Birth Stories
Reading birth stories from other parents provides an intimate glimpse into the birth experience that can be very informative, confidence building and inspiring!
I can't say enough great things about my experience with Community Midwives of Brantford (CMOB) and my midwife Kelly. |
- Ricky-Lynn Outerson
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Because of my midwife, I viewed birth as beautiful and natural, and not something to be feared.
Because of my midwife, I understood birth to be a normal life event that sometimes requires medial intervention, not a medical emergency that sometimes goes well.
Because of my midwife, I received care that was continuous, compassionate, and unhurried.
Because of my midwife, I felt like I always had someone to call, listen, and respond quickly, confidently, and reassuringly when I was worried about something.
Because of my midwife, I delivered 6 babies into this world without pain medication.
Because, of my midwife, I had 5 beautiful home births.
Because of my midwife, I believed that my body which could grow a person, and birth a person, could also feed a person, and I was able to breastfeed each one of our kids.
Because of my midwife, I had the best advocate in the hospital for our prematurely born daughter.
Because of my midwife, I learned how to arm myself with an arsenal of natural remedies that boosted my iron levels during pregnancy, encouraged labor to begin at the right time, helped with post partum healing, and gave me an abundance of milk.
Because of my midwife, I could relax with her by my side while I labored and delivered at home, fully confident in her decades of experience and competence.
Because of my midwife, I can look back on each birth and treasure the memory of delivering each baby into the world.
Because of Kathy, my midwife is also my friend.
- Jacinda Vandenberg
Being a first time Mom, making choices about care for baby and I wasn’t something I took lightly. I knew I wanted care that was comprehensive, but also personable; I wanted to get to know who would be helping me bring my baby into the world. Maryellen exceeded my expectations both during prenatal and postnatal care. Her knowledge, expertise and compassion helped make an already memorable experience that much more memorable & positive! The at home follow up visits after baby’s arrival, and the comfort in knowing we could reach out to her anytime with questions or concerns was invaluable. A truly personal experience! |
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We cannot say enough about our experience bringing our daughter into the world with the help and guidance of the Brantford Midwives. All along the way we were educated about our options and at every turn we were given the freedom to decide how we wanted to handle every situation as a family. We felt loved, cared for and respected through our entire pregnancy, during delivery and beyond. Home birth didn’t seem like a natural fit for us at the beginning, but when “go-time” came we had so much trust in Kelly and Heather as emotional guides and medical experts that we opted for a very calm, cool and collected home birth. It was one of the best experiences of our lives. We felt so lucky to welcome our daughter at home with such loving care from her very first breath. If home birth isn’t for you that’s okay, the midwives are birth experts and fierce advocates for your family no matter where you give birth. Once our baby was born, the level of attention-to-detail and genuine interest they took in her well-being, our wish to breastfeed and the complications that came along with it were second to none. I tell everyone who will listen how amazing our experience was and how grateful we are to have been guided by our midwifery team.
The midwives are THE BEST thing that ever happened to my pregnancy and post birth. Heather and Kelly were the most caring, most professional, most kind midwives we could have asked for. We felt loved and informed all along the way. We are so glad they helped us bring our daughter into the world. Can't say enough about how positive our experience was! A++"
- Avery Kloss
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Danielle has been my midwife for 2 pregnancies so far, working on our third. Danielle is so intuitive and gentle. She is amazing at supporting all pregnancy and birth choices and always provides resources without bias. Danielle truly has you and your babies best interest at heart and I love having her on my team. So well educated and up to date on recommendations, so easy to talk to and amazing bedside manner, I cannot recommend Danielle as a care provider enough! - Martha Rattie
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Michelle played a key role in the birth of all three of our children. She joined us on our journey for our first child in 2014. Through the appointments leading up to the birth she was very thorough and helpful in assisting us in having the most natural home birth experience possible. I remember the feelings of uncertainty in terms of what to expect when giving birth, but Michelle helped me feel comfortable and safe before, during, and after the birth of our first little guy. The follow-up she provided was meaningful and helpful as a new mom and I never felt alone in the process. Needless to say, we sought her services for our second child in 2016 and our third child in 2018. Michelle was always calm and caring, which always helped create a peaceful atmosphere. We are so thankful for Michelle and the midwives in our community and hope many others can have a positive childbirth experience with their help and expertise like we experienced! |
-Rebecca Hull
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My daughter was born December 27 2017, seven days over due. It was a freezing minus 24 and I was back at home after a morning midwife appointment. When labour finally started that afternoon, I figured I would be in it for the long haul. Hunkered down in my ensuite bathroom, I suddenly realized that my sweet baby girl was making up for lost time. Danielle, my midwife arrived and confirmed my fears. There would be no hospital, no epidural. "Honey you're not gonna make it down the stairs," she said to me.
