I am in the process of choosing a midwife for a home birth and I am wondering if anyone can give me their positive or negative experiences with either Anna Maria Gioacchini of Nascere e Crescere or Valeria at the Birth Center. Send me a private message if you prefer. Important question: Does Anna Maria speak English?

Hi, I am 3 months pregnant and just arrived here in Rome. I met with Anna Maria yesterday and although an Italian-speaking friend came along for that initial visit which helped go through basic health questions, I have decided to go with her even though her English is very limited and so is my Italian. I have heard nothing but fantastic reports about her and after meeting with her have decided to use her. She does have an assistant who speaks English and there is also a gynecologist in the same office who speaks English if you need it.

It's a great, clean clinic and apparently lots of English-speaking mothers-to-be use her so you will meet them in the classes held there. This is my first child and I don't speak Italian and I feel completely safe with my decision so that's where I stand on it.

I hope this helps. K

Thanks for your reply. I have been going to Dr. Naumann so maybe I will just use Anna Maria.

Will Anna Maria be monitoring your entire pregnancy or will you continue going to Dr. Naumann until your due date gets closer? I'm only at 6 weeks so I was thinking I would continue to see Dr. Naumann regularly until I am close to term.

Hello - I'd also recommend Anna Maria. She and Dr. Naumann delivered my first child, and we're planning the same for my second (due in a few weeks). We were really happy with the experience - especially Anna Maria's postnatal home visits and her staying with me throughout labor.

It's true that it might be difficult to communicate with Anna Maria with really limited Italian (didn't know she spoke English at all). Of course, Dr. Naumann speaks English, so having both might work out. Good luck!