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We planned a homebirth for our second child after the natural, uncomplicated birth of our first child in a hospital. Things were not to be so smooth with this second baby, however.

The baby’s heart rate suddenly became very unstable after six hours of labor and we had to be transferred by ambulance to the hospital.

Beth handled our emergency situation with calm and certainty, overseeing our quick transfer to University of Washington Medical Center, where our baby was safely delivered by cesarean. She was with us throughout the ordeal until it was clear that the baby and I were both safe and healthy. The medical team praised Beth’s quick and decisive handling of our hospital transfer – they said, in fact, that her rapid response was what saved our baby.

Beth and Geraldine continued to help us in the days and weeks following the delivery to process our experience and provided physical and emotional support for us during our recovery.

Some would say that ours is the kind of case that demonstrates that birth should always take place in hospitals. While I am profoundly grateful that I had access to top quality hospital care, I think our case instead shows the way in which well-trained, experienced midwives are an important partner in the birth process (some would say “industry”) in America.

We didn’t get the home birth that we had planned on, but we got a healthy baby and healthy mom thanks to the top notch maternity care – physical and emotional – we received from a very caring and skilled team of women. Thank you, Beth, Geraldine, and Bev!

Katie (and Rich and Ian and Theo!)

We received outstanding midwifery care throughout our pregnancy as well as extraordinary labor and birth support from Beth, Geraldine and Michelle. Beth and Michelle spent 20 straight hours with us through labor at the birth center as well as staying with us after we transferred to the hospital. Beth provided sound and insightful guidance through the most difficult decisions that were made throughout our labor experience. She facilitated intelligent use of both out of hospital and in hospital resources, and was a powerful advocate for Serena and Logan’s health by gracefully collaborating with the other health care providers in the hospital.

Much love,
Jeremy, Serena, and baby Logan

Dear Beth, I don't know where to begin to thank you for all you've done to help us bring our baby into this world. When I first met you, I was inspired by your life work and dreamed of having someone like you to help me through this experience. I am so grateful we got that opportunity! My family is truly blessed! I acknowledge you for your amazing love, courage, support, laughter and joy you give to so many!
Thank you for being you!

We love you,
Rhondalynn, Tony and Graceson

"We are extremely happy with the care we received from the midwives at Rainy City Midwifery. We remember countless hilarious (and informative) prenatal visits. We always felt like we were in wise and knowledgeable hands. Our birth was a very trying experience that included many days of prodromal labor, but knowing that our midwives were there to back us up and provide unconditional support, both emotionally and physically, was what allowed us to have a natural birth at home in the water. We are grateful to both our midwives for their wisdom, grace and gentleness. You are our heroes and we can't wait to have many more babies born into your hands." - Katja and Carleton

and with their second child:
"Once again we've had a beautiful birth and a healthy addition to our family, thanks to you! We are so grateful to have you in our lives in your many blessed roles. There are not many in the world we trust so implicitly and love so strongly. We love and cherish your wisdom, your laughter and your serenity. Never again will there be another midwife as magical and as human as our Beth."- Katja, Carleton, Lamir and Trillium


"The midwives provided the most caring, genuine, and knowledgeable prenatal care imaginable. Our birth plan changed dramatically when I developed preeclampsia and needed to have labor induced at Swedish, but the midwives stuck with us. They advocated for us to have a birth as close as possible to our ideal, and as a result we were able to have a beautiful, unmedicated, hospital birth. They were absolutely present and reassuring guides throughout our labor, delivery, and first weeks of parenthood. Their knowledge and professionalism impressed not only us but all of the hospital staff who worked with them. (In addition to being fantastic midwives, they are also fantastic people!)" - Lisa and Dan
 

Dear Beth and Geraldine,
I'm not sure where to begin to say thank you. Our birth experience was just so amazing and wonderful. I can't tell you how important our visits and talks were over the course of the last 9 months. Welcoming Alex into our family in our home was an absolute joy. Even though he was a surprise, he was the best surprise, and worth every minute. I really don't think I could have made it through this pregnancy without the support that the two of you provided along the way. I will miss both of you so much. You will be forever ever remembered and part of our birth story and experience. I wish I could really put into words how important having the two of you with me along the way really was. You are doing amazing work, and are amazing women. Than you, thank you, thank you.

The Taylor Family May 2007


"I wanted midwives who could help me relax in order to have a smoother birth. The midwives' combination of professionalism, experience, judgment, humor, communication and sharing of themselves allayed my anxieties."
- Mary


"During the six months prior to Calvin's birth, we had been meeting regularly with our midwives. It had been a process of getting to know them, then getting to like them, and finally, getting to trust them completely. On the night of the birth, the awkwardness I'd felt at our first meeting was a memory so distant I couldn't dredge it up. In the midst of an otherwise chaotic situation, they were calm and in control." - Alicia and Jim