Early on in my pregnancy, I decided that I wanted to go through labor and delivery with a midwife, instead of having a hospital birth with a doctor. I was looking for a midwifery practice that was personal and small, who I knew would be with me from start to end. I was lucky enough to be referred to Boulder Nurse Midwives by several friends who had delivered with Angela or Merilyn and had wonderful experiences. I also wanted to be with a practice that would support and encourage me in my determination to have a natural child birth with as few interventions as possible.

Ten days before I was due with my son, I awoke at 5:15 a.m. with a contraction and my water breaking. Not knowing what the day would hold, and being in slight shock, I stayed in bed and counted my contractions which were coming about 10 minutes apart until 7 a.m. Finally, I woke up my husband and told him that we would be welcoming our baby boy into the world that day! Knowing that since my water had broken I would have to deliver within 24 hrs, I called Angela and we discussed the situation and I decided that I would stay at home as long as possible before heading to the hospital. Five hours later, it was snowing outside, and I had a very nervous husband as my contractions were more intense and coming at least every five minutes. Since I had wanted a natural childbirth without induction or labor drugs, I was petrified that if I went to the hospital too soon, my labor would stall and I would have to be induced again. After some coaxing that I was indeed fairly progressed in my labor, I finally conceded to leaving home and going to the hospital. About an hour later, we arrived at Boulder Community Foothills and Angela and the nurse monitored the babies heart rate, and since everything checked out healthy, we decided that I would walk around the hospital to speed my labor. Angela and the nurse left to begin filling out paperwork, and within 5 minutes my contractions were extremely intense and I was beginning to ask myself, and my husband, why I had wanted to deliver my child without any painkillers! Angela. always reassuring and calm, returned to the room and checked me, discovering that I was already dilated to a 6, and so I headed to the tub to labor through transition. Contractions throughout transition were definitely one of the most intense feelings I have ever felt, and at times I began to fear that my body wasn't capable of handling it - but Angela and the nurse continued to reassure me that I could, and would be able to do it. I can still hear their voices and confidence to this day! Less than an hour later I was fully dilated and ready to push. Just under 10 hours from the start of my labor, at 2:55 p.m., my beautiful son Porter Alexander was born and placed on my chest, eyes wide, taking the world in already.

Although childbirth is not an easy experience, it is one of the most beautiful miracles I have ever been a part of. I feel very blessed that I went through childbirth with no complications, and am so happy that I was able to do it without any medicine or interventions. I could not have done it without Angela! She was gentle, patient, and empowering throughout the whole experience. I am so grateful for Boulder Nurse Midwives, from the first prenatal check up, through labor and delivery, and finally to the post-partum check ups, I always felt comfortable to be who I was, and completely supported. Thank you for everything!!!