Home Birth Midwifery Care

As a Certified Professional Midwife I am a guardian of normal birth; and believe that birth, in and of itself, is not a medical condition. When you choose to birth at home, you are choosing to view pregnancy, labor and birth as a normal, beautiful, empowering process.

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When you work with me as your midwife:

Our home-based midwifery care together begins during your pregnancy and extends a full 6 weeks after the birth of your baby. Through each stage I place an emphasis on education, nutrition, and a strong belief in evidence based informed consent in regards to diagnostic testing and procedures. While your physical well-being is important to a healthy pregnancy and birth, I also care for your psychological, social and spiritual well-being. The relationship and trust we develop is paramount to ensuring not only a safe experience (reducing birth injury, trauma, and cesarean section), but one in which you feel connected, grounded and confident.

I have been honored to have attended over 650 beautiful, lovely births at this time. I started as an apprentice home birth midwife in 2007, and became a Certified Professional Midwife in 2012. I continue to attend a variety of conferences, courses and educational programs regarding all aspects of midwifery care.

Read my FAQ about midwifery care & home birth

PRENATAL CARE

While your care during pregnancy will follow the same schedule as any obstetric care provider, your experience of prenatal care will be vastly different. With individualized appointments and a full 45-60 minutes for all visits, we build an intimate and connected relationship of trust and caring over the course of your pregnancy. I am committed to answering all your questions or concerns along with your clinical care and assessments.

visits 1x a month for your first and second trimesters, 2x month between 28-36, once your are past 36 weeks we meet each week until your baby is born
Individual time and attention with appointments that last up to an hour for all questions/concerns.
Assess baby's heartbeat with doppler or fetoscope and monitor baby's growth and position
Monitor your vital signs and conduct routine labwork and testing with informed consent/right to decline
Extensive education and information around all procedures/tests and clinical assessments
Opportunity to create a trusting and caring bond with your midwife

YOUR HOME BIRTH

When the day (or night!) of your birth arrives, your midwifery team will be present through active labor, birth and the first hours postpartum. You will have the opportunity to develop a deep, personal and trusting connection to the care providers attending your birth. We provide comprehensive clinical care for both you and your baby together with emotional and physical support.

Your birth team will include your primary midwife (Dina!) and a 2nd Certified Professional midwife as well as an apprentice, forming a supportive birth team
24 hours on call from 37+ weeks, early labor phone support, and full presence once active labor begins
Birth center environment in your home, including herbs, homeopathy, oxygen, resuscitation equipment, emergency medications to stop bleeding, IV supplies, and suturing equipment with local anesthetic
Check baby's position
Monitor baby’s heart beat with a Doppler, and assess maternal vital signs
Minimizing technological interventions and referring to appropriate practitioners if a medical condition arises at any time during the process

POSTPARTUM CARE

Once your baby is born my midwifery team and I stay in your home for several hours, providing a full newborn exam, along with postpartum care. Postpartum midwifery care for you and baby continues for the next 6 weeks with on-call support and a schedule of both home and office visits.

Postpartum home visits in the first 24 hours and on days 3 and 7
Appointments at 3 and 6 weeks postpartum at your home or in my office
24/7 on-call support throughout your 6 week postpartum period in our care
Routine newborn exam and testing
Referral to postpartum doula care, breastfeeding support, and support groups as needed
Screening for postpartum anxiety/depression with appropriate referrals

Midwifery training:

I am a Certified Professional Midwife with the North American Registry of Midwives. I also current hold certificates in the following:

Newborn Resuscitation in the Out-of-Hospital Setting - MEAC (Midwifery Education Accreditation Council)
Health Care Provider NNR - American Academy of Pediatrics/American Heart Association
Perineal Repair - ACNM (American College of Nurse Midwives)
Knot-Tying Skills and Suturing Skills for Midwives - Nell Tharpe, MS, CNM, CRNFA
Advance Life Support in Obstetrics - American Academy of Family Physicians
Neonatal Resuscitation Program - American Academy of Pediatrics
CPR for Health Care Professionals - American Heart Association

Ten good reasons to choose midwifery care:

1 Individual 1:1 care & personal relationship, including the option for collaborative care.
2 No separation of baby and the mother
3 Continuity of care; knowing who will attend your birth
4 Holistic approach to the whole person/family unit
5 Full comprehensive postpartum follow up
6 A desire to give birth without unnecessary medical intervention
7 A desire to give birth in a comfortable, familiar place surrounded by family
8 Dissatisfaction with previous hospital experiences
9 A desire for freedom and control in the birthing process
10 Cultural or religious concerns

Home Birth Midwifery Care

When you work with me as your midwife:

Midwifery training:

Ten good reasons to choose midwifery care:

Warmth. Compassion. Reverence. Patience. Strength.

Connect with Dina Fraize, Certified Professional Midwife.

Families are having home births all over Central Mass!

Enjoy visits at home or at my Northborough office.