WACO, TX — For parents who are seeking an alternative birth plan, one Central Texas hospital offers a clinic specializing in midwifery.
Michelle and Jonathan Leatherwood decided to use the clinic for the birth of their daughter Aurora.
“A certified nurse midwife is someone from the nursing profession who has a nursing background who’s gone back and has gotten a master’s degree specific in women’s health. They’re able to provide prenatal care and attend births," said Morgan Estes, who served as a midwife for the couple.
The Leatherwoods said they did their research and were seeking a different birth experience that was still in a hospital setting. Michelle learned more about midwifery and found that Waco had a clinic.
"I was really supporting her in the way she wanted to have a child, and at the same time having a hospital with all of the expertise and the equipment just in case if something were to go wrong and we would need a little extra care or the baby needed a little extra care," Jonathan said. "Having that there at the same time was absolutely amazing.”
Both Jonathan and Michelle said they did have some preconceived ideas of what midwives were before their experience with the Providence Midwife Clinic.
"I thought they were more like assistants to a doctor. I didn’t know they were actually the practitioners who walked with you along side of birth and then actually helped deliver your baby," Michelle said. "I found that out. I think how it turned out to be was that they were basically my coaches, so as an athlete, and having had coaches throughout my whole life, I immediately thought that's what needed. I need a birth coach."
Jonathan said having a midwife made him feel more comfortable during the birth experience.
"I was expecting some support but I was amazed at the level of the support of the that was there and how much coaching was given to us during the process, especially for me as the dad," Jonathan added.
Estes said she just enjoys what she does for patients like the Leatherwoods.
“Sometimes I’ll leave just on a birth high. Everybody’s well, mother got the birth they desired, and the baby is well," Estes said. "It’s just rewarding all the way around."
According to midwife.org, 94 percent of certified nurse midwife and certified midwife births occurred in hospitals, and Medicaid reimbursement for certified nurse midwife care is mandatory in all states.
