Homebirth Family Services List
As an expectant parent you may get a lot of advice about birth and parenting from well-meaning friends and family. One of the goals of our practice is for our clients to be well informed consumers of pregnancy and birth. One of the best ways to accomplish this is through self learning. We give you these suggestions as a starting point in your research as you begin your journey towards parenthood. Many of our families who have positive, empowering births attribute it to their ability to take responsibility for their labor and birth experiences. Through these pregnancy and postpartum resources our hope is that you will develop your own set of values and ideas surrounding your pregnancy and birth experience.
Childbirth Classes
There are a number of different types of childbirth education classes available in this area. Not all types suit all families. We encourage you to call a few of them and get a feel for how classes are run and what their philosophy is. The best classes are the ones best suited to your personality. Please do not take hospital based classes, as they are not for families choosing midwifery care. We require all moms new to homebirth or birth in general take a class suited to homebirth. We know from experience that moms not well informed have a less than optimal experience and are more likely to be transported in labor. Just as you feed your body healthy food to create a healthy pregnancy well suited to homebirth, we encourage you to feed your mind to have the best chances of a safe, healthy homebirth.
Jane Cruice 215-271-2848
Special Beginnings
Bradley Method Childbirth Preparation Classes
Retailer of Fuzzi Bunz cloth diapers
Mom to Simone 04/01/02
Amy Borrelli, Glen Mills, PA 610-765-1252
Journey Birth Services
Birth Doula and Childbirth Educator
Mom to Henry 11/14/06
Nicole Schwartz, Phoenixville, PA 267-205-5612
Spirit Led Services
Birth Doula and Childbirth Educator
Mom to Sophia 05/10/07
Jill Schlacter, Souderton, PA 267-640-3545
Belly Birth and Beyond
Birth and Postpartum Doula and Childbirth Educator
Mom to Dominic 11/08/04 and Katelyn 04/19/07
Morgan Robinson. Collingswood, NJ 856-858-8808
Bradley Childbirth
Mom to Quinn 04/12/07
Shari Hahn, Somerdale, NJ 856-693-3954
BBB BabyBodyBirth Certified Instructor
Mom to Bella 06/17/03
Beth Curtis, Mt. Airy, PA 215-906-5384
Offering Homebirth Preparation Classes and holistic, one-day workshops
Believe in Birth
Brittany McCollum, Philadelphia, PA 215-462-0424
Blossoming Bellies
Jenn Reidy, Allentown, PA 610-395-8065
Knitted in the Womb
Reading Materials
Many books have been written on pregnancy, birth, and baby care, but not all books support the philosophy of empowering women to give birth naturally, care for their babies instinctively, and breastfeed. Be selective about the books you choose to read. Many good books are available at LLL meetings, on their website, and from Moonflower/Cascade. You can also borrow books from the Rising Moon lending library.
Books
Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin
The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer
Birthing from Within by Pam England
The Tentative Pregnancy by Barbara Katz Rothman
Born in the USA by Dr. Marsden Wagner
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by La Leche League International
Attachment Parenting by Katie Allison Granju
Immaculate Deception by Suzanne Arms
Nighttime Parenting by William Sears
The Baby Book by William and Martha Sears
Special Delivery by Rahima Baldwin
The Vaccine Guide by Randall Neustaedter
Children's Books
Welcome with Love by Jenni Overend (for families planning homebirth)
The Night You Were Born by Wendy McCormick
Mom and Dad and I Are Having A Baby by Marianne Maleki (for children involved in the birth)
Happy Birthday! by Robie H. Harris (for families planning hospital birth)
Magazines
Mothering Magazine
The Mother Magazine
The Compleat Mother
Websites
Having a Baby Today
Birthing the Future
The Brewer Diet
Spinning Babies
Where to Find...
Natural Baby Products
Emily Coplon 610-658-2638
Baby carrier sales
Find the perfect carrier to fit your body, your baby, and your budget.
Mom to Ephraim 07/13/05
Joy Grunwald 610-578-9376
Joy's Earthly Goods
Custom maternity and nursing clothing, boutique quality children's clothing, accessories, playthings, diaper bags, nursing pillows, etc.