With Kelly as her back up these 2 amazing women rolled out a hospital in my completely unprepared room and helped me deliver my baby girl less than 15 minutes after Danielle's arrival. My birth was amazing and so positive despite its surprise location. Danielle and Kelly were so educated, sure, calming and in control of the situation. It was honestly just the most amazing thing. Afterwards they cleaned up, helped me get comfortable and spent time helping nurse and be with the baby. Over the next 2 weeks they were regularly there to help with breastfeeding and listening to my concerns. It was how I felt the birth experience should have been. I just really felt encouraged, empowered, supported, and part of the birthing experience throughout the entire process. Even before my hectic birth story, from the very first time I met Danielle it was such a nurturing, supportive environment. I honestly cannot speak highly enough about my entire experience with the Community Midwives of Brantford and would absolutely 100% recommend them to anyone who wants to have a connected birth experience.
- Kari S.
Danielle was my midwife for my second child. My appointments with Danielle were always informative and never rushed. She listened to my birth plan and gave me the home birth experience that I had been hoping for since my first pregnancy. Throughout the birthing process, she was comforting and allowed me to make my own decisions in regards to which positions I wanted to labour in, and where I wanted to give birth. After delivery, Danielle and Maryellen took amazing care of me by helping to walk me to/from my bedroom throughout the evening, and they acted calm and confident even amidst some complications that I had experienced. The two of them even made me toast and tea while I rested in bed! During our post-natal visits, Danielle helped me with my breastfeeding difficulties and supported me in coping with those struggles. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience, so there is no doubt that Danielle will be the midwife who I will be returning to in the future.
- Kelly
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When I started thinking about having a family, hospitals scared me. The way it feels, the rush I feel when I go there, it was uncomfortable for me. I knew about midwifery because of my sister, she had amazing experience with them and so I decided to go that route. We grew a relationship throughout my pregnancy that gave me such confidence in myself and them.My first birth was exactly how it should have been. When my midwives came to my house, I never felt alone, rushed or uncomfortable. It was incredible. The power they made me feel was so real. My midwives always made me feel in control and safe. Gave me choices and let me be in control of my labor. I loved it!
My second birth was very recent, I had spoken with my midwife about wanting to catch my baby and she taught me how! She gave me the power and knowledge on how to do it! all our appointments together I learned more and more and when the day came, I was able to do it! I was able to literally deliver and catch my own baby. My midwives and family were there and gave me so much support and courage. I LOVED every part of it. I would not change a thing about either of my births. How incredible is that? being able to say that. This was all possible because of my midwives. I strongly encourage women to use midwives, they give us power!
Thank you to all my midwives who've helped me make the biggest events in my life EVERYTHING I dreamed it would be.
