Testimonials
Where to start when describing our birth experience with Val, Rose and Christine....all we can really say is thank you for everything. Our only regret, and wonderful good fortune at the same time, was that we met them at 7 months into my pregnancy rather than at the very beginning. Making the choice to switch from the hospital to CFBR was an easy decision and I recommend it to everyone. I never doubted that even if something had gone differently than we planned, we were in good hands, and I think having that confidence and trust made all the difference. Also, from the very start we were regarded and respected as a family - Chris was included in all of the conversations and decisions and was able to feel like an important part of the experience, which meant a lot to both of us. Perhaps the one thing I appreciated the most, however; was the post-partum care of both Aubrey and myself. The midwives became mothers and friends at a time when we needed them most, and we are grateful for such a wonderful place so close to home.
-Erica, Chris and Aubrey
After having my first son in a hospital, I wanted a more relaxed experience without all the medical interventions I experienced the first time. The midwives at Coastal Family Birth Retreat helped me to experience pregnancy as a natural and beautiful time in life and not a disease. They were there for me through everything, even when my second son was born a week early at almost three in the morning! I know we’ll be returning to CFBR for any other children we have and I always recommend it to anyone I know who’s pregnant. Thank you to CFBR and its midwives for being so supportive and nurturing!
– Beth, Jon, Owen and Wes
From the moment my husband and I first met with Val we felt cared for and important--not just another fifteen minute appointment in a doctor's busy day. Throughout the whole process (prenatal, labor and delivery, and postpartum visits) my husband and I felt empowered to make our own, informed decisions. My husband loved the fact that he was included in every aspect of the pregnancy, not ignored and forgotten. We were treated as a family--something we had not experienced at the doctor we saw prior to going to the Costal Family Birth Center.
The care that Valerie and the other midwives provide is so personal, so individualized. This became most evident to me when we arrived at the CFBR at 2 am the morning our daughter, Sophia was born. Valerie greeted me at the top of the stairs and held me in a big hug through a strong contraction, her hug and positive affirmations reassured and completely relaxed me: I knew everything was going to be OK.
The whole process was amazing and filled with memories my husband and I will treasure forever. We will certainly return when it comes time for Baby Canney #2.
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Sarah Canney
I have given birth to four children and had a variety of experiences. My forth was born at the Coastal 
Family Birth Retreat. This birth was just beautiful and amazing. Ok, there is always the point in the birthing process were you feel split apart and get the feeling your inside turns out, but strangely I can't hardly remember it this time. What I remember about giving birth is that I enjoyed the undivided attention of Valerie, Chrissie and Roseanne, the nice and big bathtub and the careful looks of my husband. I felt totally save and relaxed, more like a goddess than a human. My son Finnian could be peacefully born on his own time and way. I am convinced that this peace carried over in his personality. He still has a totally nice and laid back attitude even if he is now surrounded by chaos, 2 brother and sister.
Richard and I are both thankful to the midwives for making this experience possible. We are totally convinced of their medical knowledge and professionalism - no question of ours got away unanswered, all issues were addressed. The atmosphere of the place reflects the loving care of the woman who created it. After all this, we can't stop recommending the birth retreat and its birthing team to every “pregnant” family and wished we could have welcomed all of our four kids at 13 Frying Pan Lane. Thanks sooooo much.
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Bettina
My husband and I could not have imagined a more comfortable, safe and magical environment in which to have our baby. The 
midwives at CBFR were amazingly
supportive every step of the way. I felt informed, listened to, and cared about since my first visit. I wanted to experience birth
outside of a hospital setting and was lucky enough to find CFBR after moving to NH from Boston. I looked forward to each visit and
felt empowered each time. The midwives have created a close to perfect setting where a woman and her loved ones are incorporated into her pregnancy and birth.
Words can not express how grateful my family and I are for the care and attention we received at CFBR throughout our pregnancy and birth.
I have recommended CFBR to many others in hopes of promoting this wonderful place and the incredible midwives. I look forward to experiencing
another pregnancy with the family at CFBR.
