I have very fond memories of watching A Baby Story on TLC after school in elementary school, longing for the day in which I would have my own baby story. Despite my avid fascinations and dreams, I had never considered the option of being a part of baby stories as a vocation. About 5 years ago when I was praying about going back to school, I was given a book called ‘Diary of a Midwife.’ As I read, it became increasingly more clear the Lord was prompting my heart. I started to watch documentaries about home birth and began asking the mothers in my life about their birth story. As I read, listened, and watched I was shocked by the lack of transparency, autonomy, education, and emotional/spiritual counseling that was seemingly the reality of birth in America. I continued to pray, and soon felt it was abundantly clear the Lord was shepherding me into this calling of coming alongside women through pregnancy, birth, and the gift of motherhood in a way that empowers others and glorifies God. I decided I wanted to approach this with a nursing background in order to have a broader scope of practice and more clinical training. I am currently pursuing further education to become a nurse midwife. 

After nursing school there weren’t any labor and delivery jobs available and so I accepted a job in the Emergency Room and was questioning what was next. While in school, I had heard things about Genesis Midwifery and the wonderful work Heather (and now Magen) was doing in the community. I then joined Genesis as a part time birth assistant and was so excited for the opportunity to finally be a part of home birth. After the first birth I attended, I got home and my husband looked at me and said “you’re glowing.” It was all I could think about for days. I couldn’t believe how beautiful, peaceful, and intimate it was. There was something truly special about supporting a couple as they brought their baby into the world. It was unlike anything else I have had the privilege of doing. In the wee hours of the morning a sacred scene is set - a woman using all the strength she has, a man at her side with all tenderness, and a little miracle taking its first breath.

In her book, Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth, she proposes that where there is love, gratitude, and grace - fear and pain have a difficult time interrupting the body’s progression through labor. I am here to serve in a way that helps to cultivate that very love, gratitude, and grace in order to help each family individually welcome their baby with warmth, strength, and great joy. I pray that with each birth I can continue to be the hands and feet of Christ for each family and their baby story.