-Brea Stage
When I became pregnant, I knew I wanted to have a midwife. The beginning of my pregnancy was at a fertility clinic, so I was extremely excited to begin the next part of my journey with the Community Midwives of Brantford. What I didn’t know was how much trust that would develop between me and my midwives. I remember crying at my first appointment with Maryellen because she was the first person to tell me that I was having a “normal” pregnancy, which made me feel self-assured and relaxed for the first time. She always explained things in depth so that I could confidently make my own decisions. |
- Jaime Hignell
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In the past nine years, I've given birth to 5 babies; in total 49 pounds of squishy cherub love! Our midwives were the angels who nurtured us through each experience. I've delivered in hospital, at home, on 'dry land' and in water. My primary midwife, Kathy, took care of my whole being, not just "the delivery." She balanced professionalism with intimacy. She earned my trust, heard my concerns, eased my fears, and built my confidence. She made me laugh. She wiped my tears. She spent time listening to me and spent time teaching me. Kathy has an incredible wealth of knowledge, is extremely skilled and passionately shares that wisdom, which in turn makes me a better Mother. My husband and I felt 100% comfortable in her presence, as she respected my body, my thoughts, and my emotions. She believed in me and my ability to birth our babies. When Kathy arrived on scene, her presence alone instantly made me believe I could do it! She asked my permission in every regard to my body, she informed us of our choices and respected our desires, our wishes, our hopes and our dreams. I ultimately knew my life and our baby were safe in her care, which allowed me to relax into the process and enjoy the journey until our sweet babes were resting in our arms. I will forever cherish Kathy and her team of midwives for the exceptional care they provided our family, during life's most beautiful and precious moments. It is their passion and they exceed our expectations every time. It is our honour to have had them by our side.
- Jay-Cee
I am a mom of 6 living children and 1 beautiful soul whom I am waiting to meet. I have had hospital inductions under the care of an amazing OB. I have had a vacuum and an episiotomy. I have had a failed epidural. Then, I went with midwifery care due to my OB moving out of town. This was the best choice I could have ever made for me and my future babies. Since then, I have had beautiful home water births where I birthed my babies into my own hands and brought them to my own chest, both of us in wonder and amazement of what had just happened. The midwives encouraged us and allowed us to live in those amazing moments. I have had a midwife know when to step in and intervene to help make sure my baby got out of a situation safety, wisely coaxing a shoulder out. I have sobbed in the arms of a midwife when I found out that the baby I had carried for 16 weeks no longer had a heartbeat. I had a midwife call me while I waited the long hours at the hospital to have my D&C, knowing the pain and heartache I was enduring. I had a midwife sit down and tell me that the last pregnancy I had was a high risk one with placenta previa and let me know she would willingly work alongside an OB. I had a midwife meet me at the hospital after I had a scary bleed at home and an ambulance ride. As I was shaking and terrified, she stroked my hand and gently told me that we needed to do an emergency c-section. I remember feeling like this wasn't my reality and she looked me in the eye and calmed my fears. She helped me wait until my husband could come rushing into the room and quickly suit up. She held my phone by my ear in the OR so that I could calm my nerves with my favourite music. She stroked my head during the surgery and captured pictures of precious moments between my husband and I and then our new baby. She stayed with me hours after the surgery and while I longed for my baby who was taken away by the skillful team for some specialized treatments. She visited me the days following while I was anxiously awaiting his departure from the special care nursery. She came to my house after every baby was born to make sure we were thriving. She came when I called to let her know I was pretty certain my incision had opened up and gotten infected. She was at my door. Not me at hers.
She rooted for us in every circumstance. She welcomed us back with open arms like an old friend. She became a friend. "She" has been different midwives throughout the years. But each time I reached my 6 week mark and was being discharged, I felt like I was saying goodbye to a journey with a friend. I have worked with amazing OB's. But the care from a midwife, they could never match. If someone has the opportunity to have midwifery care, I always tell them that they would never regret it. Ever. I have always felt respected, and safe with one. Midwives are a huge blessing, and if you get the chance to have one in your life, you will know exactly what I am talking about. Your birth journey will be just that much more special.
- Jessica Bekendam
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I have had two home births with the help of the gentle and professional Community Midwives of Brantford. My experience was fantastic both times - I felt like their level of skill, compassion, and knowledge of normal, natural birth would be impossible to match had I chosen traditional obstetric care. My needs always felt attended to, and my choices respected. If you are looking for an empowered birth experience with a highly skilled team, I can’t recommend the Community Midwives of Brantford enough. |
- Courtney Gray
My experience with the Brantford midwives was nothing short of excellent!
