We've only just begun to place just a few of our letters and pics here on this page that we have received. Many of our birth parents have been sending letters on a regular basis over the years, especially during the holidays. Here they are now as a testimony to Anne's work, her kindness, sensitivity and caring during the time she has spent with those who consider her a friend and important part of their family.

And, now, on to the Letters!

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Dear Anne,
Oh, how I wish I would have met you sooner than the day before I went into labor! I'm so grateful that you were willing to take me on as a client. Because I had such a positive birth experience with you, and only knew you less than 24 hours, I wanted to share my story. The more I've thought about it, the more I realize that my decision to have a homebirth could be described as instinctual. For all nine months of my pregnancy, I was preparing to have a hospital birth.

This being my first child, I feared the unknown. But one doctor visit after another, I had this stirring uneasiness. I finally broke down, not clearly knowing why I was so upset, when my doctor told me to choose the date that I would like to be induced. Since this was my first child, she assured me that I would go beyond my due date and would need to be induced. I clearly remember her saying, "The hospital is like a busy restaurant. You have to get your name on the list." That night I cried for hours. And it finally occurred to me that my tears were telling me that I really believed my body was built to have a baby.

This was what God intended and no drugs or artificial stimulation should be involved. I wanted to have a natural childbirth, but I feared the hospitals basically wouldn't allow it! Only three days before I contacted you, Anne, I started researching other alternatives for giving birth. I was so naïve, I actually first thought that maybe I just needed a different doctor! But as I researched, this layering effect of information started to build and I started to put the pieces of the puzzle together. After watching the documentary,

The Business of Being Born, I realized that I was 'talking to the wrong people'! The doctors were not interested in my desire to have a natural childbirth. Here is the data from my research that compelled me to find you and call you: . 95% of women giving birth in the hospital get an epidural . Nearly 65% of births end up in a C-section. The hospital I was headed for had a 50% C-section rate. . Doctors prefer C-sections because they're quick and they guarantee an easy delivery for a healthy baby and mom. They're also more expensive. . Epidurals are so common because who is easier for the nurses to deal with? a) A woman moaning and laboring loudly for 12 hours or longer; or b) A woman quiet and smiling, strapped to the hospital bed numb from the waist down . Hospitals require you to wear a fetal monitor which limits your ability to move around. Common sense and a little research will show that a woman in labor needs to move around, to perhaps squat during delivery and use gravity rather than lie flat on her back in a bed. . Hospitals want to fill those beds, in and out as quickly as they can. If you "fail to progress" as they call it, then off you go for an unnecessary C-section.

Knowing this, how could I expect to go into the hospital and expect a different outcome? Just writing this brings up those tense feelings I have about what my experience might have been like if I hadn't decided to have a homebirth. With my 8 pound 6 ounce baby, I could have easily been one of those women who is told, "Your baby is too big for you, you need a C-section." I just felt compelled to find an alternative, and a homebirth was the most logical choice. My husband supported my decision to find a midwife saying he first wanted all of the "what ifs" answered.

After meeting with you and Coley, we both felt like a huge weight had been lifted off our backs. You put our minds at ease. You were so easy to talk to, and you were so articulate in describing your services and what we could expect. After leaving your office, I felt a peace that we had made the right decision. In fact, I believe I relaxed after meeting you, knowing I wasn't headed for the hospital. Only four days before our visit my doctor had informed me that my uterus was hard and the baby was high and tight, nowhere near coming down. After our visit with you, I think the sense of peace you gave me sent the same message to my body and I went into labor the next morning, which happened to be on my due date!

And what can I say, my birth experience was absolutely amazing. It was not easy by any means, but I clearly remember at the pushing stage of labor, I thought to myself, "I'm so thankful that I'm not going to hear a doctor say 'Let's get the forceps and help your baby out.' Or 'Let's get the vacuum to help get this baby out.'" I deep down believed labor and birth were a natural process and that it was something my body was meant to do. And that's exactly how it went when I delivered my little girl. My birth experience was also such a bonding event with my husband. He experienced every contraction with me as we tried various positions and he coached me through the wave of contractions. Being at home allowed him to be so involved. In fact, it involved my whole family in the most beautiful way.

