I am so excited to introduce myself as a part of the Mermaid Birth Team. My name is Kristi Nielsen. I have been married for 20 years. My husband and I both grew up here in the Valley. We have lived in Millville for the past 15 years. I have three amazing children Nikelle (15), Kacie (11), and Cole(8). My family is my whole world. Being a mom and a wife is and will always be
my most special, rewarding, hardest, and meaningful accomplishment.
When I was younger and trying to decide what I wanted to be when I grew up I knew I always dreamt of becoming a “Baby Doctor” I called it. I would clarify I didn't want to be the one that does all the hard stuff, just the one who takes the baby out haha. I got older though and reality set in just how much time and money was needed to go into that field. Also how non-intimate
the hospital setting was. I definitely knew I wanted to do something with my life that had to do with Health and Wellness in a Natural, Connective, and Tender setting. So I chose to become a Massage Therapist. I have been a Massage Therapist for 20 years. I have also always had a fascination with Health and Wellness through Physical Exercise/Nutrition. Exercise and being a part of the Fitness community brings me so much joy.
I loved it so much that I became a member of a Crossfit Gym 5 years ago where I received my Crossfit Training Certification. I am now a Crossfit Trainer. I coach Crossfit Adult and Kids classes. There is no greater privilege than to get to use your talents to have any part in enhancing the physical, mental and emotional growth in so many lives surrounding me every day.
Now to my story of what made me want to be a part of the Birthing Community other than still having it always in the back of my mind from childhood. I had my first two children in the Hospital. I had very typical, easy, wonderful births. I had my induction date planned, got the epidural right away, and basically hung out with the nurses checking
me every 10 minutes until the doctor told me to push. The whole shebang. I did not feel any pain. The only problem I had with all of this (especially with my second) was how robotic and non-intimate it all felt. My husband really was not involved very much at all. I knew I wanted so badly to know what a natural intimate at-home birth would be like but I was scared people would
think I was strange and it would be so painful. When we found out we were pregnant again we did not have Insurance at the time so after looking into a hospital birth and a Birth with a Midwife the Monetary amount was significantly different. So the biggest reason we chose Natural Birth at first was that we could afford it. Once we made the decision though I started reading and researching more. I became very excited very fast. I was still terrified but so happy. When the birth came I was very surprised to
find out that the pain was nowhere near what I was expecting and the experience of having my baby in my home with just the midwife and my husband right by my side completely involved and taking care of me was incredible. It was the perfect, connected, intimate, spiritual, and
peaceful moment I had always wanted. I knew from that day that I had to be a part of this someday. There was no way that I could at that point in my life but I told myself I would do this when my life made it possible. That time finally came and here I am so thankful and so blessed to be living yet another dream.