I had an amazing homebirth with M.A.M.A.S. for my third baby in 2019 - and it was the most incredible level of care I've ever experienced as a woman. Where do I begin? The prenatal visits I had were comfortably and conveniently in my home. My toddler and 4 year old were often hanging around, I didn't have to arrange for childcare (a huge plus) and they were always welcome and included in the visits. These prenatal visits were often around an hour, a far cry from the 5-10 minute check-in of my previous midwife-in-a-hospital practice. I was also so comfortable in my own home, that blood draws that would normally have me feeling squeamish were practically unnoticeable. Dr. Máiri once said, "imagine how this correlates to birthing at home!" (and wow, was she right!) Once a month, the community care visit took place in Kathy or Máiri's homes - delicious fresh snacks were always served and I had the chance to connect with the other women due the same month as me. It was just incredible and, as a doula and third time mother, I knew that the medical care I was receiving was unparalleled. Evidence-based data was also presented to me as a patient but a choice was never pushed on me. I really appreciated that and I also found it very empowering to basically be told to read and listen to the research, not just have someone tell me what to do. It made me feel a lot more like a participant in my healthcare. When I was in labor, I had two midwives and a midwife assistant in my own home, at my beck and call. They made themselves scare while I labored and were right there whenever I needed them. If I experienced any doubt, they reassured me that my baby was doing just fine and so was I. I will forever remember Kathy's calm and confident facial expression as I labored away. The midwives encouraged me to guide my baby out into the world myself with their careful assistance and it was the most incredible and empowering feeling. Immediately postpartum, they never let my baby feel cold and exposed and I really noticed this. My baby was wrapped up in a blanket and weighed, for example, and he was never upset. This is a noticeable difference from a hospital birth and it shows a level of care and thoughtfulness that I really appreciated. Every little way that M.A.M.A.S. care for birthing people is clearly and carefully chosen and thought through. They are also wildly knowledgeable and experienced. I consider it a real honor to be able to have birthed in my own home with them. I'm so grateful to M.A.M.A.S. for every single step of my prenatal care, birth and postpartum experience. Their words of wisdom are magic and I cannot recommend them any more highly. read more

I've been a client of MAMAS for three years in a row with each of my pregnancies. As a first time mom, I felt at ease and secure in my decision to give birth at home. I felt empowered and informed about the real risks and benefits of every intervention and test that might come up. MAMAS offers truly personalized care. They get to know you and make sure you leave their appointments with all your questions answered and with resources for you to find more information. Everything they recommend is evidence based and not based on arbitrary rules and money like hospitals. They are like having a second family and are so loving and supportive. MAMAS maintains an attitude of service and informed consent. They always make sure to get REAL consent from mom before doing ANYTHING. I really appreciate them for that. I am a Black American woman. I have/had major concerns and fears about medical care and hospitals due to the long history of racism and discrimination against my people in the healthcare industry. MAMAS has been amazing and has given me and my family the best care I have ever gotten from any healthcare provider. They actually listen to me and never dismiss my concerns or symptoms. My first son was born at 37 weeks at 5.5lbs and had a strange placenta with a very thin and weak umbilical cord. For some reason it was very hard for me to deliver the placenta. Katie and Mairi sprang into action and retrieved it! I owe them so much. They were prepared to transfer me to the hospital if needed and even started the IV for me just in case. They always keep maternal health at the forefront! MAMAS is not in-network with any insurance, so you have to pay out of pocket for everything, which is a few thousand $ (ALL worth it), but they do have a dedicated staff member who handles insurance claims so you can try to get reimbursed. She is just as nice and supportive as the Midwives and also is very patient. (Shout out to Leslie!) Usually you need to get your PCP to start a gap exception with your insurance and then when all is said and done, they should cover you at in-network rates so you get reimbursed more. All in all, I highly recommend them. I can't say enough good things about the practice and especially about Mairi! She's truly a GEM and dedicated to her passion, which shows in her method of care! read more