Rather than being limited on the number of visitors, my mom, dad, and sister were all able to witness and take part in the most beautiful arrival of my daughter. The patience and caring support throughout my experience that you and Coley showed will never be forgotten. You both were there to guide me through it, but you also let me experience it. You were the answer to my prayers. Although I believe there's a time and place when hospitals are needed, I now clearly understand that instinctual feeling I had to give birth on my own.in a comfortable and familiar environment, and surrounded by the support of not only my loved ones, but also of an experienced, reassuring and extremely caring midwife.

Thank you for what you do. It's obvious that it's a passion for both you and Coley. I wish more women felt compelled as I did to give their babies the best start in life with a safe and natural homebirth.
 

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Anne,
After 4 hospital births and 1 wonderful midwife assisted homebirth, I was afraid I could never find another midwife as wonderful as the one I had had before. Thankfully I was wrong. I felt sure I wanted to use Anne from consultation appointment and never regretted it. She was always sweet, encouraging and definitely knowledgable. I believe that her experience and exptertise prevented a possible posterior birth and/or c-section. When the baby was in a position that had a high likelyhood of causing a posterior birth she sent me to the chiropractor. Sceptically, I went, figuring that it couldn't hurt and might avoid some difficulties. Sure enough, on my way home from the visit, I felt the baby turn to the correct side. It took about a week for the baby to turn back and each time I went back to the chiropractor the same results followed as well as no more round ligament pains. That was a relief. Then, during labor she sensed that the baby might be having trouble entering the birth canal, and felt my back. She felt a lump on my back, waited until the next contraction to gently encourage the baby down with her hand on my back, and next contraction our baby was born. Anne's assistant, Coley, is knowledgeable and experienced beyond her years, which is a testimony not only about Coley but also Anne's training. Coley was able to answer many questions to my satisfaction and is also a gifted at midwifery. Even after moving to another state, Anne has been kind and helpful with a recent situation that I asked her opinion about. She is the one person who had the answers that made the most sense. I just can't say enough to express my appreciation and respect for Anne and Coley.

 

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Dear Anne,
Monday, July 14, 2008
I want to thank you again for giving me this chance.  Ian's birth has been a defining moment in my life, and I couldn't have done it without your guidance and support.  The care I received through my pregnancy and birth has been absolutely superior, and I can't imagine wanting to do it any other way.

I have included here two journal entries.  The first I made before Ian was born, and the second was composed after.  They are for you to share with anyone who could benefit from an understanding of my perspective.

Tuesday, July 8th
The waiting is the hardest part.  On the one hand, I know that my mom's first pregnancy ran two weeks and two days overdue.  But I'll reach that mark today, and I've started to question the accuracy of my date.  It wouldn't be so bad if the people around me weren't getting so antsy about it.  If I get another call from another eager relative, I may just start screening my calls.  I can understand my midwife's unease, as indicated by the perinatologist referral, but the results of the ultrasound and non-stress test were encouraging.  We've got all the fluid and all the responsiveness we could want.  It's just not time yet.  By their measurements, I don't even appear overdue.  But I can feel the time approaching.

The B-hicks continue to do their work, and the baby continues to drop lower, even without much cervical effacement.  There's plenty of progress to be shown.  Mom says that she never had any real warning that "tonight's the night", despite being so far overdue every time.  In retrospect she can point to a single true contraction before she went to bed the night before her first was born, but at the time she had dismissed it as a fluke.  I know that I haven't had even a fluke "real" contraction yet, although I had a B-hick last night that caused a nerve to fire a warning shot down my right leg.  First time that's happened, anyhow.

And the baby keeps kicking, reminding me that he's not too happy about the situation himself.  I can't help fretting that there's something going on in my head that keeps me from going into labor.  The whole grandma-in-the-nest concept, while logical, still doesn't sit right with me.  A woman can't go dangerously overdue just because her mom came to stay, right?  I could see a delay of a few days perhaps.  But having her here to talk to, and to be able to ask questions about her experience as they come up has been too valuable to my peace of mind.  There are some things you can't communicate over the phone.  Nature bides her time, but when the time is chosen she waits for nobody.

My husband was very kind and supportive this weekend.  I hadn't expected him to take two days off of work just to tend to my needs.  Monday's outing was relaxing and restoring; it was good for both of us.  I hope that I go into labor by Friday, and spare us more anxiety and the expense of another non-stress test.  I find the name for that test somewhat ironic, since I find the whole situation decidedly stressful.  How can a doctor's appointment be any less disruptive than anything else?