Mom to Andrew 09/14/03 and Naia 12/30/05
Tonjia Coverdale 877-655-DIVAS
Divas N Babes
Hip clothing for mom and baby. Beautiful slings and mei tais.
Mom to Benjamin 09/22/05
Healing
Sarah Bastian 215-428-2291
Shamballa Multidimensional Healer
Reiki Level II certified (goes hand in hand with Shamballa)
Morrisville, Bucks County, PA
Mom to Abby 03/26/04 and Nathan 09/29/06
Suzanne Mauer 267-720-7265
Evenflow Massage
Deep Tissue, Swedish, Aromatherapy, Prenatal
Mom to Maya 11/14/05
Freedom Platia 610-390-2789
Rica Perez 610-209-6573
Rachel Domenick, Wilmington DE 917-907-0580
Gina Loree Marks 484-712-5081
TouchLifeSpirit
Shiatsu
Kaitlynn Stupak 215-804-7809
Mom to Gabriel 10/30/05 and Malakai 11/08/07
Kymberlie Combs LMT 610-637-7752
Prenatal and Therapeutic Massage
Classes in Infant, Sibling, and Couples Massage
Classes in Pediatric CPR and First Aid
Photography
Lisa DeNardo 610-383-5973
Birth, Life, and Newborn Pictures
Mom to Bella 08/21/04 and Hawthorne 08/14/06
Marilyn Nolt 215-721-9055
Additional Resources
Motherwear 800-950-2500
Nursing clothes and nursing bras
Baby's Choice Diaper Service 800-251-1102
Postpartum Connection 610-525-7527 (help with postpartum depression)
WIC 610-344-6240 West Chester Office
Lactation Consultants and Breast Pumps
LCs are board certified lactation specialists that have passed an exam demonstrating in depth knowledge of breastfeeding. They should be contacted if you feel breastfeeding is not going well, your baby is not gaining weight, not latching correctly, or any other in depth issue that would require a visit. Most LCs have office visits and may also do home visits. Fees vary, but are nominal when compared to the costs involved in bottle feeding a baby. Breastfeeding has too many emotional, environmental, and health benefits to mention, so anything necessary to get it going well is worth the time and effort. Not every breastfeeding mom needs a breast pump, but if you are in need of one or are returning to work it is very important to have a good quality one. Not all breast pumps are equal. Getting one from an LC is the best way to get a top quality breast pump.
Bensalem
Ellen 215-633-0262
Philadelphia
Tammy 610-667-5832
Delaware County
Kay 610-543-5995
Elkins Park
Nikki 215-635-6477
Glenside
Debbie 215-886-2433 (Breastfeeding Resource Center)
Colette 215-517-8368
Lionville
Beth 610-524-MOMS
Lansdale
Ursula 215-997-6941
New Jersey
Connie 856-795-8554
Elizabeth 856-325-3829
Peggy 856-795-2092
Patricia 609-348-4813
Medela
800-TELL-YOU
Prenatal Yoga
Amy 215-828-7255
Practice Yoga Studio
Mom to Lilykate 07/04/06
Yoga Life Institute 610-688-7030
Studio B Wellness Center 215-733-9053
Jami Hogan
209 Fairmount Ave. 2nd Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19123
One Fit Mama 215-886-2869
Tricia Streit Perez, MS, ATC, LAT
Founder and CEO, One Fit Mama
Peggy Henry 610-518-2823
Mom to Gavin 03/29/07
Jade 215-779-6448
Joanne 610-892-0402
Rachel Domenick, Wilmington, DE 917-907-0580
Birth Resources
Homebirth Supplies
Cascade Healthcare Products 503-378-7545
Providing homebirth supplies, herbs, natural baby care products, tinctures and over 1800 titles in the areas of midwifery, childcare, health, and nutrition.
