Rites of Passage

Ami and Nancy are two of the most amazing women we know. We had a wonderful pregnancy and amazing labor and we are convinced that much of that was due to their wisdom, ability to comfort in time of uncertainly (and anxiousness) and pure nurturing loving energy. Their post-​partum care was also so complete — how amazing that a women gets to fully rest in her home after birth! As an aside, my husband and I are both scientists and I in particular, spent a career in healthcare so we had reservations of not birthing in a hospital. For us, the pros outweighed the cons and in hindsight, it was one of the best decisions we’ve made so far in life. We appreciated that aside from the warm and fuzzies, they were scientifically knowledgeable and well trained. I wished every pregnant women could be blessed by these angels.

We simply can’t say enough good things about Ami and Nancy. We had a beautiful home birth at our apartment with them. The advice before and after our birth and postpartum support were truly invaluable. We paid for our midwifery care all out of pocket and while it was a major expense for our family, we wholeheartedly agree that this was one of the best investments we ever made. We felt empowered and supported throughout our transition into parenthood the last year. Ami and Nancy are extremely competent, compassionate, and professional. It was important for us to choose midwives who have a medical background because one of our mothers is an OB/​GYN who was very concerned by our decision to birth at home. Our midwives spoke with my mother in law before the birth and in the end, my partner’s mother attended the birth and it was a really great experience for her as well. We are so glad we decided to have a home birth and to work with Ami and Nancy.

Nancy, Ami and CarleeAnne are an incredible team. We have felt so much love and support throughout our pregnancy and post partum as well. Having our little girl at home was so lovely and and we felt safe, informed and loved by everyone.
You can have an empowering birth!!!

I was very fortunate to have Rites of Passage provide my prenatal and postpartum care, and to have Nancy, Carlee Ann, and assisting midwife, Michelle Welborn, attend my homebirth.
I gave Rites of Passage a call the day after I found out I was pregnant. I knew from my brief conversation with Nancy that Rites of Passage would be the best fit for my husband and me. They suggested we interview with other midwives, but we didn’t. We felt so good about them.
During prenatal care, they were very accessible — phone calls, text messages, emails — always responsive. Appointments took an hour — Nancy and Ami take their time to check in with you, see how you’re doing/​feeling (emotionally, physically, and mentally), answer any questions you have, and then do a physical check-​up to make sure the baby is healthy. Their care is VERY thorough — I can’t think of a more comprehensive care for a nervous, first time mom.
During the birth, Nancy’s, Carlee Ann’s, and Michelle’s presence really helped me get through the tough parts. They cleaned up after the birth, and even cooked my husband and me a meal of scrambled eggs with mushrooms — a perfect protein hit after a 24 hour labor!
The postpartum care is where they really shine, I think. After having a baby, the last thing I want to do is go see a doctor. They visited me at home, several times within a week of my baby’s birth, and then again 2 weeks after she was born. They helped me with breastfeeding (which I’m convinced is harder than labor), checked my baby and me, and again checked in with both me and my husband emotionally and mentally. When I had to go to UCSF for a nasty bout of mastitis, Nancy called UCSF for me, and met me there. Incredible.
Ami also provided some serious support in the breastfeeding arena, especially after my baby decided to go on hunger strike when she turned 2 weeks old. Not fun for a new mama. But Ami gave me a plan and the resources to right the ship and to keep my supply up. Fast forward almost 4 months later, and breastfeeding isn’t a challenge for me anymore.
I’m pretty sure we’re «one and done» but if we decide to have another child, it will be with Rites of Passage’s amazing support!

I can’t say enough about how great Rites of Passages has been through our birth process and the delivery just this last Sunday! Believe in what you have read in the other reviews because they are all true and may not even give them enough credit.
For all of you that are not sure or are even positive that you want to have a birth in a hospital just sit with them for an hour so you can interview them. I guarantee you will learn more than you could ever learn from just your conventional turn and burn healthcare system. They answered all of my questions and even challenged me to stump them which i just couldn’t do!
So… great they know about home births but any midwife or doctor can do that right? Maybe… But are they going to have the compassion and show the love to your child and your family that Ami and Nancy will have? Probably not and if they do you are VERY lucky parents.
Take the time to just speak to them and you will instantly feel the care and passion they have for what they do. There are no immediate plans for more children in our future but if there is Rites of Passage will be the first ones we call!

