My Philosophy
Paige Barocca, LDEM, CPM
I believe pregnancy, labor, and birth to be intuitive and inherent in all women. When trusted and simply allowed to be, the body will find its own path to birth. If undisturbed, a person can let go and fully embrace the spiritual, emotional, and physical transformation of the birth process. During this intense and raw journey, you deserve to be validated, honored, and empowered.
As a Midwife, my role is to hold space for the mother throughout her own personal experience of this transition. This means that I walk alongside you, providing compassionate care without judgement throughout the prenatal, birth, and postpartum period. I support my clients in making their own informed choices, offering education and recommendations to support their decision making process.
My passion for undisturbed birth is reflected in care that reduces preventable interventions. I respect when there is a real need for technology and appreciate the benefits of scientific advancements during special circumstances. I believe that nature and science may work in harmony to provide the ideal environment to welcome your baby.
I have been involved in the birth community since the birth of my first son in 2012, when I found myself rallying in Annapolis and advocating for better birth options. In 2014 I certified as a birth doula through Birth Arts International (BAI). In 2016 I began working as birth assistant and shortly after enrolled in the National College of Midwifery (NCM) and started my formal apprenticeship with a local home birth midwife. I graduated in 2019, obtaining my Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) credentials, as well as a license to practice in the state of Maryland (LDEM). I have had the honor of supporting hundreds of families during the last 10 years.
I am a member of the Direct Entry Midwifery Advisory Committee, within the Maryland Board of Nursing, and the former president of the Association of Independent Midwives of Maryland. I strive to remain up to date on the latest research, following the most recent updates from ACOG, Evidence Based Birth, and Cochrane Reviews, among others. I am trained in rebozo and aromatherapy for pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. Along with my midwifery equipment, I will bring essential oils, herbs, homeopathic remedies, and the knowledge of various labor coping techniques, pressure points, and massage techniques to your birth space.
My Experience
My Background
Prior to pursuing my career as a midwife, I worked as a registered nurse from 2008-2015, my chosen field being psychiatry. I specialized in supporting those suffering from affective disorders (depression, anxiety, bipolar) and eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia). My experience as a psychiatric nurse has cultivated my ability to assist and comfort clients during their most emotionally vulnerable moments. I have a professional background built around educating, reassuring, and advocating for my clients without judgment.
My vast knowledge and familiarity of relaxation techniques (such as imagery, meditation, mindfulness, visualization, and breathing) are invaluable to the role of a midwife. I have developed a mindfulness-based childbirth class with a focus on these important skills. In my years of practice I have developed therapeutic communication skills that are a crucial asset to the laboring mother and her partner. My advanced understanding of various coping skills has been essential when navigating through any emotional blocks or fears that might come up during pregnancy, labor, or birth. It is vital that a midwife remains grounded and provides a peaceful environment during otherwise exhilarating and emotional times.
My Passion
Midwifery is way more than catching babies. As a midwife, I consider myself strong advocate for parental rights. It is my mission to support families during their most pivotal transitions. My care is rooted in the awareness that you are the expert on your body and your children. I believe in the physiology of birth, and I trust your internal knowing.
From the moment I stepped into a labor and delivery unit in nursing school, something felt off. I was perplexed by the amount of inductions for being “overdue” or surgical births because a body has “failed to progress.” How strange it was to hear of the many babies “too large” for the woman’s pelvic outlet, when true cephalopelvic disproportion occurs in less than 0.5% of pregnancies. The normal gestational period is 37 to 42 weeks, but inductions are routinely scheduled at 39 weeks in low risk pregnancies. The World Health Organization recommends countries not exceed a cesarean rate of 10-15%, yet Maryland had a rate of 34 % in 2022. What are we doing wrong?
Our medical system is failing us. Maternity care is not evidence-based or family-centered. We have lost trust in our bodies. We have lost track of our intuition. Women, their families, and their providers are being taught to fear and control birth. As a culture, we rely on physicians trained in medicine and surgery to tell us what we will feel, how we will birth, and when our bodies will no longer be useful. What does that mindset do for the our future generations?
My Reason
Midwifery is the answer to the maternal health crisis. It is my calling to work with families as a guide and advocate during their personal entrance into parenthood. An empowering birth experience paves the path to empowered families and resilient communities. My own birth experiences have only deepened my commitment to supporting my clients though any obstacles that they may face along the way.
As a woman and a mother of three, I share a special connection with those on the threshold of this amazing role. I make it my priority to support and encourage each client’s independent birth and parenting choices, without judgment. As a professional midwife, I will stand by my clients during the entire process, respecting the individuality and sanctity of childbirth.
