Here you will find a continually evolving list of the resources I’m aware of and can recommend to expectant and new parents.

COVID-19 SPECIFIC:

Information:
Evidence Based Birth COVID-19 Page: Excellent evidence based information specific to COVID-19, from the wonderful website Evidence Based Birth.

Hospital Specific Policies:
Cooley Dickinson Childbirth Center
Baystate Franklin: The Birthplace and Pioneer Women’s Health

Providers offering online appointments:
Telehealth Appointments with Amy Mager: Acupuncturist Amy Mager, MS, Lic. Ac., Dipl. O.M. (NCCAOM) of Wellness House Northampton specializes in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine to support Fertility, Pregnancy, Postpartum, Acute and Chronic Pain, Lactation and support for Women’s Health. She is an incredible resource and is offering Telehealth during this time! As she says, “It’s not just about the needles.”

Pregnancy Support Groups:
Online Pregnancy Groups (for Cooley Dickinson prenatal clients): Wednesdays and Mondays 6-7:30. Facilitated by rotating Cooley Dickinson Midwives. Must pre-register. 12 week, 6 meeting sessions.

Timeless:

ONLINE RESOURCES:
Podcasts:
The Birthful Podcast. Rochester NY based Doula Adriana Lozada interviews maternity pros “to inform your intuition.” A wealth of information on a huge range of topics from pre-conception, through pregnancy, and into early parenthood. Searchable archives! Available wherever you get your podcasts.

The Longest Shortest Time. This wonderful look at parenting from many perspectives ended recently, but the episodes are still available in archives. Inspiring stories, great interviews, amazing people. Available wherever you get your podcasts.

Breastfeeding:
Vital Milk is a fantastic local, woman-owned Breast Pump supplier. One of the newest benefits of obtaining your insurance-covered breast pump from Vital Milk includes free lifetime access to the entire Natural Breastfeeding Program: A home study course in six modules and more than 60 short comprehensive videos showing actual mothers in real life situations, which “covers everything a new or expectant mother needs to get off to the best start possible so she can experience the warm and satisfying breastfeeding relationship she’s always dreamed of.”
If you get your pump elsewhere, NaturalBreastfeeding.com provides a free 38 minute video to help you get started with breastfeeding your baby. This is great to watch before your baby’s birth, or in the early days of breastfeeding.

Pioneer Valley Breastfeeding Coalition‘s mission is supporting breastfeeding families and enhancing our community’s public health through advocacy and education. They have up to date lists of local Breastfeeding professionals, support groups, warm-lines, etc.

BOOKS:
Ina May Gaskin: Ina May Gaskin is a world renowned midwife. She has published several books including: Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth, Ina May’s Guide to Breastfeeding, and Spiritual Midwifery. She offers inspirational stories about birth as a transformative and profound passage in life.

The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth, by Shiela Kitzinger. Week by week, comprehensive guide for expectant parents.

Our Bodies, Ourselves: Pregnancy and Birth: What I love about this book is that in every section it includes the words of real people reflecting on their own experience of pregnancy and birth. Succinct, informative, and thorough.

LOCAL RESOURCES:
Childbirth Education classes:
Hospital based Childbirth Education:
Many insurance companies will reimburse you for the cost of childbirth classes taught at hospitals.
Cooley Dickinson
Baystate including Franklin Medical Center

Postpartum and Emotional Support:
Hampshire County Resource and Referral Guide: Compiled by the Hampshire County Perinatal Support Coalition

Laura Pontani: Holistic psychotherapist specializing in prenatal and postpartum support for mothers.

Allison Todd: Clinical social worker and therapist specializing in new parent emotional health. She works with mothers in individual psychotherapy and couples in couple therapy through all phases of new parenthood – fertility planning, pregnancy, and postpartum.

The Family Connections Center: Offers emotional health services for expecting parents and families with children ages 0 to 5 years old. Located in the heart of downtown Northampton, MA.

Center for Perinatal Wellness: Center for Perinatal Wellness LLC was founded on the principal that when a mother struggles her whole family does also. Their clinicians are specifically trained in maternal mental health and specialize in the treatment of women undergoing fertility treatments, pregnancy, postpartum and loss/grief.


Bodywork:
Janel Monet is a Licensed Massage Therapist that has been practicing bodywork since 2011. Janel is also trained in Prenatal and Postpartum massage. Through massage, she helps clients to prepare their bodies and minds for birth as well as alleviate stress and tension in the everyday lives of new parents. Her background in birthwork allows her to easily identify physical needs and offer massage-related, self-care techniques for an optimal pregnancy and birth.

Chaya Leia Aronson at Your Sacred Pelvis. Chaya’s focus is on working with conditions related to menstruation, bladder health, digestion, pelvic health, pregnancy and postpartum. She offers Holistic Pelvic Care, Maya Abdominal Massage, Vaginal Steams, Health and Sexuality Coaching, as well as Movement and Posture Play.

Nutrition:
Michele LaRock: Uses a holistic approach to nutrition that combines science-based research with time-honored traditions.

Chiropractic for Pregnancy, Parents and Infants:
Dr. Rebecca Scandura Whole Focus Chiropractic: Provides individually tailored chiropractic care, soft tissue work, and gentle support in healing at her office in downtown Florence.

Dr. Dan Garfield: Specializes in Network Chiropractic based infant care in Northampton.

Dr. Brenna Werme: Specializes in Network Chiropractic for pregnant people, parents, and babies in Amherst.

Dr. Henre Andosca: Treats infants and parents in Easthampton and takes insurance.

Dr. Linda Levine: Offers chiropractic, homeopathic, and energy medicine to parents and infants in Hadley.

Dr. Daniel Shaver: Chiropractic Associates of Northampton. Dr. Shaver trained in the Webster technique after having so many pregnant people referred to him by Cooley Dickinson (which is located across the street from his office).