Hi,
I just moved to Summit, and I'd like to know what kinds of midwife services are available around here. In Chicago, Northwestern's Prentice hospital has the best of both worlds: in-house midwife practice and immediate access to top-tier NICU services and physicians if anything should go wrong with the birth. Is there anything like that around here? It was part of our insurance there, so we didn't even have to pay any extra. Thanks for your advice!
OK, I'm adding on to my request, based on your responses: what if I extended my search to NYC, so that I could go stay in New York around my delivery date and then deliver somewhere there? Would that make it possible to do a high-level NICU hospital with a midwife?
I think a hospital in Englewood (or Edgewater-I get the "E" towns up there mixed up, sorry!!) has midwifery services. I am sorry I can't be more specific for you, but it's a start. Good luck!!
Dear M.,
Congratulations on your pregnancy! My son was delivered by the Hackettstown Midwives in Hackettstown. It's a bit of a hike from where you are, but honestly, less of a hike than it was for me. It was absolutely worth the trip! The midwives were extraordinary -- just incredibly knowledgeable, compassionate, and respectful. Visits with them weren't like quick exams at all; they were open-ended, respectful conversations. If you have 10 million questions, they'll patiently sit with you until you've gotten an answer to every single one. The facility where they deliver is set up for water births, but it's also got a NICU and a full team of physicians, surgeons, all kinds of specialists. This practice is really one of a kind. I cannot recommend it enough.
Best wishes,
Mira
i used Marla Scott for my first birth and was NOT happy. I had a very medicalized birth, and felt like the whole "midwife" thing was just smoke and mirrors. It all depends on what you want, but I decided that I did not want unnecessary medical intervention, which is what you mostly get in NJ hospitals. (And NJ has the highest c-section rate in the country.)
For my second birth, just 3 weeks ago, I went with a homebirth midwife. It was wonderful, and was the best decision I ever made. She has a backup doctor and practice at Morristown Hospital, so I felt completely safe. BTW, Morristown Hospital does have midwives--there are two practices. One to One Female Care (which is part of the backup practice my midwife uses) and the other one is Avalon (www.avalonmidwives.com). I have not delivered with either of these practices, so I can't tell you much more.
Good luck.
Hi! I had a midwife for my 16 month old son's delivery and it was the best. Unfortunately there are not the same caliber services as Northwestern's Prentice here in NJ. There are only 2 hospitals that I know to offer midwife delivery, Palisades Hospital in Fort Lee and St Clares in Denville. I read something that said Overlook in Summit will allow midwife delivery, but I've never heard any personal stories regarding that.
My midwife is Marla Scott and she's incredible! She practices with 2 OB's and my insurance covered everything. I delivered at St. Clares even though it's a good 40 minute drive from where we live. It was a wonderful experience, everyone was so nice and we had a spacious private room. I'm not sure what level their NICU is but I felt very comfortable there. I still drive to see Marla for my yearly check ups. Her number is ###-###-#### and here's the link for st clares. http://www.saintclares.org/stclares/services/services_lq/...
Best of luck...
Oh also found this website, although I don't know how up to date it might be. http://www.newjerseymidwife.org/index.php?option=com_cont...
I am not sure how far you are willing to travel, but the midwives at Hackettstown Hospital are fantastic!
C.
C. Flynn-Vasquez, CD
Empowered Path Birth Services
____@____.com
