Childbirth is typically one of the most important days of a woman’s life, and it can be an anxious and worrisome time for many. For some, the idea of going to a hospital and dealing with doctors and nurses only adds to the potential discomfort of bearing a child, and to them the option of using a midwife to deliver a baby at home sounds more comfortable and natural, said Kelsey Martin, who is one of the few midwives working in the State College area
“Birthing a child is a beautiful, natural process,” said Martin. “I do my best as a midwife to help mothers, and the whole family, have the birth experience that they feel most comfortable with.”
The idea of midwives became somewhat antiquated with the advent of modern medicine, but it is a long-standing tradition of women helping other women during the child-birthing process. Midwives are becoming popular again, as many mothers are looking to experience a more natural process that involves less medical intervention. Martin said only low-risk pregnancies are an option for midwives, and moms with any risk factors would be referred to a doctor.
Many midwives have the option of using birth centers that allow for medical professionals to be close by or working in tandem, but there are no such options in State College. Surrounding hospitals, including Lewistown and Altoona, do have midwives who deliver in the hospital. Martin is a certified professional midwife, which enables her to work without the assistance of a doctor, allowing for the in-home birthing experience.
“Being in your own home allows that level of comfort that just isn’t available in a hospital,” said Martin. “And and in the hours after the delivery, you can be home with your baby and sleep in your own bed. How wonderful.”
Maria Stevens works as a doula, and often works with midwives in helping families during the birthing process. She said midwives deal with the medical aspect of pregnancy and birth, while doulas help with all the other aspects.
“I like to say doulas are like wedding planners, because like a wedding, a birth involves a lot of planning and emotional support,” said Stevens, adding that a doula can also help in the difficult transition the few months after birth.
Stevens is a mother of three and gave birth at hospital for her first baby, but used a midwife at home for her other two.
“I enjoyed my hospital birth, but I was glad to be able to be at home for my other ones. I felt comfortable and safe in my own element, and was able to do the water birth that I wanted at home,” said Stevens.
Ever since Martin was a 7-year-old, growing up in Kansas and seeing a midwife come into her home to help her mother deliver her sibling, she has wanted to help families during one the most important days of their lives. She studied at a school in Texas to become a certified professional midwife, and has since moved to State College with her husband and children, becoming one of the few working midwifes in the area.
“I remember the feeling the first time I helped a new mom deliver a child and it was pure joy,” said Martin. “And each time I deliver, that feeling comes back.”
That feeling is evident to many of the families who work with Martin.
“She is great, and really helped me have the experience that I wanted during my pregnancy and birth,” said Lauren Brown, of State College. Brown had her daughter, Elliot, 16 months ago, and said that she is glad to have used a midwife at home.
“I don’t regret anything about it. It was the experience that I wanted, at home where I felt the most comfortable,” said Brown. She said that while some of her family and friends were a little questioning when she first brought up the idea, all were supportive of her decision in the end. Brown also saw doctors at Geisinger Medical Center during her pregnancy. They worked with her, knowing that she was going to use a midwife during delivery.
“Midwives have become more and more common in recent years, and in the past few years Geisinger has been very open to working with moms who choose to use midwives,” said Martin. “This is a great thing, because it allows the most choice and options for moms.”
Martin keeps a small number of clients in order to be as attentive as possible to them.
“Plus, I have three young children of my own, so I am pretty busy as it is,” said Martin. “And, they were all delivered by midwives, and are as healthy as can be.”
In addition to Martin, Lisa Beherec and Sarah DePasquale work out of Millheim with Meadowsweet Midwifery and are available to State College mothers-to-be.
For more information, visit Martin’s Facebook page and website, https://gentlemidwife.wordpress.com.
