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BAY AREA HOMEBIRTH COLLECTIVE

The Bay Area Homebirth Collective is a group of midwives, labor assistants, and childbirth educators dedicated to empowering women and families through homebirth.

We believe that pregnancy and childbirth are normal, healthy physiological processes and see ourselves as caregivers in normal pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. It is the pregnant woman who is the decision-maker and it is her right to fully understand, choose, and take responsibility for the kinds of procedures used during her birth. The principles of informed choice, continuity of care, woman-as-decision-maker, appropriate technology, integrated education and counseling, and choice of birthplace provide the basis for our philosophy of care. We feel that these principles are the foundation for a trusting relationship between client and caregiver. Safety is ensured through the use of skillful midwifery, risk-screening and appropriate medical referrals.

With BAHC, families choose a midwife who provides their prenatal care and works with them through the birth and postpartum. Other midwives and alternative health practitioners are available for consultation and referral.

Our collective also offers:

The Homebirth Education series
Pregnancy support groups
Postpartum support groups
Community Information Seminars

BAHC comprehensive prenatal care includes:

Physical assessment of well-being and risk screening
Emotional support, validation, and counseling
Appropriate lab work
Nutritional and herbal counseling
Support for family involvement in the birth process

BAHC encourages well-pregnancy self-care through:

Inner exploration
Positive body image
Healthy diet and exercise
Stress reduction

BAHC midwifery embraces:

Respect for the birth process
Recognition of the spiritual elements of birth
Birth as a path of personal growth and empowerment
Continuity of care between client and provider
Informed choice and personal responsibility for health