My journey into midwifery began through both heartbreak and healing. After suffering a late miscarriage in 1998, I found myself searching for a deeper understanding of pregnancy, birth, and the support mothers truly need during such vulnerable and life-changing moments.

As I began teaching childbirth classes and attending births as a Doula in the small remote community in Oregon where I lived, I quickly realized how powerful birth could be when mothers felt informed, supported, and listened to.

When I had my first baby in the hospital, the experience was okay, but something felt missing. Not feeling heard or fully in control of my own birth experience. I knew I wanted something different for my next birth — something more peaceful, more connected, and more personal.

For my next baby, I chose to give birth at home in the water.

That experience completely changed my life.

The calmness of the water, the comfort of being in my own space, and the ability to move freely and listen to my body made me feel empowered in a way I had never experienced before.

Instead of fear, I felt trust. Instead of pressure, I felt supported. It was gentle, peaceful, and deeply emotional. From that moment on, I knew birth could be something beautiful and transformative.

That experience shaped the way I view birth and mothers forever.

One of the most important things I have learned over the years is that mothers deserve to be listened to. Every woman’s birth experience matters, and every mother deserves care that respects her instincts, choices, and individual needs. Birth is powerful, and I continue to feel honored every time I am invited into such an important moment in a family’s life.

For years, I loved being a mother and raising my children, but it wasn’t until the birth of my fifth baby that I truly discovered my passion for midwifery and natural birth.

With my fifth pregnancy, I chose to work with a midwife for the first time. I remember being amazed by how different the experience felt; I felt listened to, supported, educated, and genuinely cared for throughout my pregnancy and birth journey. Instead of feeling rushed or overlooked, I felt empowered to make decisions and trust my body in a way I hadn’t experienced before.

That birth changed everything for me.

The calm, personalized care and the connection I felt throughout the experience opened my eyes to what birth could truly look like for mothers when they are supported with compassion and trust. I left that experience not only grateful for my own birth story, but inspired to help other women experience that same kind of care and empowerment.

In 2019, I began my midwifery apprenticeship and quickly fell in love with the work. Learning from experienced midwives and walking alongside mothers during pregnancy and birth has been one of the greatest blessings of my life. Becoming a Certified Professional Midwife is one of my proudest accomplishments, right alongside raising my five children.

I strongly believe that parents deserve the opportunity to write their own birth story. Every pregnancy and every birth is unique, and I feel honored to play even a small role in helping mothers feel confident, supported, and cared for during such an important moment in their lives.

As a sentimental person, I replay the events of my children’s births on their birthdays. On their birthdays, it’s our family tradition to have each child snuggle on my lap as I tell them the story about how they were born. My heart is full as I replay the events that took place a year ago.

I had gone to a routine prenatal appointment with my midwives, had a foot zoning and was feeling vulnerable as we discussed difficult topics. During the appointment, I also shared with my midwives the recurring dream I had of Kaea asking to be born in time to attend her baby shower party scheduled for March 25. She was very persistent and adamant about what she wanted to wear, who she wanted to carry her, and hold her. She also wanted a birthday banner, balloons, and a cake waiting for her. I felt vulnerable as I relayed these dreams to my midwives. They did not laugh or belittle me for my dreams; instead, they listened intently and began planning how we could fulfill Kaea’s requests.

I had been experiencing latent labor all week, and we felt that because I have such quick, short active labor, having the team in place and then rupturing my membranes was the way to go. We made a plan; I felt heard, loved, supported. A huge difference from my other births!!

The team arrived early morning on Mar 24, and my membranes were ruptured around 9:30 am. Within 30 minutes, active labor had begun. At about 11:20 am, I gratefully slipped into the comforting waters of the portable birthing pool that was set up in my room. It was heavenly; the pain was quickly cut in half, and I knew that baby girl would soon be in my waiting arms.

My midwives watched my birthing signs and emotional signposts and instantly got into place as they heard the change in my voice and vocalizations; it was go time. Bill got into place to catch our baby, and after 10 minutes of pushing, she was gracefully gliding through the water. Her daddy and the midwife caught her together, and it was instant love when she was handed into my waiting arms. She had a true knot in her umbilical cord from all the flips she did in utero. Because her cord was so supple, healthy, and robust, she didn’t experience any negative repercussions. She was a healthy 10 pounds 10 oz and was 22 inches long. I labored for about 3-3 1/2 hours. Baby girl passed through without tearing me, and I think because I was on my hands and knees in the water, we avoided any dystocia issues.

