"If words could describe Umaimah, I would call her

"The gift of Quiet Presence" 💚

As fluid as she was in providing me with whatever it was I needed, she created space for me to unveil like a beautiful work of art at a private art ceremony; thus, I was the one witnessing myself as a Masterpiece for the very first time! Umi knew my power all along and helped me come to it with her unconditional love and support throughout my pregnancy and birth. There were times where I needed reassurance and her words were "let go." When I finally did, I could feel every inch of my body/mind surrendering to everything I deserved; me in my own home, being supported by a selfless, loving source of ancient wisdom to receive my own baby from my body, with space to touch, cry, and breathe as two beings for the first time 💚

Past traumas were also healed, especially from my first birthing experience that ended in a traumatic cesarean section. I give thanks for my gentle homebirth/VBAC experience that allowed me to see another side of birth where it was sacred, undisturbed and revered in all ways! Thank you Umaimah."

"My husband and I had the great honor of working with Umaimah in the fall/winter of 2013/2014. As a new mom, who stressed about every decision through the uncharted waters of impending parenthood, choosing a home birth midwife was a big decision. It was clear to me after 2 months in the regular prenatal medical model, that I wanted more freedom of choice and individuality in my prenatal care and birth experience. Choosing the midwife who would be there to walk with me, through that experience was obviously no small decision. I researched, waffled and stressed it over for weeks.

A good mom friend of mine suggested I choose the midwife who would be the same person when the contractions were coming hard and fast, and I was in the 20th hour, as they were everyday. Someone who's presence is a calm constant source experience, strength, and light, someone who knew their midwifery. I knew in that moment Umaimah was for me.

From the beginning of my prenatal care, through my 17.5 hour labour she was that, calm constant source of light and strength. She brought ONLY love, support, guidance, information, and kindness to the table. She shared the education/information about the decisions I needed to make in my prenatal care and empowered me to educate myself, and play a role in my birth experience.

Through out my labor, which as a first time mom, was uncharted and began at 530am with my water breaking, she was a great coach, and helped me ride the rapids without getting thrown off the boat, and she was an incredible source of light helping me to focus on the moment I was in, when the finish line seemed unfathomable. With my water breaking first, and my sons head therefore bearing down on my cervix without that watery cushion, my cervix did get a little swollen so fully dialating took some doing, which was met by Umaimah with that same calm solution oriented presentness. I always felt safe, and supported. We ran that 17.5 hour marathon together.

My son was born at home on the couch at 1030pm and was placed on my chest. I didn't tear (3.5 hours of pushing is natures gift to lady parts), my husband cut the umbilical cord, Umaimah cleaned up my son while he lay on my chest, we birthed the placenta, Umaimah held my son while my husband helped me take a shower (17.5 hours makes for sweaty work), she checked me diligently to make sure I was doing well, and then we all gathered in my kitchen to give him his first bath. Umaimah left my house around 1:30am, after tidying up, and making sure I'd eaten, I was so very well taken care of!

I found out later, another one of her clients had gone into labour while i was labouring, she went home napped and then birthed another baby the next day! And her post natal care and availability for questions and concerns was so helpful, and also not even available in any conventional model of care i could find.

My experience working with Umaimah showed me that Midwifery is her calling, and she's gifted at it. It was an honor working with her, and I hope life affords me the great fortune of a second child so I can work with her again."

"As a doula, I've worked with nearly all of the homebirth midwives in NYC and it's an absolute pleasure to work with Umaimah. She brings not only a tremendous amount of training and experience to her midwifery care, but also a deeply calming presence and the patience and kindness you want and need in birth. Umaimah offers true whole woman (whole family) care with careful attention to the medical and physical but equal attention to the emotional and mental. She's a rare find and I highly recommend her!"

"From the moment I met Umaimah her compassionate and gentle spirit resonated deep within me. During my pregnancy I felt cared for and well informed. Most importantly, Umaimah allowed me to be an active participant in my own care, and encouraged continuous knowledge of self while traversing my path. Even though the birth that Umaimah assisted me with was my fifth, it proved to be the most challenging, but her presence, guidance and support carried me through. If you are looking for a skilled, knowledgable, and spiritually atuned midwife, I highly recommend seeking the assistance of Umaimah Mahmud-Thiam to walk with you on your journey.❤"

I found Umaimah Mahmud-Thiam in the most auspicious google search. I had called a number of midwifes from a list and none seemed right for me. After working down the list and feeling a little disheartened, I saw a photo of a woman who felt like me. She was warm and open when I spoke to her on the phone, she answered all of my questions without making me feel ignorant, and when we met in person she felt like a long lost sister. This was one of the most important elements for me in choosing a care provider — someone who would be sharing this journey with me and my family, not an imposing external influence that might rock me off of my center and color the course of my pregnancy and subsequent labor/birth in a way I would be uncomfortable with.

The first thing Umaimah said to me at our first visit is that she was here to guide me through the process, and to make sure I was informed and could make the best decisions for myself and family. I never once felt pressured to do anything I was uncomfortable with, or that she was pushing me towards any particular “brand” of medicine. I found her wealth of knowledge hugely beneficial in learning about the nutritional needs of my body during the pregnancy, and her overall demeanor of sincere and humble service was what enabled me to stay so calm during my two pregnancies.

It was not a question in my mind that for our second child she would be our midwife, and for the next ones as well. Umaimah is truly a godsend, doing the most important work in our society. I would recommend her to anyone seeking to have a home birth because she is the embodiment of all of the reasons you would choose to give birth at home. She is a midwife of the top order."