At the beginning of my pregnancy, I experienced a difficult time with a practice I was visiting and felt that I was treated as a statistic due to my weight. After some research, we came across M.A.M.A.S and met with them at a monthly information session they offer. We were filled with relief to find a group of midwives who saw me as an actual person! They assured me that my body knew how to birth a child and I felt my worries begin to melt away. Finally, I felt that I could enjoy my pregnancy instead of feeling anxiety about the next few months of my journey. Month after month, our community and in-home visits were great and I felt that I was in the best hands for my prenatal care. My labs came back normal and my sonograms were also great which proved that regardless of my weight, I too could have a beautiful home birth. During my labor, I felt safe in the comfort of my own home, I walked around as much as I wanted, and my husband ended up making me cookies which filled our whole home with swirls of pumpkin spice! I couldn't have had any of the things that brought me peace in a hospital setting and having the support of my partner, midwives, and doula made my labor the best experience I could have asked for. My baby was born in a warm pool which made me feel weightless and alleviated my aches. I let my body take over and after 30 minutes of the final stage of labor, our baby dove into the pool unassisted. I scooped her up into my arms and as her body touched mine, I fell in love with the most beautiful baby. We moved from the pool to our bed and cuddled while Mairi made sure baby was doing great without taking her away. We bonded in bed for at least an hour before she was weighed and given her check up; it was perfect. Baby was tranquil and I was cared for by our support team. I couldn't have asked for a better birth experience. I'm so glad I didn't accept the mediocre care I was offered at a cold and busy clinic practice and that I followed my intuition to seek a group that care for their patients as individuals and provide excellent medical care for mothers and their babies. read more

I have had two babies with MAMAs. Being with them is hands down the best healthcare experience of my life. The prenatal care was so loving, connective, and generous: instead of having to travel to a busy medical office, the midwives came to my house, where we were able to sit on the couch, have tea, do all the medical checks and have in depth conversations about how I was feeling and what I was thinking. I was able to learn so much about the process of pregnancy and birth, and to get advice and insight on my own body and process, without feeling rushed or anonymous. When late-breaking complications arose in my first pregnancy, they skillfully and quickly assessed that I should transfer and give birth in the hospital to have access to a NICU just in case. As it turned out my baby was totally fine. I deeply appreciated, though, their insight and expertise in making a wise and well-thought-out recommendation for me to transfer. I was thrilled to be able to be with them for my second baby and this time was able to stay at home and give birth there - faster than anyone expected, but still in a setting of peace, calm, trust, and beautiful caregiving skills. I also went through a heartbreaking miscarriage with care from the MAMAs midwives and they went far above and beyond to provide medical connections that I needed and emotional support as well. While homebirth is obviously not for everyone, birth should be able to be this way for anyone who wants it. read more

Midwifery is a humanistic art and science and MAMAS is a truly gifted practice that I recommend to anyone that believes birth is a natural process. Pregnant women deserve support, empowerment, and recognition of their diverse needs. My daughter was born in 2015, and I remember my experience with Mairi, Katie, and Erin very fondly. When I was pregnant and looking for birthing options in the area, I was happy to hear MAMAS's philosophy that seeks to nurture and impart wisdom to the mother-to-be. I wanted freedom to birth naturally, listen to my body, give birth in any position that felt comfortable, and avoid unnecessary medical interventions. I loved the home visits and community prenatal group. I also was very happy with MAMAS's partnership with George Washington University Hospital and the wonderful midwife team that brought my daughter into the world! My daughter was born a few weeks early and in the hospital, but GW respected the home-birth philosophy and practices, and my choices. I also am grateful to Mairi and her team for taking such great care of me the day I went into labor and Mairi transferred me to GW. The midwives followed up with me at home in the weeks after my daughter's birth. As a first-time mother, I am grateful to have a wonderful pregnancy and birth story. I would choose MAMAS again for a second pregnancy. read more

I wish I could give more than 5 stars! After a terrible experience at an ob/gyn office, I decided to look into home birth and found M.A.M.A.S. I was intrigued when I noticed they had orientations to help people decide whether home birth was for them. I've never had a healthcare experience like this before. They also shared some very interesting information regarding the natural process of the baby- mother bond that made me instantly decide to have a home birth and have MAMAS assist. The visits and community care sessions were perfect. I felt empowered and truly being cared for. Emily was my point midwife and she was absolutely amazing. I ended up having health complications and couldn't have my baby at home but Emily came to my birth at the hospital and made sure my birth went as close to planned as possible. I absolutely loved the entire team. Everyone was so awesome and kind. They were always available for questions via email and text. They were fairly priced, work with your insurance and even conducted 6 postpartum visits over a 6 week period versus 1 visit at 6 weeks. I appreciate and miss them so much and look forward to baby #2 with MAMAS. read more