And it's been stressful this past week, with the water heater going out, the dog running away, and now discovering that the air conditioning was installed impropperly.  Enough to drive anyone to distraction.  At least I can point to little accomplishments and feel like progress has been made.  The shades are hung in the front rooms, the garden is producing fresh vegetables, and we're keeping up with the dishes.  I have a list of errands to keep us moving around today and take my mind off of worrying.

When I was going to school, I made a point of never actually counting how many more units I needed to graduate.  It made my father crazy when he would ask and receive such imprecise answers as "probably not this year", or "all the third-year classes are complete", or "just a few more on the art degree, but the math degree is done".  But I knew that pining for the end would distract me from the business of finishing.  The watched pot never boils.  Graduation day came just the same.  With pregnancy it seems that there is so much focus on the due date that one can't enjoy these last few days in quiet contemplation.  Even so, today I feel a yearning to hold my new baby in my arms.  I could cry not to know how long it will be, and to fret that something will go wrong and take it from me.  It would be better to keep focused on maintaining the pregnancy, and leave all else out of my mind.  I've learned not to allow myself to get too excited about anything, especially something as life-changing as this.

And I believe in what I'm trying to do here.  Ending my first pregnancy with a c-section was a mistake.  I know that now.  Even though everything worked out well enough, I left myself with fewer options for the future when I took my doctor's advice so blindly.  It would be easy to beat myself up over it now, as that one decision continues to haunt me at every office visit.  Why didn't I talk to my mother back then, when she could have assured me that 40 weeks was no time to bail?

But it's water under the bridge.  I can only decide what I want this time around, and do my best to make it happen.  Back then I had no opinion on the matter, but now I've taken the time to examine every option and form a plan that fits my values.  I believe in the importance of birthing at home both for myself and for my society.  My reasons run deeper than personal economics or romanticism.  I feel that a return to traditional midwifery would be a healthy change for the nation, not just for the socioeconomic benefits, but also to restore our faith in the natural order and lead people to a more intuitive understanding of life.  Some may choose to dress it in religious doctrine, and that's fine by me.  I view it plainly as a need to take more responsibility for our own bodies, and not push it upon the medical establishment to make a generic system for something that could be better handled on an individual level.  Your body is always giving you feedback—why does it seem nobody will listen unless it comes from the mouth of a Ph.D.?  How could a doctor know what your body only tells to you?

I've often said that it would be insanity to watch your dog, cat, horse, or whatever other domesticated animal for the first signs of labor and then rush them to the veterinary hospital.  Sounds like a  good way to disrupt labor, interfere with bonding and nursing, or have them die of stress.  The experienced caretaker knows that when an animal goes into labor, the first and most important rule is not to interfere in any way unless it is absolutely necessary.  Are humans so different?  Why have we been trained to, at the moment labor begins, run to a place that most people are otherwise deeply terrified to approach?  We try to trump up our superior intelligence and ability to reason as protections against the shock of the systematic relocation ritual, but our brain capacity does not save us from natural responses like confusion and fear, or dull our emotions at this most extreme time of vulnerability.

This time, I want to labor and deliver at home, under the watch of an understanding, respectful, and knowledgeable attendant.  The nurse rotations and brief doctor flybys that one endures in the hospital do not ensure quality of care, and are inadequate to relieve the anxiety that is artificially created as one is unceremoniously processed through the medical bureaucracy.  And for what?  No gain in general outcomes and a lot of extra expense, hassle, and risk.

Now I only wonder if my body will cooperate.  After so much abdominal surgery, is the natural apparatus still functional?  With my mind so cluttered by uncertainty, will I be able to focus?  Am I to be the advocate without experience?  I would be a hypocrite if I didn't stick through to the end and give it my best effort.  Even if it all ends in another surgery, having a midwife has been such a blessing through this pregnancy.  Things that, the first time around, my doctors told me were just part of pregnancy (like morning sickness, fatigue, heartburn, constipation), and must be endured or drugged away, turned out this time around to be entirely manageable by simple adjustments of diet and lifestyle.  And if I need to talk something through, my midwife is there to give counsel to my uncertainty and entertain my curiosity.  I will have a healthier baby thanks to my midwife's care, even if she never has the chance to birth him.  But I hope sincerely that I can give her that chance.  I think it would be a triumph for us both.

I must not fear failure, nor blind myself to the realities of my own situation.  If it is meant to be, it will be.  If it is not, I must accept it without shame.  In the end, what matters most is that my baby be born as healthy as he can be, into a family with solid values and a loving home.  It would please me beyond words if he may be born at home as well, in the presence of his loving family.