This review is long long over due and seeing that my little guy is almost a toddler I think its time to write a little something!
I transferred from OB care at CPMG to Rites of Passage at around 4 months into my pregnancy. I was very curious about home birthing before I got pregnant and after several very impersonal and quick (less than 3 minutes seriously) visits to the OB went on the hunt for midwives. Ami and Nancy were the first I spoke to. After my first visit with Nancy I was sold.
Having a baby, especially your first baby, is such an amazing, emotional and spiritual journey for so many of us. I can’t express how grateful I was to find women who honored that and provided prenatal care that made me feel valued, respected and truly cared for. Every meeting I had with them lasted at least an hour long. They made sure I was eating well and gave me a food diary for a week to make sure I was covering all the nutrients I needed. Then they gave me sound advice as to how to add different foods to add whatever I was lacking in. This as opposed to CPMG who had a lab tech call me to tell me my iron levels were low and to buy some SlowFe. It wasn’t till Ami that I learned to also be careful not to take iron supplements with calcium as it hinders absorption.
Nancy and Ami encourage lots of participation from partners. I don’t think my husband would have been as involved or learned as much as he did had I stuck with my original OB. During the last 2 months or so we were put in a prenatal group with 3 other couples with similar due dates. I can’t say enough about how great Nancy and Ami are at leading these group sessions. Each meeting would be at one of the couples homes and we would discuss certain issues like Group B strep, or vitamin K, we’d also talk about other things going on with each other. Having that small community was a real blessing. We all recently went to each others first year birthday parties.
My birth ended up being very fast. We had just moved to the East Bay. My water broke at 130pm. I called the emergency mid-​wife number and Nancy told me what to do and when to call her back. When things started moving quickly for me she and the apprentice, Sasha, made their way over the bridge to my rescue. I was so relieved to see them when they got here. I was lying on the bathroom floor and vividly remember Nancy getting on the floor so that she could be eye-​level with me. She looked me straight in the eyes and asked me how I was doing and I told her «it hurts» and she held my hand and said «I know». After checking me she told me I was ready to push. Nancy and Sasha were AMAZING support. I should mention my husband was there too and totally amazing as well. But having these women there and their encouragement was what really got me through it. My baby was born just before 5pm.
The post-​partum care is another HUGE HUGE HUGE advantage of having a midwife and Nancy and Ami are the greatest support system you can get. Those early days and weeks after are so much easier with their guidance and love. Your last visit with them is at 6 weeks postpartum and you truly feel like you’ve graduated into motherhood. But it gets better because they host weekly new parent group meetings so you can feel like you never have to give them up! I went to these meetings till my baby was around 9 months old (when I felt I was finally ready to wean myself from Nancy and Ami). These groups sessions are invaluable in talking with like-​minded moms and dads about the millions of questions you have during those first months. And in the process you make some great friends.
I can never thank Nancy and Ami enough for empowering me to believe in myself and my body, to trust my instincts and for giving me the care and space I needed to have a birth I will always look back on with pride and gratitude.

Nancy, Ami, and Hanna guided my husband and I into parenthood with such love and installed so much confidence in us that our lives have forever been changed. The care that we received is beyond measure.
I had to have a hospital birth due to high blood pressure. We were astonished how much the hospitals charges were for the care we got. Rites of Passage not only cared for us the whole 9 months but they come for weeks after to check on the whole family. I had full hour long appointments and felt that my concerns were adressed with sincerity. Rites of Passage really encouraged my husband in his participation during the pregnancy and labor which has been such a gift to us. Towards the end of our pregnancy, they established us with people due around the same time. Rites of Passage has been a foundation for a new community of life long friendships for my family. We are so blessed and I am a better woman because of them.
(We also want to praise their billing person. She worked hard and was able to get 60% back to us from our insurance)

Seems awfully strange to review your family’s caretakers on Unilocal.I would never admit that I looked for them on here, but I did. so I thought I would add to the 5 star reviews.
Nancy, Ami, and Kara will always be the most dear people to my family. My birth experience was safe, my desires were respected, and my husband and I knew what was happening every step of the way. Nothing will ever replace the hours and hours we spent with them over the course of my pregnancy. I became an expert on my own body and I think that played a huge role in my confidence to have this baby naturally.
There were three times that we would have been induced or medicated had we been in a hospital setting because of standard procedure. All while keeping mine and the baby’s health in mind, Ami, Nancy, and Kara helped usher my baby into the world in my own house. And, we realize now, some of the most important visits were in the days to come — as they continue visiting for 6 weeks post birth.
These ladies will always be important figures in our lives. Their presence helped me have the birth experience I didn’t know was possible.