I wish all of my friends could use M.A.M.A.S. for their births. This team of midwives is incredible! They put the families first- not their own agenda! From the very start, M.A.M.A.S. acted very professional, they were responsive, and respectful of all my "silly" concerns. I had a wonderful pregnancy and successful, unmedicated home birth, and thanks to their expertise I was empowered the whole time! I never questioned my ability, trusting in them to care for me and my baby the whole way through. I love their philosophy and wholistic approach to pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care. I know my experience was entirely different than many of my friends' who gave birth in a hospital and I will definitely use them again! After my birth, I am now left with more than just a beautiful baby, but a community of support. Through this practice you gain more than just prenatal care. You also gain a vast community of likeminded MAMAS families who can answer questions and be rich resources for new mamas like myself. If you've read all the way until now, don't second guess yourself-just go with M.A.M.A.S. read more

Finding and choosing MAMAS to be my care providers during my first pregnancy and delivery is one of the greatest blessings and best decisions that I have made. Mamas midwives have years of medical experience and training, as well as relationships with the local hospitals. They also have a profound reverence for motherhood, childbirth, and babies that I believe is incredibly rare to find in a care provider. MAMAS helped me to feel safe and cared for while also feeling respected and empowered even during the very vulnerable experience of childbirth. I always felt like we (me and my baby) were in excellent hands with MAMAS, and I never felt like I had to make any sacrifices in terms of safety and medical care in order to have a beautiful, respectful, meaningful, patient homebirth. In fact, I felt we were more safe than anywhere else. I cannot recommend mamas highly enough for all moms who know that they and their baby are healthy and strong. I'm so thankful that my baby girl got to join the world in such an intimate, integrated way. I wish all birthing moms could receive care like you get with MAMAS. read more

Highly recommend for woman-centric prenatal/postnatal care and birth, and they help with the administrative/paperwork side (insurance, etc.) - I'm getting over 80% reimbursement. More personally, Mairi and Emily are highly trained medical professionals who are calming and supportive, as is their midwife assistant, Mandy (just learned she is moving on and bummed to hear it!). They are there to make YOU comfortable, listen to you, and support the birth experience you want. Mine was uncomplicated, comfortable and fast at home - they massaged me, coached me with my husband, and stayed for hours afterward to monitor baby and make sure I was set up for a comfortable night. They do 6 postpartum visits versus the standard 2, provided lactation and general home care support, and also did a bonus visit because we were having issues due to tongue tie. Another mom in our group had complications that required a scheduled hospital induction - she reported a beautiful, amazing experience with minimal intervention beyond what was medically necessary and a great sense of control. I cannot recommend them enough! read more

Anyone looking for a safe, nurturing homebirth can feel confident in the hands of M.A.M.A.S. Midwives. I never felt so respected, as a woman, and as a human being, as I did on the day of my homebirth. My first two children were born with midwives in the hospital. I almost went with a local hospital-based midwifery practice for my third, but I just knew that there was potential for a birth experience that fully allowed my body to just do what it needed to do and really held me and my family throughout the prenatal, birth, and postnatal time. I am so thankful that I found M.A.M.A.S.! Kathy, Katie, and Erin attended my birth in 2015 and Mairi was incredibly supportive throughout. The combination of home visits for prenatal care and community care visits where we met as a group with other parents was brilliant. All of my questions were answered with the most up-to-date scientific evidence. Not having to go anywhere for the baby to be evaluated in the few days after birth was so, so nice and conducive to healing and bonding. I am forever grateful to M.A.M.A.S. Midwives. read more

M.A.M.A.S. is an incredible practice. My wife had a wonderful, safe home birth with Kathy and Mairi, and we absolutely loved the community care gatherings and the all-at-home maternity care visits. They are expert, thorough, deeply experienced, calm, wise and caring. Mairi is the first to receive a PhD in midwifery and you truly cannot find a more experienced practitioner. They give tons of information so you can make your own choices about care for yourself and your baby. The transfer rate to hospitals is very low, but if you need to transfer, they have a relationship with GW midwives and very clear plans for the (extremely rare) emergency transfer if you need to go to a closer hospital. The community around the practice is also wonderful - we attend events a few times a year and keep in touch with MAMAS parents through an active and positive listserv. I cannot recommend this practice highly enough. read more

