, labor induction, pain relief or cesarean births.
TOLAC/VBAC after 1 or 2 prior c-sections
We support trial of labor if you have had one (or in some cases, two) prior births via c-section. This is consistent with 2010 and 2017 ACOG guidelines. A midwife attends VBAC’s, while an obstetrician and anesthesiologist are present in the hospital to respond rapidly in event of emergency. Prior to attempting a TOLAC, you will meet with an obstetrician to review your individual risk factors, discuss risks and benefits, and obtain your consent
External Cephalic Versions
Often our obstetricians can turn breech babies prior to labor, enabling vaginal birth. This procedure is also available to homebirth patients.
Twin Vaginal Birth with Breech Second Twin
We support vaginal birth in twin pregnancies, whether your twins are both head down, or your second twin is breech. In this case, your birth team will include both your midwife and obstetricians in the room for your birth.
Inclusivity
We love caring for all kinds of families! Our prenatal care is highly individualized and we do our best to meet each family’s unique needs. We use inclusive language and our office staff and obstetric nurses have gone through special training to ensure we make everyone welcome, regardless of gender identity, sexual partnerships, or family structure. We are receptive to hearing how we can best care for you. We’d also love to help you start your family with services such as 7 day/week IUI’s, s***m washing, and partner-assisted inseminations.
Pregnancy in Recovery
We provide supportive, nonjudgemental care for people in recovery from addiction. The EMPOWER (Engaging Mothers for Positive Outcomes with Early Referrals) program provides patients with individualized pregnancy plans and support from community resources including medication assisted treatment programs and mental health care. This program was one of the first in the state, and is a model for care of this kind. During your hospital stay, obstetric nurses and pediatricians assess your infant and will teach you to care for and support your baby through possible withdrawal. Breastfeeding is encouraged and can help with neonatal withdrawal. Should your baby need a long hospital stay, trained volunteer cuddlers are available 24 hours a day to hold and soothe your baby while you and your family can take a break from the hospital. All Pioneer Women's Health doctors are credentialed prescribers of subutex/buprenorphine.