Sunday, July 13th
It seems I needed to give my hopes over to faith before they could be realized.  Once things got started, they proceeded quickly and without hesitation.  I knew by the time I left from my morning appointment with the perinatologist that I was going into labor.  I called my husband to be sure he left work early and avoided the Friday traffic, and I alerted my midwife as well, then stopped by the gas station on the way home.

Timing contractions is more art than science, but the exercise itself turned out to be valuable for more than just the information it provided.  By the time the contractions were getting serious, I knew how to feel them coming several seconds before the pain manifested, and this allowed me to prepare a little better for each one.  At first I could almost control how hard a contraction would come on by choosing to focus on it.  If I ignored it as it came on, the intensity was greatly reduced and I could talk through it easily enough.  If I decided to internalize, I was rewarded with a dramatically more powerful sensation.  My midwife told me she thought I had a "shy uterus", since my contractions were politely discrete when I phoned her, despite their intensity just before I called and immediately after I hung up.  I think my labor would have stalled if she had come too soon, and I can't imagine trying to maintain my concentration at the hospital.  I am ever so glad to have been laboring at home in my familiar environment where I could focus on my job and dedicate all my energy to delivering my baby.

I had my best and most solid support in my husband.  After timing so many contractions together, he could read it in my eyes when another was coming.  It was his solid, steady eye contact that helped me through the contractions leading up to transition.  That man could stare down a charging rhino, and his gaze was the rock I needed when my own strength was not enough.  Of course, sometimes his stoicism can be a bit misleading... our poor midwife was very surprised to arrive and find us nearly ready to deliver.  I have to admit that I became a little frightened as the contractions lengthened and we entered transition.  As we abandoned the timing ritual and focused on just making it through each one, I remember thinking that I should have given my husband a more thorough tour of our birth kit.  But I knew that the midwife was on her way and would arrive soon, and it would have done no good to call her and panic her as she made her way through the commuter traffic.  Besides, I needed my husband there by my side.

Our VBAC home birth produced a hollering, pink, 10 pound and 5.5 ounce, 23.5 inch long, healthy baby boy, just a little before 9 PM on Friday evening.  I find it ironic that my first son, who the perinatologist feared would be over 10 pounds by term, was delivered at only 8 pounds and 9 ounces, while this second had been estimated at only eight and a half pounds by ultrasound taken three days prior to delivery.  I have to say, I'm glad I didn't know how big he really was until it was over.  Sometimes having extra information is more distracting than helpful.  While the pain and effort was substantial, it only adds to the sense of accomplishment that I feel for having done it right this time.

If my husband and I hadn't already planned to stop with two children, I think next time I would have opted for the underwater birth.  Although I've never been one for tub bathing, in these days following the delivery I've come to appreciate the uniquely soothing affect of a simple tub of warm water.  Nothing else does as much to relax all of these overexcited muscles.  But our family is complete now, and with this last, natural delivery, my sense of womanly self is complete as well.  While I'm sure I would be just as happy with my new son if things hadn't worked out exactly as I had planned, I now have an added sense of pride for having the strength this time to stand up for what I believe.

 

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Dear Anne,
Thank you so much for being my midwife. You were so patient and kind before, during and after the birth. You made my birth experience everything I dreamed it would be and more. (Well, the actual labor was a lot more work than I thought it would be, but I'll know better next time.) I know that for our next baby I will have you as my midwife again. I could never go back to a doctor again knowing the kind of attention I can get from you.

 

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Hello Anne,
Hope you are in good health and spirits. It has been some time that we've spoke, yet I am so glad Melissa and Emiliano are going with you! My family is great, the baby girl you delivered is now 2 1/2 years and a lil' critter! We just had another baby in November of 2006. However we delivered in a hospital, and again the only reason we delivered there is because Medi-Cal would not cover a homebirth. Let me tell you however, your personal and professional care was above and beyond my experience at the Desert Regional Medical Center, in Palm Springs, CA. There wasn't one nurse who was in-tune or genuine, this made it very sterile and difficult to get comfortable. My husband was kind of pushed aside, unlike the home birth where he experienced giving life with me. Our family will never forget the compassion and empowering experience of your care, and will always be connected in a sacred way. Warm wishes and prosperity to you and Coley for the New Year!