The midwives of MAMAS helped me have the beautiful home birth I was hoping for. They were caring, attentive, supportive, and responsive to my needs throughout the process. Their prenatal care was exceptional and I felt safe and ready to have my baby. They explained each procedure and step of the process to me clearly and made sure all my questions were answered. The community care visits helped me connect with other pregnant women and share stories, hopes, and worries. During the birth the midwives followed my lead and provided a calm presence while monitoring me without being intrusive. They continued their care after the birth of my daughter and helped us settle into our new family. I had trouble breastfeeding my first daughter but thanks to the midwives, breastfeeding my second.m daughter went well right from the beginning. I can't recommend MAMAS enough! read more

I am thrilled with my experience with M.A.M.A.S. I cannot say enough about how wonderful this practice is. Mairi and Emily were on top of the most current evidence, payed careful attention to COVID protocols, and took the time to talk through every prenatal decision with me. During the birth it felt so good to have a team of providers whose sole focus was to care for me. Being able to crawl into my own bed w my partner and new baby after delivery was so very special. I had difficulty with breastfeeding postpartum. Their expertise and increased support (they did extra home visits to keep us on track) helped to keep my daughter feeding w breast milk to this day! As a midwife myself I know so many amazing midwives. I chose M.A.M.A.S and am so thankful I did. I recommend them so very highly. read more

I am so, so grateful that I went with M.A.M.A.S. for my home birth. They provided excellent care every step of the way from pregnancy, through the birth, to 6 weeks postpartum. As a first time mama, I learned SO MUCH from their wisdom and care. I started my pregnancy with a regular doctor who rushed me and my questions in brief 20 minute check ups. My questions and concerns were all brushed off with the same response, "Just enjoy your pregnancy"-- not helpful. With M.A.M.A.S., each appointment was as long as it needed to be-- sometimes just 30 minutes, and sometimes an hour and a half. I was blown away by the contrast of care-- personalized, patient, and kind. read more

Amazing experience all around! I'm a FTM. I was able to have many of my appointments at my house which made everything so much easier. MAMAS also fosters a sense of community within it's practice, which was wonderful. It's great to have other moms around, as they often have insights and questions that I wouldn't have thought of. My birth was also seamless, and since there wasn't the transition from hospital to home there was so much less stress in taking care of my baby. MAMAS Midwives were always accessible to me and helped with everything from answering my questions to helping my successfully breastfeed. I was so pleased with everything and our family is thriving read more

I always wanted a home birth. Being at home seems cosy and normal. I wanted to give birth naturaly and use the birthing tub. I wanted to give birth with people who know me. I wanted to eat, drink, walk, take a bath, watch tv whenever I want. I wanted to be the writer of my birth and not only a character. I wanted to feel the love and the power of being a woman at this precise moment. I wanted to have a different birth story than my friends, my family, my sisters... I wanted to LOVE my birth story. MAMAS made it all possible! And the answer is yes it is definitely possible to have the birth of your dream. read more

Home birth was wonderful for me and my family thanks to Mairi, Kathy, and Katie. They came to my house for all of the prenatal visits. They have caught about a thousand babies each, so there are no scenarios during labor and delivery that they're not prepared for. Knowing that they have relationships with hospitals and OBs in the area gave me and my husband a lot of reassurrance that we'd be well cared for if anything went sideways during the delivery. They were simply excellent. I would recommend home birth for ANYONE who is interested in a fast, no-drama delivery. read more

MAMAS is the best!!! Amazing is the only word to describe these incredible midwives and the home birth experience. I love their knowledge and experience. These women are nothing short than incredible. They created a community around the expecting mother with community meetings, home visits and network that link the mothers even after the birth. They are angels in my eyes!! read more

I have had both a home birth with MAMAS and a birth with in a typical hospital/OB situation. The quality of care, respect, thoughtfulness about my body and my health was far superior with MAMAS. I am thankful that there are options for women to choose what they prefer. This was the most exceptional choice for me and my baby. read more