I had the privilege of having Nancy & Ami deliver my first baby. I was not the world’s best patient, but they are the best birth team I can imagine!
I work in the health field and came to them with probably a lot more knowledge about obstetrics than is healthy for an expectant mom, but they gracefully & confidently assumed the role of provider for me (thank goodness). At our first visit, I remember Nancy pointing out that my prenatal care to date had been full of holes (including very important blood tests that hadn’t been performed). I felt a sense of relief that someone was paying such close attention; it helped me let go.
I had some sizeable road bumps during pregnancy (preterm labor, followed by 2 months of bedrest, followed by returning to a crazy work schedule at 37 weeks. .. and working fullt time from that point until delivery), and Nancy & Ami were consistently stabilizing and grounding presences. If I’d followed more of their advice, I think the pregnancy would have been much smoother!
When the big day finally came, I was incredibly impressed by their professionalism. My labor was a lot faster than I’d expected, and when they arrived I was ready to push. I remember thinking that if I’d been in the hospital, there would have been 10 people in my room; I’d be answering a lot of random questions & signing forms; and there’d probably be some monitors beeping (my pet peeve). It was such a blessing to have these two cool ladies keeping it all under control in my own bedroom. After I delivered, I was amazed to see how much they’d done during my short labor (in terms of setting up for the baby; safety preparations for after the birth; etc). These two are experienced & skilled, and it shows.
The postpartum care was if anything even more fantastic. They came to see me a ton those first few weeks, and I really needed help. I knew nothing about babies, and may have been the world’s worst breastfeeder. Ami’s knowledge (she is a lactation consultant) and both of their support helped me through a very rough start. I’m happily breastfeeding my now 9 month old, which I know would not have been the case without their help.
They are not earth mamas, but they are both incredibly compassionate and intuitive, in addition to being highly qualified from a medical point of view. My husband jokes that I want to have another baby just so I have an excuse to hang out with them again.

These midwives deserve a million stars. Nancy, Ami, and Kara provided prenatal and postpartum care in addition to delivering my baby at home. They have an amazing sense of respect, compassion, and understanding for people going through the birth experience.
This was our first birth and I can’t rave enough about anything and everything to do with our midwives. They have the technical/​medical know-​how of the best OB’s with a genuine care for the mother and family’s emotional and mental well-​being.
Also, I would have paid all cash if it was necessary, but we ended up getting about 75% reimbursed from insurance… a hospital birth would have been more costly!
My baby is almost 4 months old and I still see them every week because I attend their new mother’s group, which has become a vital part of my routine… and it’s an excellent excuse to hang out with them – yes, these women are *that* wonderful. :)
There are many outstanding reasons why this practice is so busy and popular, and if you’re considering a home birth, Rites of Passage is a wonderful place to start.

Five stars for Nancy
Five stars for Ami
Five stars for Kara
So, *really,* they are deserving of fifteen stars! =)
I am one of many indebted mothers who had a beautiful homebirth thanks to these three amazing women.
(I gave birth in Oct. 2009 and am just now finishing this review!)
Kara attended our birth both as Nancy and Ami’s apprentice and our doula (for which we paid her separately — she is a great doula!) Nancy and Ami are professional, very personable, intellectual and respectful teacher-​learners who have clearly invested their lives into the art and science of midwifery and related women’s health.
They each established a sincere and trusting relationship with my husband and I from the beginning, and provided professional care every step of the way in the homebirth process. For example, they came to our home for our appts., always greeted us with a hug and a kiss –xo-​, checked in on my general well-​being (not just physical), «checked my belly,» gave advice on nutrition, exercise, education/​classes and provided information and resources that we, as expectant first-​time parents, needed and desired.
During the postpartum period, all three came by to examine me and my daughter (as a part of their services). They were never rushed, strongly encouraged me to rest, and compassionately dried my tears when I needed help with breastfeeding.
It was always so nice to see them and I was genuinely sad when we had our final six-​week postpartum visit (so, yes, I was a little «hormonally-​sad» in general but they had become so close to us during such a sacred time).
I truly look forward to re-​connecting with them again if we end up having another child and they are available.
I cannot share enough good things about them individually or about Rites of Passage overall. Fifteen stars!

Rites of Passage Midwifery is an amazing group of women and exactly the people you want to help you bring your child into the world.
I knew from the beginning that I wanted a home birth but my husband wasn’t so sure. After our initial meeting with Nancy and Nile he was won over by their obvious experience and their solid medical background (they are both certified nurse midwifes — important for many insurance companies if you’re trying to have them cover some of the costs.)
We worked with Nancy, Nile and Kara and all three of them were amazing every step of the way — from the prenatal meetings and check-​ups, through the delivery, and into the post-​birth check-​ups.
All three women are incredibly knowledgeable, gave good background information regarding our many options, were incredibly kind and calm, and really made the entire experience amazing.
We had a lengthy labor and I owe so much to Nile & Kara who sat with me through the entire thing. There was a few hours in the middle of the night that I don’t think I would have gotten through if it hadn’t been for Kara’s calm energy and encouragement.
Our son was born in a ‘distressed’ condition which required resuscitation — Nile handled it so amazingly. She was so calm and efficient making sure that I was kept calm and comfortable, keeping me informed while quickly taking care of my boy. It was over in seconds and I was able to hold my little man in my arms right away. I can’t even imagine what this experience would have been like in a hospital.
I am so thankful that I had these ladies at my birth and will definitely call them again in the event that I have #2.
I would be happy to speak with anyone who is considering working with Nancy, Nile or Kara. I can’t speak highly enough of any of them.