My midwives were rock stars and took such excellent care of both Kaea and me. I felt loved, safe, supported, empowered, and electrified by their support. Kaea’s birth was the ultimate birthing experience; all of my wildest dreams and wishes were honored and achieved. It was the perfect high note to conclude my birthing years. Kaea was in need of an adjustment after birth since she was slightly off-center and had her face turning a little off-center coming through, and had tweaked her shoulders as a result. My amazing chiropractor went above and beyond the call of duty and made a special home visit to immediately adjust baby girl. Once Kaea was adjusted, she was much happier. My heart was touched that Dr Stephanie would be willing to help us in this way. She came a second time and also made room for us to see her in her office since Kaea was still hurting.

Kaea nursed shortly after birth and was a rock star despite having a disorganized suck, high soft pallet, and lip and tongue ties. We had a fabulous lactation consultant and all things nursing guru, come to our home 2 days after birth and move heaven and earth to get Kaea into a specialist to have her ties released. Aneesa made several house calls as the need arose to help us get a Kaea going in the right direction. Surrounded by the loving care and administrations of so many talented healers and caregivers, I felt empowered, honored, and humbled by the incredible community of care providers with whom I shared my Kaea’s birthing experience.

All of my postpartum care was at my house. My midwives saw me 6 times in the first 6 weeks and did many nurturing, healing procedures to help me, such as belly binding, warm river rock massages on my fundus, an oil massage, and herbal sits baths. They came to check on me and make sure my needs were being met, so I wouldn’t have to leave my home for the first 30 days, except for getting adjusted and Kaea’s procedure.

I had the most amazing, wonderful, nurturing experience any woman could ever have dreamed of, and feel so blessed that I got to experience such a powerful experience as my last birth. True to her nature in my dreams, Kaea is very vocal about her preferences. She knows her own mind and wants things done a certain way. She is slowly training us to know what her needs are and how to fulfill them. I adore her persistent, focused, determined nature. She loves her older brothers and interacts with each of them in the sweetest ways. However, Winston is so close in age that they are often being held, comforted, or fed together. They love each other, fight with each other like normal siblings. Nevertheless, I know that they have a special, sacred bond with each other. It’s going to be exciting having front row seats as I get to watch this relationship blossom and come to fruition.

As a special note, we had birthday decorations and a cake waiting for Kaea after her birth. She was carried in her paternal grandmother’s arms, Grammy Coleen Nelson Nelson, to her baby shower. No one at the party knew that Kaea had arrived, and so it was a huge surprise when they all got to meet her. All our neighbors were in shock to realize a baby was born right next door, and they had no idea that it had happened. Kaea was dressed in the outfit she had wanted, and she was very happy that all her wishes were honored. I endeavor to raise my girl knowing that her voice is important, that what she feels is important, and that she has many people here to support her and stand by her as we grow her into the amazing, powerful woman I know she will become.

Happy birthday, my baby girl. My heart is securely tied to you, and I will always love, support, and be here to guide you.

In June of 2020, the world was a chaotic and uncertain place. I was pregnant with our fifth—and last—baby, navigating the anxieties of a global pandemic. Having given birth four times before in standard hospital settings with epidurals, I knew exactly what a “normal” birth looked like for me. But this time, I wanted something different. I wanted to be treated as a whole human being. That is exactly what led us from Ogden to Brigham City, and into the care of Danielle and Anastasia.

The care we received from Mermaid Birth was unlike anything we had ever experienced. There was no clinical coldness, no rush, and no feeling of being a statistic. When the time came, the communication was seamless—they were truly just a phone call away. We let my body do the work for hours. It wasn’t a short labor. But after trying many different suggestions we did have a wonderful delivery.

The Logan and Brigham City spaces were so clean, incredibly spacious, and warmly inviting. It was a complete contrast to the sterile hospital rooms of my past. Danielle and Anastasia provided a safe, supportive harbor during a historic time. Looking back, if I could re-do my previous four births, I would choose Mermaid Birth every single time. Not only was the care exceptional, but the affordability made it accessible when we needed it most. They didn’t just deliver a baby; they helped us wrap up our growing years with dignity, autonomy, and so much love.