Especially my prenatal care visits with Maryellen and Bronwyn who were able to help me sort thru my feelings of trauma leftover from my first hospital birth with my twins 7 years ago.
They really gave me the tools to trust my body and instincts, I was definitely in charge of this birth experience.
I did have midwives at my first birth but because it was considered a high-risk pregnancy I was under the care of an OB as well as my midwives. My twins were born premature and spent 3 weeks in the hospital. I am so grateful to the care of the hospital and the NICU staff because we probably wouldn’t be here today if it wasn't’ for their care. However it was definitely a medicated birth, I didn't feel in control of anything. I also felt like an afterthought to the twins and I remember feeling isolated and alone in the hospital. Even though I had them vaginally I felt like the birth had just happened to me. Looking back I can say my husband and I were definitely in shock!
So when we decided to have one more baby I knew that as long as it was a singleton baby that things were going to (hopefully) go a bit differently this time! I read every book I could find on a calm natural birth. I scored over blogs and listened to birth podcasts. (I highly recommend the birth hour). From that, I learned that the number one thing you can do to have the birth that you want is to curate your care providers. Make sure to surround your self with positive people who share your goal and are looking out for you and the babies best interest. That is exactly why I chose to go with Maryellen. From our first visit to our last, she was always listening to me and my concerns and problem solving with me. Or just offering information, letting me lead the way to make decisions for myself and my baby. As the pregnancy progressed my husband and I decided that a home birth made the most sense for our family. We loved the idea of being at home, so calm and comfortable. We wouldn’t have to pack up our older children or take the baby out in the cold. ( I was due in February) There would be no exposure to yucky hospital germs, and best of all I could labour how I wanted. Not strapped to some hospital bed on my back. I would be free to listen to my body. I would have the natural birth I wanted!
When my due date came and went I was not panicking because I knew that I was in good hands with the midwives and that the baby would come when he was ready. My water broke on Sunday, March 3rd, but no contractions. Over the next 24 hours I did everything I could to get labour to start, lots of walking, lunges, castor oil. Nothing worked until I finally sent everyone home and decided to lay down and listen to my body. As soon as I did that contractions kicked in and less than 2 hours later our sweet baby boy was born in the water in our kitchen. The sun was shining and it was the perfect, beautiful natural experience that I had been dreaming about. It wouldn’t have been such a fantastic journey without my birth team, including my husband, my doula (Jennie’s Doula Services) and of course Maryellen and Bronwyn. I would not want to give birth again without my team. I just felt so supported and loved. The perfect environment for a new soul to come into. I really feel that is why my baby is such a calm boy, he had the best entry into the world.
Thank you for empowering me to find my womanhood again.
- Lara Rockefeller
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Tiffani, from the very first moment we met, made me like her! Instantaneously I was met with the kindest eyes and most approachable countenance. Not only did this put me at ease, but It gave me a sense of trust and relationship that you dream about having with your future midwife. Tiffani was so enjoyable to be around that my whole family looked forward to and counted down the days until our next appointment! All the prenatal care was excellent as well as the birth and postpartum. I appreciated her sense of professionalism balanced with a sense of friendship. All my kids loved having her visit too! I can honestly say we were all sad and a bit forlorn on our last meeting. Any woman would be lucky, I dare say blessed, to have Tiffani as their midwife. |
- Kailyn Steingard
Share your Birth Story
Would you like to share your birth story as a Community Midwives of Brantford client?
We encourage every new parent who has birthed with us to record their story. Email your Community Midwives of Brantford birth experience, along with a photo, to communitymidwivesofbrantford.ca. Subject line: “Birth Story”.
Please note: We may not publish all stories. We reserve the right to edit stories submitted.
We encourage every new parent who has birthed with us to record their story. Email your Community Midwives of Brantford birth experience, along with a photo, to communitymidwivesofbrantford.ca. Subject line: “Birth Story”.
Please note: We may not publish all stories. We reserve the right to edit stories submitted.