Comfort, know-how, and support. These  are  the criteria expectant mothers often follow when choosing a doctor to deliver their newborn. That is why pregnant women throughout New England are choosing Wareham Nurse Midwives for their prenatal and after birth care.

"Providence, Dartmouth, Provincetown...,"  Louise Racine Bastarache, who owns and operates Wareham Nurse Midwives said, listing the places expectant mothers have traveled from to get services from the practice. “They want a natural childbirth so they come from all over.”

While midwifery is often painted as a drastic departure from traditional childbirth the term simply means "with woman.” The emphasis is placed on natural childbirth, or unmedicated labor.  There are five types of midwives that differ depending on the education and certification level. Bastarache is a certified nurse-midwife, meaning she has completed graduate-level training in midwifery and has  passed a national certification exam given by the American College of Nurse-Midwives.

A midwife is a health care professional that provides an array of traditional medical examinations that may include medical histories and gynecological examinations, contraceptive counseling, prescriptions, and labor and delivery care. It is the care provided during labor, delivery, and after birth that makes the practice unique. The philosophy of midwifery  focuses on the needs of the individual and family for physical care, emotional, and social support. Bastarache instills this belief through fostering strong relationships with expectant mothers. “It is traditional prenatal care with a personal touch,” she explained.

Bastarache typically begins seeing her patients six-to-eight weeks into the pregnancy. Throughout the gestation she spends quality time with her clients to assess their hopes and concerns about their pregnancy. At the thirty-sixth week, Bastarache and her clients map out birth plan options. The ambiance, such as music, lighting, use of the spa, family members/friends that are to be included for support, as well as newborn care are all discussed in detail and are recorded to ensure the individuals specific needs are met.

“Louise had a way of making me feel as if I were her only patient,” said Leanne Dineen from Marion in a testimony. “When visiting her office, she took the time to listen to concerns, answer questions, and offer support and encouragement. I felt comfortable asking her anything, and not once did I feel she was in a hurry to see her next patient.”

Midwives practice in homes, birth centers, hospitals, private offices, and public clinics. Bastarache has chosen to deliver exclusively at Tobey Hospital. Bastarache is currently the only midwife at Tobey, and although she doesn’t work for the hospital she said the partnership is solid.

“I have a great relationship with Tobey,” explained Bastarache. “It is a great place for me to provide a safe, natural birth.”

For the big day, Bastarache encourages natural childbirth, preferably without I.V.s or other unnecessary interventions. Pain relief is achieved through other methods such as breathing exercises, focal point demonstration, positioning, massage, and use of the spa.

The birthing room is created to make the mother and her family feel as if they were at home. It has all of the comforts of home, but with the added benefits of spa tubs and, if the need arises, physician assistance in a state-of-the-art medical facility.

"In the hospital, I felt like a special guest under Louise's care," said Deborah McDermott of Sagamore in a testimonial. “I was never ‘not allowed’ to do anything in labor and delivery, and Louise was with me, talking softly, encouraging me throughout both of my long labors. She always made sure I was first priority."

After the birth of the baby, Bastarache and the nursing staff at Tobey Hospital work together to help the new mother with everything from breastfeeding assistance to postpartum care.

Wareham Nurse Midwives deliver about 130 newborns a year. Pretty impressive when you learn Bastarache does all the prenatal check-ups and hospital births herself.  For more information on the Wareham Nurse Midwives you can contact Bastarache and her staff at (508) 295-3088.