Birth Doulas
Amy Borrelli, Glen Mills PA, 610-765-1252
Nicole Schwartz, Phoenixville PA, 267-205-5612
Kathy Ardekani 610-859-9935
Tamra Larter 856-456-3442
Yvonne Leung 215-840-1603
Janet Cappetta 856-912-1609
Beth Curtis, Mt. Airy PA, 215-844-0106
Jill Schlacter, Souderton PA, 267-640-3545
Postpartum Resources
Postpartum Doulas
Tamra Larter, 856-456-3442
Deanna Weiss, Chester County PA, 610-805-6683
Jackie Kelleher, 610-566-1839
Jill Schlacter, Souderton, PA, 215-721-0430
Kathy Ardekani, 610-859-9935
Pat McFarland, 610-847-8963
Homebirth Friendly Doctors for Your Baby
Dr. Jean Flood, Phoenixville, PA 610-933-1688
Dr. Penny Sopass, Drexel Hill, PA 610-623-9080
Dr. Joseph W. Price, MD, Philadelphia, PA 215-248-4236
Dr. Daphne Goldberg, Philadelphia, PA 610-664-1141
Dr. Sharon Cocoran, Flourtown, PA 215-836-1700
Dr. Wolfy Shay, Barto, PA 610-845-8400
Kressville Pediatrics, 856-795-3320
Chiropractic
Ohm Chiropractic Care, Media, PA 610-565-8823
Dr. Henry Bulitta, Jr., Progressive Chiropractic, Paoli, PA 610-644-5880 (father of William 04/05/07)
Dr. Gino Curcuruto, DC, 856-582-5200 (father of Selah 11/04/04 and Timothy 12/22/06)
Dr. Bob Ackert, Ambler, PA 215-237-9078 (father of Dina 12/25/06)
Dr. Hania Danko, Swarthmore, PA 484-472-7619 (mom of Ronin 01/02/08)
Dr. Nicole Bailey, Downingtown, PA 610-269-6810
Dr. Douglas R. Briggs, Wilmington, DE 302-654-4001
Dr. Don Rocklage, Pottstown, PA 610-469-0700
Acupuncture
Louise Bowman, nutrition and acupuncture, 610-933-1688
Jennifer Corbin, Philadelphia, PA 215-435-3003
Robert Keller, 856-751-3444
Victor Kumar, Philadelphia, PA 215-923-5470
Vaccinations
1-800-909-SHOT
National Vaccine Information Center
Become educated to make an informed choice about vaccinations. Not all children are at the same risk for all illnesses. Researching and making a decision you are comfortable with is most important.
Circumcision
NOCIRC
Albert Fields, 610-489-6505
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization have issued statements that say there is no medical reason for routine infant circumcision. Please take the time to inform yourself about this issue before making a decision. There are two tapes in the Rising Moon Lending library that can be borrowed to help you make an informed choice.
Mohels
Mohels will do a circumcision in your home, which is recommended above any other option if you are going to opt for this procedure.
Moshe Trager, 610-322-5398
Mark Kushner, 800-559-BRIS
David Forstein, 856-719-0623
Breastfeeding Resources
Please attend a series of La Leche League meetings before the birth of your baby. LLL is considered the foremost authority on breastfeeding and is an International non-profit organization. Meetings are free and require no registration. Here you will meet other mothers who have breastfed, make new friends, and learn the most up to date information on breastfeeding. The have lending libraries full of books on breastfeeding, birth, and baby care. LLL leaders are volunteers that have been accredited by LLLI and have nursed their own children for at least one year.
The American Academt of Pediatrics recommends at least six months of exclusive breastfeeding, minimum of one year with complimentary foods and as long there after as mutually desired. The World Health Organization suggests at least two years of breastfeeding.
La Leche League monthly meetings and phone help:
Doylestown
Susanne 215-616-4473
Yardley-Newtown
Katie 215-295-2757
Kami 215-295-0784
Chester County
Judy 610-363-6206
Naomi 610-321-0645
Kerri 610-384-5791
Dana 610-299-1038
Kristina 610-321-0319
Southern Chester County/Delaware
Nancy 610-869-4845
Delaware County
Karin 610-544-2647
Connie 610-328-3475
Ardmore
Emily 610-658-2638
Lisa 610-789-7554
Montgomery County Central
Eliza 215-412-4162
Jeannie 215-513-0512
Karen 610-287-2794
Montgomery County East
Maryann 215-886-1693
Andi 215-822-3964
Philadelphia County
Marlene 215-222-6332
Lisa 856-727-5042
Kate 215-735-9732
Joanne 215-629-5873
LLL of Eastern PA Helpline
610-666-0359
La Leche League International
847-519-9585