Looking for a Midwife

As far as I know, St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital has the only Birthing Center in Manhattan. I didn't use a midwife, but my obgyn (Dr. Lily Wong) delivers there. I had a fantastic birthing experience with her. You can also try calling the Birthing Center directly to ask for recommendations (or to find out which doctors/midwives deliver there).

When I did the tour of the birthing center at St. Lukes Roosevelt, at the end the woman who gave the tour gave us a list of doulas, midwives and doctors that deliver at the birthing center. It is how I found my doctor, who has since moved away, but she was fabulous. The tour guide also gave me her phone number to call her if I had any questions about specific people on the list once I narrowed them down to who took my insurance. I didn't end up using the birthing center (water broke first with meconium and had to go immediately to the hospital) but had an amazing experience on the regular birthing ward at St. Lukes. I was there for 36 hours and only had one crappy nurse and she was just covering for someone on break.
Good luck!

Hi, there are so many lovely and very experienced midwives in NYC. It will be easy to find one you love and respect. It may not be as easy to have a water birth in hospital. The only one I've heard of is Phelps (sp?) in tarrytown but that's far for you. A great website to start at is www.choicesinchildbirth.org they will have links to check out and they offer free monthly meetings for expectant couples on various topics. When I had my first (joanne Middleton @ long island college hospital) I looked at hospital websites and toured a few to see where I would like to deliver then I found the lists of midwives that have rights there. It's a little backwards but I wanted to avoid the places I'd heard weren't very mommy friendly. Also, check out www.realbirth.org this was an indispensible resource for my partner and I. I know I'm not giving you exact names buri hope this helps. Finally, my last two babies were delivered at home one with Cara muhlhan and the other with kristen leonard. They ate very highly trained and both were wonderful experiences. I hope this helps. Best of luck and Take care.. J.

I go to Beverly Woodard (27th & 7th Ave- http://fruitionmidwifery.com/index.html ).
I'm 6 months pregnant and I love her so far. She's great! Always calls me with all test results at anytime of the day.
I'm delivering at St. Vincent's, but they don't have tubs. I haven't done the tour yet, but plan to do so soon.

Good luck!

Hello J.,

I am at 22 weeks and love my midwives. The practice is called CBS Midwifery. Here is their website

http://www.nycmidwives.com/

They birth out of St. Lukes Roosevelt in their birthcenter. I love the midwives- they really take care of you and get to know you. They have an orientation on wednesdays if you are interested in checking them out.

Hope this helps!
E. R.

Hi,

Where in the Bronx?
Do you have name and location?

Just wondering, thanks.

Hi J.,

I am in week 10 of my first pregnancy and am also looking to do a natural childbirth and perhaps water birth. From what I have learned in my research is that Roosevelt Hospital is the only one in Manhattan with birthing tubs. St. Vincents has birthing showers and should be getting tubs soon. They do, however, allow you to bring in a portable tub. I know you asked about midwifes but the one place which was recommended to me has a wait list. You may try it anyway. CBS Midwifery. The reason I'm telling you about the hospitals is because I have decided to find the place which is right for me and then see who works out of that location.

Best of luck,

L.

Look up R. Cosentino, CNM. She is with a group of midwives (www.midwiferyofmanhattan.com)who catch babies at St. Lukes-Roosevelt. I have heard very nice reports about them. You are taking the first best step in achieving the birth experience you want - choosing a momma-friendly practitioner. Well done!

Try doula.org for a listing near you. Good luck!

I had a waterbirth with my first child almost nine years ago with Dr. Lonnie Morris. We are expecting our second child in June and Lonnie will deliver him. Lonnie is the most caring, compassionate practitioner I know.

She is located in Fort lee, NJ. It is right over the bridge. She delivers at Palisades Medical Center, literally across the water. They are affiliated with New York-Presbyterian Healthcare System.

Lonnie Morris, CNM, ND is a certified midwife with a nurse doctorate degree. She is a an influential and vocal advocate for women. She founded the Childbirth Center in 1976 (1st in NJ and only 4th in the country). Check out her site, you'll LOVE her. http://www.childbirthcenter.net

Good luck to you!