It’s National Midwifery Week. To highlight the work of a midwife, we talked with our moms who recently gave birth. Here, they share their experience in their own words.
Meta Webb, 35, gave birth to Corbett seven months ago. She worked with Debra Stealey, CNM.
Was it your first time working with one? Yes
How did you choose a midwife? I wanted to try a midwife for my second birth because I had heard wonderful things about working with a midwife. I also wanted to have a water birth, and I knew a midwife would support my goal. After my first appointment with Deb Stealey, CNM, I knew she was the person I wanted to work with during my pregnancy and delivery.
During the pregnancy, what was it like working with a midwife? Deb was amazing to work with during my pregnancy. She was very easy to talk to and encouraged me along the way. She believed in me that I could have a beautiful water birth, and I am happy to report that I did! Deb had a holistic way of treating not only me, but my husband as well during my pregnancy. As a nurse, she sees pregnancy and childbirth through a unique lens and I felt that her perspective really helped us to connect.
How’d the delivery go? The delivery was one of the most empowering experiences that I have had and Deb was there for Richard and I every step of the way. Having a water birth was such a wonderful experience and Deb’s professionalism and expertise helped put us at ease. The nurses at the Mother Baby center were caring and passionate and this helped to make our experience so terrific.
Is there anything else you want to share about your experience? I cannot say enough wonderful things about my experience in working with a midwife, particularly Deb. My second delivery was drastically different then my first and I credit much of that to having Deb by my side.