We hired Rites of Passage seven months into my pregnancy, which may seem a little late in the game to decide on a homebirth. And due to complications during labor, I ended up delivering in a hospital anyways. But even so, hiring Ami and Nancy was the best decision we made.
The prenatal check ups and postpartum care were our primary motivations for choosing this model of care; its way beyond what I could get at Kaiser. For prenatal check ups, Rites of Passage used a combination of house calls and groups sessions. I liked both formats. House calls were in-​depth and personal; there was no question I couldn’t ask. The group sessions were a smart way to share information and an opportunity to meet other families. Labor and delivery didn’t go according to plan (of course) but Ami and team handled the situation amazingly well — level-​headed, intelligent, encouraging. When it came time for intervention at the hospital, they continued to be totally integral to the delivery (not the very least as medical translators and emotional support). As for postpartum care, Ami and team helped us navigate an absolutely frightening first week. I can’t imagine how that first month would have been without them (And that’s even with loads of family and friends living nearby.) They were invaluable.
My only regret is not hiring Rites of Passage earlier in my pregnancy! If we have a #2, we will definitely use them again.

Simply put: Ami and Nancy are amazing. You could not ask for better women to deliver your baby or to care for you during (and after) your pregnancy. I had interviewed several other midwives and had done quite a bit of research — and I am so incredibly glad I went with Rites of Passage.

For someone who thought she would never have a homebirth just a few years ago, after meeting nancy, michelle and ami, my life has forever changed. Not only did we experience an incredible and nurturing birth of our 2^nd child, but I was empowered with smart and intelligent information each step of the way, through the prenatal and post natal care. Our family’s experience with them was life changing on so many levels, the support, love and care they gave us was invaluable. Under their watchful eye and care, I felt so supported and secure during the entire process.

I can’t speak highly enough of Nancy and Ami. They were amazing prenatally and helped turn my nightmare preecclampsia induction labor in the hospital at 37 weeks into a wonderful experience with their knowledge and support. (Michelle Welborn, who now has her own practice, gets big ups too.) They are that perfect blend of practical, knowledgeable and nurturing. They are big fans of science and hospitals when necessary, which was perfect for us, but I’m sure they can go hippie with the best of them, too.
We still keep in touch and I will love them forever! They will be the second to hear the news after my husband if we have another kid :-)

There are so many great things to say about Nancy and Michelle. They have helped to both support and educate us in all aspects of prenatal and postpartum care with their special brand of calm, nurturing attention. We are forever grateful for their ability to help us to have a natural, beautiful home birth. In turn, we have been able to share some what we’ve learned with others, helping to spread the word about how wonderful home births can be.

Reviewing Rites of Passage and its team — Nancy Myrick, Michelle Welborn and Ami Burnham — is like reviewing your best friends. It’s so hard to be objective. We had a wonderful home birth with Nancy and Michelle, after months spent in prenatal sessions getting to know them. Their care is loving, sensible and well-​informed, and they leave most of the medical decisions up to you. After our daughter was born, Ami literally saved our asses when we were having one lactation challenge after another. The only bad thing about these ladies is that after your baby’s six-​week «birthday,» the midwives stop coming to see you and you have to say goodbye!

Nancy is a wonderful midwife and she attended the birth of our son Kula on November 15^th along with Abigail Reagan. Thanks partly to Nancy, my Fiancée Amy and I were able to be more comfortable and confidant in the birth process and she did a wonderful job giving us support physically and mentally. Having someone you really trust and feel at ease with was crucial to our birth plan and Nancy helped keep us calm and asses all the scenarios in our Labor process.
If you are considering Home Birth or have any questions, Nancy is a wonderful resource and wealth of information on the subject. Before our son’s birth, we attended a great potluck with her former clients who gave us their own personal insights and first hand experiences with Home Birthing which gave us a much better understanding of what we were getting ourselves into and confirming that this was the right path for us.

Nancy Myrick of Rites of Passage was recommended to me by a couple different folks. After interviewing a number of midwives, I had no doubt that Rites of Passage was the right practice for me. Nancy and Ami (Ami Burnham, the other midwife in the practice) are great. Just great. Prenatal was smooth sailing. Any questions I had, they were answered without judgement. And the midwives offered lots of their own books and videos for us to reference as well. A classy practice all around. Knowledgable, skilled, and personable. I definitely recommend!!! Homebirth for sure. Rites of Passage Midwifery for sure. They are pro-​nature without getting to that new-​agey place that puts me off. They are science-​knowledgeable without being all quadratic equation about your birth.