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Dear Anne and Coley,
(our Turtle and our Bear) *What can we say? Thanks is not enough to say to ones who perform the sacred arts of midwifery. You both have become a part of our family's history, it's that beautiful. *Both of my babies have come into this world so softly, so peacefully, (like my ancestors did it), with your loving support. *May the Creator bless and keep you both safe in your life's voyages,

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Dear Anne,
We just wanted to thank you again for all of your support throughout our pregnancy and the birth of our daughter. You made our home birth experience incredible and we would never consider doing it any other way. If we decide to have any more children we will definitely be calling you! We really appreciate your genuine caring about us and making our daughter's water birth the best experience it could be.

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Hi Anne and Coley,
We were thinking of you both and the amazing job you did for our family and realized our little angel wouldn't be here without you both! Thank you so much for loving what you do and believing in me when no one else would! Here are some pictures of our Kylie who is rapidly approaching 7 months of age! Thank you so much for everything you've done. You helped us bring an angel into our lives, and I really could not have done it without you nor would I have wanted to! Carlo and I can't thank you enough. We would love to see you both!

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Dear Anne,
Thank you again for making our pregnancy and home birth such a wonderful experience(: Ian and I really felt that I received the quality and personal care that we desired (and had found lacking in mainstream medical care.) We are so glad that we prioritized our ideals even though I was already 5 months into the pregnancy when I switched prenatal care to you. Anne you have such a sweet spirit and calming presence - the perfect personality for a midwife.(: We will be sure to call you when we prepare for a 3rd child. From Ian, Nadi, myself - and especially baby Myrddin:

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Dear Anne,
Just wanted to thank you again for being MY MIDWIFE and helping me to deliver Rachel, Mark, Luke, Matthias, and David over the past eight years. They are a joy to us and we will always consider you an important part of our family. More than a midwife (though you are all I could EVER desire in one), you have treated me as though what I wanted for my births was as important to you as it was to me. We have had some extraordinary experiences during my births together and you've grown as a midwife and I've grown in my faith in God and in my belief that He is the author of life and truly uses us, his people, to bring forth new life and bring honor and glory to Him. I look forward to our next birth together because you truly do MY birth, MY way.

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Anne,
Thank you for being so sweet and wonderful. You were so quick to respond, gentle and very helpful during the pushing. You helped make a very special memory for our family.

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Anne,
I've been wanting to sit down (Ha!Ha!) and write you a note for the longest time so here I am... Thank you, Anne, for being my midwife for what appears to have been my final birthing experience (sad face). I am so grateful that the Lord led me to you through the "Neighbors" Newsletter. God is so good and faithful. Your gentle and compassionate spirit allowed me to be able to openly share my concerns and fears and to then work through them so that I could have a much more relaxed birth. Thank you for being so kind and gracious. I so appreciate the way you allowed me to be in control of my labor. Then relieved my anxiety that might have otherwise been present and robbed me of my peace and joy. You are truly a minister of the Lord by allowing Him to use you in your profession. Thank you for ministering to me and my family by being my midwife. I hope to talk to you soon.

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Anne,
I know I have probably said it a million times how wonderful our experience was having Jason. I felt safe, loved, respected, and most of all, I felt in control of what was happening to me. Being able to do what my body needed to do was the greatest gift. The gift here is something I thought would look beautiful in your bathroom. We found it in Arkansas in an antique store although I sure they aren't antique. As I talked of my experience, this last trip to Arkansas with my family, they too developed an appreciation for what you did for us. May God bless you and your hands that help bring life, Anne. Love Julie Baby Jason is now one year old. He has gone through several surgeries to correct a cleft palate, diagnosed by my assistant and myself at his newborn exam. It has been Julie's goal to breast feed Jason. She has been courageous and persevering through these challenges.

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Life Chiropractic of the South Bay Manhattan Beach, CA
Dear Anne,
One of the first things on my long list of first things is to send you an additional word of thanks. Thank you for your wonderful love and service during our birth of little Hannah. The birth (and pregnancy and labor) is quite easily one of the two most incredible experiences in life for us. We are thankful for our path having crossed with yours, and we hope and pray that you continue to facilitate the wonder of natural childbirth with many more. Your are making a difference in this world.

