Why I chose a midwife: Two moms share their stories

By Roxanne Cooke

Beth Mayer gave birth to her third child, Jack, in February. She chose a midwife for this pregnancy and says she would “definitely recommend it.”

Mayer’s first delivery was complicated and ended in an unplanned C-section. Her second child was a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) delivery and she assumed she needed a doctor.

“I didn’t think a midwife was an option at the time,” says Mayer, 38.

But after her second child was born, Mayer saw an ad for midwifery and realized she could have used a midwife for her previous pregnancies, despite the challenges.

So the third time around she gave midwifery a try. Other friends shared good experiences, which further cemented her decision.

“It sounded like a more empowering experience for women, more of a partnership,” Mayer says. “My last pregnancy was a more emotional one because I’d lost a baby a year prior. Jodee (Gutierrez) understood and knew I was nervous. She took more time with ultrasounds and made me feel more at ease.”

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Rebecca Clearman, 34, is due to give birth to her second child this year. It will be her second pregnancy with a midwife.

She’s been seeing Lizzi Brink, CNM, ARNP, for this pregnancy.

“I love Lizzi so much,” Clearman says. “I tell everybody she makes me want to have more kids.”

Clearman says she wanted to see a midwife for a more holistic approach to pregnancy and delivery.

“I wanted someone I thought was going to have more of a dialogue for different options, different ways to handle pain, different medications,” she says. “I feel very well taken care of. I feel I would have the same experience as with a doctor but I get benefits of a holistic approach.”

Find a midwife
Learn about MultiCare’s midwifery services