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.
Jennifer Revermann, a 29-year-old mom of five, worked with a midwife for each child’s birth. Kathrine Simon, CNM, of North Metro Midwives delivered her first four children.
You recently gave birth and worked with a midwife. Was it your first time working with one? This was not our first time using a midwife. Kathrine delivered my first four children and was actually not present at Quinton’s birth but her colleague Jessie was able to be there.
How did you settle on a midwife? With our first pregnancy, we were working with an OB and were not completely satisfied with the care I was receiving. I was talking with a friend, and she recommended looking into a midwife since she had great experiences. We decided to look online for the closest midwife figuring we had nothing to lose. We scheduled our 20 week appointment with Kathrine and upon leaving my husband and I knew that this was the right option for us. Kathrine was kind, personable and took time to answer our questions. I felt like I was sitting and talking to a close friend, and we now consider her a part of our family!
During the pregnancy, what was it like working with a midwife? I loved working with a midwife during my pregnancies. I never felt rushed in an appointment, and she was always willing to answer questions and put my mind at ease when I was concerned about something. When our other children were at the appointments with us, Kathrine always tried to get them involved which I loved! Kathrine was very supportive of the fact that I wanted my pregnancy, labor and delivery to be as “hands off” as possible and wanted this to be a very natural experience.
How’d the delivery go? My delivery went great! With my last baby, we had a water birth which was an amazing experience. For all of my births, I felt like I had the support that I needed and someone who understood my wants and needs during and after labor and delivery. I loved that my midwife was there with me from the time I arrived at the hospital to the time baby was born. I am amazed at Kathrine’s ability to know where you are at in labor just by observing. Kathrine’s support allowed me to have the natural, unmedicated births I desired. I feel so blessed to have such wonderful memories from my births.
Is there anything else you want to share about your experience? I will forever be grateful that we made the decision to switch to a midwife during my first pregnancy. Over the course of my five pregnancies, I have driven up to three hours to see Kathrine to get the care I desired. Kathrine has seen us through a preemie birth, also, and I could not have asked for a better support during and after Bradley’s birth. There is not a doubt in my mind that a midwife was the best option for our family.