Office Phone Number: 410-455-9659 • Fax number: 410-455-9658

About Alternative Birth Choices

Quicklinks

Mission Statement and Philosophy

Why ABC is a better choice for you and your family

FAQ About Pregnancy

Insurance Providers

Mission Statement and Philosophy

Alternative Birth Choices’ mission is to provide women with maternity care that reflect their choices for pregnancy and birth.

We believe in non-interventional, spontaneous and gentle birthing. We believe that all women should have midwifery care available to them and the birthing family should have the right to choose their care provider and their place of birth whether it be a midwife or an obstetrician, in hospital or out of hospital.

We view birth as a normal process and when the birthing mother, if given the proper support during labor, it can be done in a spontaneous, gentle, and compassionate manner, with the midwife in attendance to guard and protect her space making sure that the process works for her.

We specialize in custom care, nurturing and prevention – not medical intervention – unless warranted.

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Why ABC is a better choice for you and your family

Birth alternatives that include a midwife have proven to be a reliable and effective way to labor. Midwifery methodology actually creates a reduction in Cesarean Sections, requests for epidural anesthesia, reduction in the need for Forceps or assisted delivery and shorter labors. Another benefit is the lack of reliance on drugs – midwife assisted labor reduces the need for Oxytocin, analgesia and other commonly over-prescribed labor medications.
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This is a big decision - you probably have some questions!
FAQ About Pregnancy

I’m looking for a Doula. Is this the same thing?
Doulas provide wonderful care and counseling during your labor in any setting including home birth, water birth and hospital birth. Doulas training can differ from State to State and you should inquire to their history, education, experience and request a list of contacts of patients they have assisted over the years before making your choice.
ABC provides a Doula for labor as part of our service but also encourage that you find one, are comfortable with that person, and introduce us to them during your pregnancy.
*click here to view our list of Doula’s in the area that we have worked with before.
What is Home Birth?
Choosing to labor and deliver outside of the hospital setting is called Home Birth.
What is Water Birth?
Water Birth is the process of delivering your child in a tub of warm water, either getting out of the water when ready to deliver or delivering the child in the water. Since the child has lived in the amniotic sac for 9 months birthing into a tub of warm water is similar and is regarded both safe and gentle.
What will labor be like for me?
Pregnancy is a wonderful and personal experience. There is no way to know how quickly you will progress through labor, what complications may arise, and what emotions you will go through during the process (unless this is not your first child, some indications can be shown by previous births).
Is Home Birth safe?
Yes. At our initial meeting you will introduced to the various methods we go through to provide care and support during labor in your home.
I don’t know anyone who has ever had a home birth.
During the last 30 years hospital births have become common due to health insurance support and advances in medicine. Many of those services and medicines have turned out to be invasive and unnecessary for labor. Few people have sought out alternative birth choices because of the “all natural”, “hippy” and “weird” stigma’s attached to it in the minds of people not introduced to the concepts. The key is not to worry about why others have not had home births and to ask yourself and your family if it is right for you.
What happens if complications arise?
Complications of various degrees can arise at any time. Some complications can be avoided simply by providing you with the care and services you have requested. Some complications can be anticipated through the study of your family’s health history. Our experienced staff is trained to meet these challenges and make the right decision for the health of you and your child.
I hate hospitals and would rather not go to one?
Hospitals exist to provide emergency and other services and are very necessary for the reason that they staff highly trained professionals who can save lives, provide immediate care for almost any procedure and are open 24 hours a day, every day. The problem that a lot of woman have is that the hospital setting is not the most relaxed, helpful setting during labor which can slow down and even complicate labor. Also, hospital-based methodologies differ from ABC’s in the respect that we at ABC believe prenatal care, labor and birth are joyous occasions that do not fit one particular method and should be catered to the needs of the individual.
What is hypnobirth?
HypnoBirth is a technique that includes guided mediation and relaxation. The process keeps a woman in tune with the inner workings of her body and how the birthing muscles are participating in the birth.
I’m having trouble convincing my husband that this is what we should do.
Many people start out skeptical because they haven’t been introduced to alternatives for hospital births. We recommend participation from your husband or significant other during your initial visit, family planning and counseling meetings. Most people are convinced that our services are great options to consider once they’ve met with our wonderful and experienced staff to ask questions.
What happens if I’m uncomfortable with a home birth and want to have my baby in a hospital?
A home birth is, by far, the most comfortable way to have a birth. That said, this is your labor and we support you in any setting. We have a great working relationship with area hospitals and will respect and assist you with your labor regardless of the location.
What birth classes do you recommend as preparation for a home birth?
We are not affiliated with any birth classes in the area. We list Maryland birth classes upon request, in alphabetical order and without endorsement. Please contact and/or meet with the instructor for further information on if it is right for you.
What books do you recommend?
We add books to our Links Page as we find them. Check there for a list and brief description.
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Insurance Providers

As of 12/01/07 we take the following insurance providers:
  • Aetna
  • Alliance/MDIPA/Opt Choice/Mamsi L&H
  • Americaid/Amerigroup (MA)
  • BC/BS
  • Fed BC/BS
  • Blue Choice
  • Cigna
  • Coventry/Diamond (MA)
  • ElderHealth
  • Fidelity
  • First Health PPO
  • Helix
  • Hopkins: EHP
  • Hopkins: Priority Partners
  • InforMed
  • Maryland Physicians Care (MA)
  • MHIP
  • Medicaid
  • Medicare B
  • Multi Plan
  • NCPPO
  • One Health/Great West
  • Principal Life PPO
  • Private HealthCare Systems
  • Tricare
  • United Health
  • UHC: Americhoice CMO
This list is subject to change without notice - please call and check that your insurance is accepted by us before your first visit.
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