I found Refuge Midwifery when I was in the middle of a horrible experience with my OB and feeling very confused and alone. The care that Ray and Victoria provided throughout my pregnancy and birth was amazing and something that I think every birthing person should experience! I am so grateful for these two and the midwifery model of care.
Read MoreWith their support I was able to have my dream birth. It was calm, peaceful, fluid, and affirming.
Read MoreRay was the best! I'd highly recommend her to anyone. Through covid, having any birth was scary, but she eased all that anxiety and was my support through it all.
Read MoreRay and Victoria provided amazing care before and after, and helped me have the birth I had hoped for. It was calm, with my husband and daughter, in our home. A very different experience from the hospital birth of my first!
Read MoreWorking with Ray and Victoria was one of the highlights of my pregnancy and birth experience! The most important thing to me in a health care provider is someone who listens, hears, takes their time, and sees me as a person — all things I have rarely (never, really) experienced with a doctor.
Read MoreDuring our labor Ray was hands off when I needed to labor on my own and hands on when I needed more physical support. When my son needed some extra help getting into the rhythm of breathing Ray calmly helped him as my husband and I held his hands and talked to him. Once he got the hang of it we were holding him again. Had we been in a hospital he would have been whisked away and we would have missed out on those initial moments of skin-to-skin contact. In the past 8 months since working with Ray I have said countless times “Thank goodness we found Ray!” I am forever grateful to her.
Read More“Victoria has a special gift for being matter-of-fact, encouraging, and calming all in the same moment.”
Read More“It’s very different care, I felt that Ray was extraordinarily gentle and made sure that everything was okay.”
Read MorePregnancy and parenting seems to be a never ending series of small and large decisions that need making. Working with Ray was one of the first big decisions we made and it might have been the best one yet. As a queer family and gender non-conforming pregnant person Ray provided us with impeccable care that made us both feel confident, safe, empowered and in control. I looked forward to our prenatal appointments all month long because I knew that those sessions would be spaces to learn about my body and pregnancy, talk about hard and exciting emotional aspects of our experience, and feel deeply connected to my partner and my baby.
Read More”With Ray, she was with me every step of the way with all the issues and questions hat come up after birth. It’s a time where you’re really vulnerable and there’s a lot going on for you emotionally, mentally, physically and having someone with you to be a source of strength and help you see your strength is incredible.”
Read MoreRay is one of the most genuine, caring people I've ever had the pleasure of working with. She truly treated us like we were her only focus. Throughout my pregnancy Ray always had our best interest at heart but was still extremely professional and presented the facts to help us make informed decisions regarding my pregnancy care, labor and birth. She was always there for me and showed real excitement when I called her in the middle of the night in labor. During the birth of our little girl she was incredible at reading my body and my cues and always knew exactly what would comfort me during contractions, her calming voice and touch really made for a peaceful atmosphere. Ray's ability to intuitively read a situation made me feel safe and in good hands, and after our birth, our postpartum care was wonderful with Ray, I really felt a connection with her and know that she loves my baby.
Read MoreI had the opportunity to have Ray care for me during my pregnancy. Ray allowed us to make informed decisions about our pregnancy and out of hospital birth, she was supportive of our decisions and made us confident that we were making the right choices. She holds a wealth of knowledge that she shared during all of our appointments. My pregnancy and child birth experiences have made me feel empowered as a woman and mother. Ray not only supported me throughout my pregnancy but also in the weeks following my births.
I find it hard to express the gratitude we have towards our midwife. She provided my wife and I with peace of mind throughout the pregnancy. During my labor she was hands off allowing my body to do what needed to be done. Ray continues to inspire me as a person.
Read MoreRay is familiar with home birth, birthing center and hospital birth modalities, and helped us advocate for ourselves when our desires were different than the hospital staff’s desires for my delivery. She also was incredibly helpful postpartum in helping me and my early term baby successfully breastfeed. We can’t recommend Ray enough!
Read MoreRay supported us the whole way through. When we first found out that Megan's pregnancy was going to be complicated by preeclampsia, we had to throw out our original plans. Ray stepped in and helped us learn vital information that was absolutely key to getting Megan and I through labor and delivery. When Megan was induced, I tried to be as supportive as I could, but at a certain point Megan needed more support than I could offer as her partner. Thanks to Ray, Megan was able to find her incredible strength, achieve a gentle, joyous, and empowering labor,and delivery without pain medication. Ray supported our needs every step of the way and helped us get exactly what we wanted out of the experience. To sum things up in a ocean metaphor: when trying to navigate the rough seas of pregnancy, labor, delivery, and newborn life, Ray is the captain you want at the helm.
Read MoreIt was so reassuring to know I could text you at any moment with questions or concerns, and that you were there with answers and advice. You will be an absolute gift to whichever community you choose to serve. Best of luck, you awesome lady, and thank you for all that you did to help Dylan arrive in the world.
Read MoreRay was a fantastic care provider throughout our experience, from pre-natal to delivery to postpartum care. She worked with us in a gentle manner that was comforting, caring, professional and knowledgeable. When we had questions or opinions she was open to discussing our options in a way that was not overbearing but realistic and exemplified her experience in the field. I am so happy that she was there throughout the process and would recommend Ray to anyone looking for a natural birth experience.
Read MoreI strongly recommend Ray as an invaluable resource for anyone during maternity and postpartum. I was gifted several postpartum sessions with her at my baby shower. It was the best gift I received. Long after my son has outgrown the clothes and toys, we will both still be benefiting from the thoughtful wisdom and supportive hands that Ray provided.
"As a new mother I had a lot of feelings and questions that I felt silly, guilty or just confused for having in my mind. Many other people had good intentions but made me feel judged or didn't really listen to the details of my situation. Ray never made me feel anything less than capable and I became so much more confident in myself. Her guidance was without any hint of judgement. It was exactly what I needed, when I needed it most.
Read MoreBringing my son into the world under my own roof was one of the best decisions I ever made. My husband and I couldn't be more pleased with the care we received from Ray. It was so empowering to work with a care provider who respected my intuition and wisdom. She made sure that my decisions were informed, she supported me in weighing options, and she was always available to talk through my questions or concerns. When the time came for my little one to enter this world, Ray was by my side, quietly and confidently giving me the space I needed to listen to my body. I was able to be fully present in the birthing of my son because I completely trusted Ray to monitor our safety. Her presence made it easy for me to embrace my womanly power, and I am forever grateful for the beautiful birth of my son. Thank you, Ray, for this priceless gift!
Read MoreI can’t believe 6 weeks is here already and we say see ya later again! Ray, you are amazing. There is absolutely nothing I would have changed about my prenatal care, labor care or my postpartum care. This time together has been so personal and you’ve helped me grow as a parent and person. To be open and honest about my feelings, body and fears with no judgement or worries is so empowering and important. Thank you for always asking for consent & walking me through everything step by step for my comfort. I tell everyone about my awesome Philly Midwife and amazing home births. Peace on earth begins with birth. I’ve healed emotionally so much with both of my incredible, dreamy births. Thanks for catching Joshua & helping me achieve my goal and catching Jonathan! How badass!
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