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ANNE!!!
This is Denise (and Scott, Zach Stephanie) Alexander . . . I was wandering around the web and stumbled upon your website! I can't believe how long it's been since I've spoken with you... Once again life got so busy and I have neglected people I care about, so I was so happy to see your site and find out how wonderful you're doing... I can't believe you were on TV! I've watched that show "Baby Story" before and I am so excited that "my" midwife was featured on it... We are all doing well here, although had a rough year last year... but all has worked out and 2000 has proven to be the best yet. Stephanie is going to be 6 on June 24 and not a birthday of hers goes by that we don't think of you. You will ALWAYS be in our hearts and prayers, and we are soooo proud of you :) Just seeing your picture on your site brought back all of those fantastic and absolutely perfect memories of the most fun, wonderful, beautiful thing I've ever done. Thank you for being such an integral part of one of my greatest memories of my life... You will always be a part of this family and please never forget to ask if there is anything we can ever do for you... as nothing can ever be enough to repay you for the joy and security you provided for us on that glorious, hot afternoon June day 6 years ago.

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Dear Anne,
Hi. I just wanted to say I visited your site and thoroughly enjoyed it. I live in northeastern Pennsylvania. I would love to see a facility like yours come our way. However it is slow going; Pa. is not as progressive as California. Keep up your wonderful work and God bless you.

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Dearest Anne -
Joshua and I wish to express our sincere gratefulness for all your kindness and understanding. The two of us are mesmerized by Baby Rain's beauty and her birth was truly magical. Towards the end of my pregnancy many of our hopes to have such a wonderful experience seemed out of our reach, but you my friend, restored those hopes and the outcome was so entirely positive that still I am speechless. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Thank you so much for making our birth such a magical happening! It was the birth we wanted. You are truly gold.

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Dear Anne,
Just wanted to thank your so much for making my birth experience so special. Both you and Pam were a God send. Please give Pam (Anne's Assistant) my thanks. If you ever need a referral, please feel free to give people my number.

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Dear Anne,
I just wanted to let you know how much we appreciated your making it possible for us to have our baby Adam at home. We truly believe you and Pam were used of God, as we were trusting him completely with Adam's birth. May God bless you in all that you do.

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Dear Anne,
We just wanted to thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for everything you have done. We could not have been more pleased with our choice for a midwife. Thank you for spending so much time with us at each visit. This really meant a lot to us. Thank you for your honesty and incredible kindness. We will never forget you!

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Lakeview Chapel Lake Elsinore, CA

Dear Expectant Mom and Dad,
It is my pleasure to recommend Anne Sommers to you as our midwife. My wife, Rebecca, and my baby son received professional prenatal care from Anne during our pregnancy and home delivery. After having our first son born in a hospital two years ago and then having our second son born at home on October 2, with Anne, we want to let other couples know that our home delivery was an infinitely more satifsfactory experience than was a hospital birth. Our home delivery brought us together as a family. It was an incredible event with spiritual significance that we shared as a husband and wife, and as a mother and father! I was overjoyed to be involved in every moment and aspect of the delivery. Unlike our past experience with hospital practice and policy, Anne took the time to answer all of our questions, she has a positive attitude and approachable personality, she was always availabe to speak with over the telephone and she always placed our concerns first. When the time came for our baby to be born we were pleased not only to have a midwife give us the care that was necessary, but Anne also celebrated the birth of our son with us as a friend who really cares! Perhaps the most incredible thing about our pregnancy and home delivery with Anne was that she provided holistic care. She realizes that one's faith in God is important to our health and well being. It was wonderful to have a midwife that shares our faith in Jesus Christ and prays for her patients, their pregnancies and their deliveries. Anne made our pregnancy and home delivery something that we never imagined was possible!

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Anne

I am sorry it has taken so long to get this to you. I hope all is well. I can't believe 3 months have already passed. Cody is doing great. He is thriving on lots of breastmilk, sleeping well, smiling all the time, and very accomodating to his big sister's 5 yr old social calendar. =) We  want to thank you for another wonderful birth experience.

When we were pregnant with Madison, our first, you guided us step by step with the greatest pre natal care we could have hoped for. You educated, nurtured, helped us prepare for the birth, and created a healthy pregnancy for us. I couldn't have asked for a more positive birth experience. You helped deliver Madison at home and initiated her life in a positive, loving, calm environment just as we had imagined. When we got pregnant a second time 5 years later, with Cody, our obvious choice was to return to you.
Once again you showed your professional expertise, your experience, and nurturing demeanor. During the birthing process you demonstrated the perfect balance of strong guidance and quiet observation to ensure a natural but safe birth for us. I feel blessed to have been lucky enough to have you deliver our children and been able to fulfill our dreams of natural childbirth at home.