`Ohana Midwifery Service offers personalized and comprehensive homebirth midwifery services. Prenatal exams and education are part of each stage of the pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum period. Prenatal diagnostic testing, waterbirth, lactation counseling, and labor support are other services provided by `Ohana Midwfery Service. Midwife means "with women" and `Ohana means "family".

Valerie Jacques, RN, CPM, NHCM, is an experienced midwife having had a active practice since 1980. As a RN, she has a stong background in maternity care and pediatrics. Valerie is nationaly certified by the North American Registry of Midwives, and also by the State of NH. She has also practiced homebirth midwifery in the states of Colorado and Hawaii. `Ohana Midwifery Service covers central to coastal NH, northeast of Boston, and southern Maine.
Between 1989 and 1995, Valerie was a board member on the NH Midwifery Advisory Committee. She also provides emergency childbirth education to area fire and EMT departments. Valerie has also taught childbirth education since 1975, and has been a La Leche League Leader for several years.

"I believe that there is a very big difference between giving birth to a baby vs being delivered of a baby. It is the intention of `Ohana Midwifery Service to awaken each woman's power from within. Birth is a awesome, natural, intense, and sacred process which is also a 'Life Event'. `Ohana Midwifery Service offers preparation and participation with families to help create a safe, natural, and memorable homebirth experience".

Office hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Some evening visits are available upon request.
Fees are based on a sliding scale according to combined income. $1800.00- $2400.00. Lab work is a separate fee. The family is also responsible for the assistant's fee(usually another midwife) which is a fee of $300.00 paid at the time of the birth.
My policy is "Pay as you Grow". Each famly is responsible for checking with their insurance company regarding benefits for homebirth midwifery. I will provide a schedule of expenses that may be submitted to the insurance company after the birth.