- Maggie, Neil and Vaughn
Coastal Family Birth Retreat is a place that we will never forget and always feel welcomed. Val and Rose assisted us with the birth we always wanted and encouraged us when we
thought it would be impossible. We wish that we could stand out in front of hospitals with our son and hold a sign HE WAS BORN AT THE COASTAL FAMILY BIRTH RETREAT.
Thank you Val and Rose for the support and encouragement through it all.
- Sarah M.
"Our experience at the Coastal Family Birth Retreat was incredible. We knew after our first visit that the birth center was for us.
The house is really beautiful and the setting is so relaxing. Val and Rose spent at least an hour with us at each prenatal visit and went above and beyond my expectations for
helping us prepare for the birth. I think it was that empowerment that helped me have a beautiful birth experience. I actually felt more relaxed when we arrived at the birth
center during the beginning of active labor, and then Elias was born about 3 hours later! Val and Rose helped me harness the strength I knew I had throughout labor and
delivery and were extremely helpful through the days and weeks after. The natural feeling of the whole experience was amazing and we definitely plan to have future children
at the birth center. I recommend the Coastal Family Birth Retreat to any woman who wants excellent care and believes in their natural ability to give birth "
- Elisa
"Having a baby was the single most complicated, wonderful and life changing event I have ever experienced. As a single mom, the unknowns of pregnancy seemed even more daunting and I faced much more intricate decisions than I imagined I would have, had I been married. Thankfully, I stumbled across Coastal Family Birth Retreat, and suddenly my team of one was transformed into a team of three.
Valerie and Rose provided much more than conventional health care. I had already explored the options of home birth and hospital birth, OBGYN’s and midwives and was sure that I wanted to have a midwife attended homebirth, but I had no idea the extent of comprehensive care I was about to receive.
Val and Rose’s many years of experience and credentials made me feel comfortable with them from the start, however it was during our appointments over the following weeks that our relationship grew and allowed me to open up and trust these two women with the physical, emotional, and mental health of my baby and I. While working with Val and Rose, I felt as though they spent each minute of our time carefully balancing the education they were giving me with the time they spent learning about me as a person and tending to my individual needs, such as collaborating with my cardiologist or counseling me through family dilemmas. Never once did I feel as though they held the keys to information about my body and baby which they carefully kept locked up in some file. With each decision that needed to be made, I felt fully prepared, organized and educated because of the manner in which Rose and Val had presented it. I was always offered more time if I needed to think about something longer, never feeling pressur ed to make even the smallest decision- which at the time can seem very big. I also felt very safe and comfortable with the conservative nature in which they operate; knowing that if I ever needed them to, Val and Rose would make the best and safest decisions for my baby and I.
Val and Rose have a knack for presenting information in a way that is unbiased which allows you to truly make your own choice according to what you feel is best for your situation. It is because of all these things, I believe, that my unique
birth experience is exactly what I would define as successful. I look back on that time with such fondness, love, and warmth, grateful to have been through the birthing experience with two wonderful friends who gracefully led me through each transition of pregnancy and labor.
I dare to say that I truly miss being pregnant, I miss our visits (appointments) and feel so blessed that I can look back on the whole experience and marvel at how beautiful it was. I look forward to working with Val and Rose again in the future- just not too soon!"
- Elissa and Micah
"A natural childbirth was very important to us and we wanted to have our baby in a relaxing environment where we did not feel pressured or rushed.
Val and Rose took the time to get to know us and kept us informed during every visit and decision we we needed to make. It is a refreshing and empowering feeling to
have everything explained to you and to learn so much about the pregnancy and baby throughout the 9 months instead of being rushed in and out of an office once a month.
Although we were given great flexibilty in our own choices, it was also very comforting to know we were being guided by highly trained professionals with a wealth of
experience in birthing. The Coastal Family Birth Retreat was the perfect location to have our baby and allowed us to have the birth experience we wanted."
- Heather, Marc & Ava