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.