Midwifery Care

Please click here for the latest policies on visiting the Childbirth Center and Ob-Gyn & Midwifery practices.

Cooley Dickinson was designated a "Best Maternity Hospital 2022" by Newsweek Magazine & Statista.
Cooley Dickinson was designated a “Best Maternity Hospital 2022” by Newsweek Magazine & Statista.
Expert Knowledge. A Life-time of Support, Through pregnancy, childbirth and beyond.
Pregnancy Care Your Way

As part of our philosophy of building healthy relationships and providing options in childbirth, you have the choice of seeing certified nurse midwives or physicians for your care. At your first prenatal appointment, you will be asked to select which group you would like to see throughout your pregnancy. While you may meet only one group during your pregnancy, each and every member of our team is involved in your care. We work collaboratively to ensure your safety and satisfaction as you prepare for the birth of your baby.

Our staff of registered nurses and office professionals is available by phone every weekday between 8 AM and 5 PM to speak with you if you have questions or a problem that cannot wait until your next office visit. At all other times, providers are on call to address urgent matters.

Certified Nurse Midwives at Cooley Dickinson Medical Group ObGyn & Midwifery provide expert care and support throughout a patient’s reproductive life span from teen years through post-menopause. Midwives partner with pregnant people and their families to promote optimal health in pregnancy and childbirth, with a focus on personalized care, education and informed choice.

Our team of midwives provides prenatal care in the yellow house on the campus of Cooley Dickinson Hospital. They also offer select hours at our Amherst and Cooley Dickinson Hospital locations. All deliveries are performed at the Childbirth Center at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team of health care professionals.

“It’s one thing to be the nurse working alongside the doctors and midwives. But it was a whole new experience being the patient! Audrey is one healthy baby because of all your help – we can’t thank you enough.”

-Sarah Lambert Hurley, RN, Cooley Dickinson Childbirth Center (on her experience with the birth of baby Audrey born at the Childbirth Center, May, 2016).


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CARE TEAM: MEET THE MIDWIVES

Rachel Marino, CNM
Director of Midwifery Services

“I became a midwife because I believe that having a positive childbirth experience is powerful. The memory of birth can inform a woman’s sense of confidence and self-worth for a lifetime. I always strive in my work to allow women to make informed choices that will provide them with an empowering birth and health care experience.”

Catherine Boshe, CNM

“I am happy to be back in the Northampton area, providing compassionate and individualized midwifery care. Whether it’s a routine exam or the birth of your child, I am committed to making each encounter a satisfying and rewarding experience.”

Amy Richane, CNM

“I was a patient advocate for domestic violence survivors when I first felt the calling to be a midwife; listening to women and trusting their decisions remains the cornerstone of my practice. It is my honor to help women feel healthy and empowered throughout the reproductive lifespan.”

Ellen Putnam, CNM

“I am passionate about providing OB/GYN care for women and families. I feel privileged to be able to help women make informed choices about their pregnancies and gynecological health and well-being.”

Amy Walker, CNM

“As a midwife, I am passionate about providing empathetic evidence based care to all women and families. I feel honored to be a part of some of life’s most intimate moments and always strive to listen to my patients’ wishes, fears and needs.”

Anacelis Flecha, CNM

“I strongly believe in partnering with women and their families to deliver safe, evidenced-based, and individualized care. By doing so, I will develop relationships with women throughout their life. It is an honor and a privilege to be with women at all different stages of their life. My goal is to provide women with evidenced-based information and empower them so that they can make an informed decision about their health.”

Tara Starling, CNM, MSN

“I am committed to bringing optimal health and wellness into care of patients throughout their lifetimes. I am dedicated to holding and honoring the sacred space of birth, acknowledging that this is often different for each patient. I believe in reproductive justice and healthcare equity, and work to provide access to care for all members of our community.”

New Beginnings

New Beginnings is a program to promote education and support for pregnant and postpartum women in recovery from opioid use. Here at Cooley Dickinson Medical Group ObGyn & Midwifery, we want to partner with you to improve health outcomes for you and your baby.

Topics will include the following and more:

•Discomforts of pregnancy & comfort measures
•Stress management & relapse prevention
•Nutrition during pregnancy
•Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (neonatal withdrawal) – expectations, scoring system, and how to soothe a baby with withdrawal symptoms
•Labor & birth
•Postpartum planning
•What to expect from Social Work/DCF
•Breastfeeding and newborn care

To learn more about New Beginnings, visit the program’s event page.

Cooley Dickinson Medical Group ObGyn & Midwifery

For more information or to make an appointment, call 413-586-9866.

For information on the Childbirth Center at Cooley Dickinson Hospital or to arrange to take a tour, visit the Childbirth Center page here:

Cooley Dickinson Childbirth Center

Childbirth Center


For more information or to register for birthing classes and other pre- and post-natal parenting groups, please email us and include your phone number, or click the link below:

Childbirth Classes


To learn about Cooley Dickinson’s breastfeeding support options, call 413- 582-2096 to speak with a lactation specialist, or click the link below:

Cooley Dickinson Breastfeeding Support

Breastfeeding Support


Being a new parent isn’t easy, and it’s okay if you’re not an expert in everything on day one. Click on the link below to learn about Cooley Dickinson’s free parenting support groups or please email us and include your phone number.

Cooley Dickinson Parenting Group

Parenting Education