Welcome to The Midwives Childbirth Services
Natural Birth in Northern California
Serving the Counties of Napa, Solano, Sonoma, Contra Costa and Marin

If you are considering a natural birth in Northern California, you probably have many questions.  As one of the most experienced midwife teams in the state, we can help you find the answers.

At The Midwives, we know - when healthy women with low-risk pregnancies are given a calm, peaceful space and encouragement to trust their bodies, they almost always emerge from childbirth more self-assured than ever before.  We love being a part of that empowering experience.

We also know that babies born without the involvement of unnecessary drugs and medical interventions are often healthier, calmer and more connected with mama than those born in a typical hospital environment.  That is part of the beauty of natural childbirth.

At The Midwives we believe in personal choice.  It is one of the most important parts of our commitment to you. We offer a wide range of care options, drawing from multiple methods and traditions. 

You can choose to deliver in one of our two well-appointed birth centers - or at home.

Wherever you choose to receive care, we offer all testing that would be offered by an obstetrician, in addition to the full spectrum of prenatal, childbirth and postpartum care.

For a beautiful "home-birth experience away from home," consider one of our private stand-alone birth centers.

Conveniently located in Napa and Santa Rosa, our birth centers offer the comfort of home and the confidence of a medically equipped facility with highly trained staff.  Visit us at  Birth Center in Santa Rosa or Birth Center in Napa.

Homebirth was a thing long before the first hospital or specialized OB / GYN. In fact, until relatively recently, it was the ONLY thing.

Should you choose a home-birth, our role will be to provide a safe, supportive environment and help you connect with what your body already knows exactly how to do. 

Contact us here to learn more about our support for the sacred process of homebirth.

The vast majority of our clients prefer the soothing nature of a water birth, whether in the specially-designed installed tubs at one of our birth center, or at home using one of our portable tubs.   

Contact us here to learn more about our support for the popular practice of water-birth.

Regardless of the care setting you choose (home-birth, birth center or hospital), you may wish to have specialized physical, spiritual and emotional support. Our experienced doulas will provide you with knowledgeable, compassionate support before, during and after your birth, no matter what care setting you ultimately choose.

Contact us here for more information about doula support.

Prenatal Services

• Lots of talking. Communication is very important!! 
• This is our time to get to know one another and develop a bond that will hopefully last a lifetime.
• Measure maternal / fetal vital signs
• Measuring your baby's growth and position
• Any necessary lab work and ultrasounds

Childbirth Services

• Attendance During Labor and Birth
• Waterbirth Tub Rentals 
• Birth Plan Design
• Placenta Delivery / Cord Clamping
• Repair of Lacerations
• Newborn Medication
• Newborn Exam
• Breastfeeding Assistance
• Newborn and Postpartum Education

Postpartum Services

• Multiple postpartum visits to ensure you are both thriving
• In these visits we check on you and your baby and educate you about breastfeeding, newborn safety and care. 
• We handle the application for baby's birth certificate and social security card

• Breastfeeding Support
• Fertility Counseling
• FREE Pregnancy Yoga

• Well Woman Care
• Placenta Encapsulation
• FREE Birth Course

• Nutrition Counseling
  
• Intrauterine Insemination
• FREE Prenatal Massage

Paula Grady LM, CPM
Senior Midwife | Clinical Director

Ashley Gerhard BS, CD(DONA)
Senior Doula

"I was privileged to have all three of my children with the Midwives! They are an amazing team led by Paula Grady, one of the most encouraging people I have ever met. Her understanding of motherhood as well as her medical expertise is evident in every visit. I highly recommend them ..."

C. Sosa

"This was an amazing experience ... Paula genuinely cares and loved on everyone in my family including our first born. We cannot thank you enough for everything you have done and continue to do for us..."

M. Boubel

"We loved Paula! She helped me breathe through my hardest contractions and avoid having a c section during a tough delivery. We hope to be with her for the birth of our future kids and would recommend her to anyone!"

G. Davidsson

"An amazing group of loving, knowledgeable, skilled women who supported me in having the most peaceful, empowering and magical home birth..."

A. Koford

"I cannot express enough how thankful I was to have such amazing support and knowledge from Paula and the team at both my son’s and daughter’s home birth… We love her so!"

- S. Thoits

"Best midwives and Team ever!!! I would recommend this Team to any expecting mommy!"

- Angela L.

This team is the absolute best you could ask for!  I decided on a home birth for my third baby. I scheduled several interviews for midwives, but I cancelled all of them after I met (Paula)..."

- Lauren A.

"I thank God for finding Paula and her team who did a fantastic job on my childbirth. That was one of the most incredible experiences we ever had..."

- Peter, Luciana, Oliver and Amy

"5 stars isn't enough. Paula and her wonderful, beautiful team brought to me the most wonderful birthing experience I could have prayed or hoped for..."

- Hope D

Napa Valley Birth Center

Main Office
525 Lincoln Ave
Napa, CA 94558

Sonoma Valley Birth Center

Formerly Thrive Birth Center
4859 Old Redwood Hwy
Santa Rosa, CA 95403