Hello! North Country Midwifery is a home birth midwifery service. My services include continuity-of-care throughout your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery. I stress the importance of excellent nutrition, education of the childbearing process and informed decision-making. Family involvement is encouraged.

I respect birth as a natural process and rite of passage in the life of a woman and her family. I would like you, as one of my clients, to feel actively involved in the health of your own pregnancy. I would encourage you to prepare for your baby’s birth by making positive choices, reading, and taking childbirth classes. Through regular care, I watch to make sure that your pregnancy remains within normal parameters. If there is any concern, a physician-consult or ultrasound can be arranged.

As your pregnancy progresses, I give you a reasonable list of supplies to gather for the birth.  The items I will bring include a waterproof fetal doppler, herbs and homeopathic remedies, birth safety medications, sterile instruments, and newborn safety equipment.  I also bring a birth ball and birth stool, helpful tools for laboring in a supported upright position. I work with two compassionate assistants who provide labor support and help with the birth.

As you plan for your birth, you may decide to invite family or friends to share with you in the experience, or you may choose to birth more privately. Laboring in the familiar surroundings of home provides comfort and gives you the confidence to try different positions, vocalize, eat, or bathe as you choose; birth then unfolds in its own natural rhythm. Vaginal birth after a previous Cesarean-section delivery (VBAC) is an option, provided that certain eligibility requirements are met.  Waterbirth is another wonderful option for labor and/or birth;  we can discuss how to plan for a home waterbirth by renting a birthing pool.

My education and training include a B.A. in Psychology from Carleton College, childbirth education training with Informed Birth & Parenting, a 5-year midwifery apprenticeship with Concord Midwifery Service, completion of the Massachusetts Midwives Alliance's Midwifery Studies course, study at the NH Technical Institute, Phlebotomy Certification, ongoing certification in Neonatal Resuscitation, and continuing professional education. I am currently in nursing school working toward my RN.  I serve on the the Newborn Screening Advisory Committee, the NH Midwives Association, and the NH Midwifery Council. 

I began my midwifery training in 1993 and earned my NH-Certified Midwife credential in 1999.  I practiced for 6 years in the Lakes Region as owner of the homebirth service Moonrise Midwifery.  In July 2005, I relocated to Colebrook and opened North Country Midwifery Service to serve women in this region of the state without access to homebirth midwifery care.  I became licensed in Vermont in 2007, enabling me to cross the Connecticut River to attend births!  It is important to me to work within the protocols of safe practice and the midwifery model of care, while empowering women to experience the strength of birth.

MY SERVICES INCLUDE:

Free initial consultation
Complete personalized prenatal care
The use of natural treatments for common problems
Basic gynecological care and STD screening
Prenatal care and testing
Referral to health care professionals, if indicated
Labor monitoring and planned home birth services
Waterbirth option, for labor and/or birth
Birth certificate paperwork
Newborn Screening
Postpartum care services, including breastfeeding support
Payment accepted through Medicaid, "Out-of Network" insurance plans, or by self-payment

I bring my "office" (supplies and equipment) to you, for in-home care during your prenatal and postpartum visits. I accept healthy, low-risk women as candidates for home birth.  In NH I serve the North Country area, from Littleton up to the Colebrook area.  In Vermont's Northeast Kingdom I will travel as far west as St. Johnsbury and Newport, and cover the area east of those towns toward the state border.  A reasonable travel fee is assessed for making the home visits, based on your distance from my home.

Hope to talk to you soon.
Monica