Refuge Midwifery

I had a homebirth with baby #3 mid 2023. In my husband's exact words, "This was the best birth yet!" We have had not so pleasant experiences in the hospital setting previously so his words are not used lightly. My prenatal AND postpartum care were top notch with Ray and Victoria. I happen to give birth on a weekend that Victoria was off call but the midwife who stood in for her was just as complimentary to our goals for my birth. Our LO had trouble adjusting to the outside world and we did end up going to the NICU for 4 days. The decision was made after close monitoring and back and forth contact with Ray, who was in contact with a pediatrician, about 12 hrs after birth. Ray talked me through what to expect on the way to the hospital and they were a great pillar of support during our stay. I typically have an emotionally rough postpartum with PPD and PPA in the past. Ray and Victoria recommended some herbal support which was life changing and even allowed further follow ups after the typical "end". I truly wish all postpartum care looked like what I recieved this go round. I would recommend this wonderful team to anyone who asks.
Mar 29th, 2024

Ray and Victoria provide excellent midwifery care. I felt safe and supported from initial consultation through my 6 week follow up appointment ( today!). I have not had any other midwifery care, so I can not speak to how they compare to other providers in the area. However, I think their communication systems and style is where they really stand out to me. 1. They are consistently able to communicate research findings in layman's terms as well as, communicate their personal recommendations/interpretations. They provide this information ~separately~ acknowledging the limitations we have in research and highlighting their experiential knowledge. This allowed me to feel informed enough to make my own decisions with their guidance. 2. They are thorough in communication with each other and in their documentation. Visits alternated between them, and yet I never once felt like I was having to catch someone up. They always picked up from where the other left off. 3. They provide a non-judgemental space. The tenants that make them LGBTQIA+ focused and friendly also make them consistently open to however their clients show up, open to clients' worries, disagreements, beliefs, health changes ect. Their communication style somehow allows time and space for you figure out and ask for what you need. 4. Consent. Throughout my labor, I was educated and asked for consent before EVERY decision. My labor included manual manipulation of my cervix, which was very difficult for me. I was provided the opportunity to consent or deny during every contraction that required this manual contact. A very difficult thing did not feel traumatic because of this communication. 5. They communicate their own boundaries/ needs in order to take care of themselves and their other patients. This might not seem as important but I believe this skill is the clearest way to assess the standard of care you are going to receive from a practitioner. As a healthcare provider myself, these skills stand out to me as a hallmark of both evidence-based and person-centered care. Ray and Victoria, Thank YOU!
Feb 13th, 2024

This team of amazing knowledgeable caring local midwives gave me excellent prenatal, birthing, and postpartum care in 2022! It was my first pregnancy so I had a lot of questions & uncertainty & wasnt very familiar with home birth culturally I just felt strongly that I wanted to have access to an informed care model where I was the decision maker over my own body, rather than hospitals insurance policies. Ray and Victoria were down with that, letting me know what was happen to my body, facilitating relevant blood tests, monitoring for risk factors, and also getting to know me and suggesting simple natural or OTC ways to deal with whatever side effect I was dealing with. They reassured me when I approached week 42 and had to get extra ultrasounds, and when I finally went into labor Victoria showed up and helped bring a very healthy baby into the world. The labor was really fast and there was a lot of blood for a few minutes but they knew how to handle it and patch me up. It meant a lot to me to not be hooked up to a bunch of machines and to be able to give birth with dignity and freedom in a place that felt personal and safe. Over the next few days of initial healing and trying to deal with lactation it was great to be able to do that in my own home. They also do a lot of community building so it was helpful to have the support of other new birthing parents in the are and a lactation consultant. Victoria and Ray are the best! Thank you
Feb 3rd, 2024

If youre planning on having a home birth in the Philadelphia area, I cant recommend Ray and Victoria enough. They are the most perfect mix of friend and provider. I knew during my whole pregnancy and birth that they had my best interests in mind, and fully supported whatever decisions I made. We had lots of great conversations prenatally about different decisions we could make, and I always felt comfortable asking lots of questions so we could truly make fully informed decisions.
Jan 28th, 2024

Ray and Victoria are incredible midwives. As a labor nurse myself who has grown tired of the medical model I sought skilled midwives who could help me deliver in the comfort of my home. I was so lucky to find Ray and Victoria who are not only very good at what they do, they are also very GOOD people. The care they gave me during my pregnancy and postpartum meant so much to me and I will always be thankful for them. Refuge is an incredible practice and embodies everything midwifery should be. While I did not get to have my dream homebirth due to complications, I had dream midwifery care. Thank you Ray and Victoria.
Dec 10th, 2023