I had my first baby in September 2024 at a planned home birth with Julie and Kara. I don't doubt…read morethat people have had positive experiences with them, but I felt unsupported and unsafe in their care when it mattered most. If I had seen a story like mine I would have chosen a different provider, and I hope to give others an opportunity to make a fully informed decision. The week leading up to my labor was when things began to take a turn. I reached out to Julie when I noticed a green discharge a day concerned that it might be amniotic fluid. She dismissed my concern after reviewing a photo. 4 days later I went into spontaneous labor. Julie forgot to take my temperature when she arrived. One hour after my daughter was born, she used traction to help deliver the placenta and I subsequently had a postpartum hemorrhage and lost 2 liters of blood. I then transferred to the hospital. Once there, I got confirmation that my membranes had been ruptured for close to 5 days as I had a high fever and elevated white blood cell count. I want to say that I am grateful for Julie's persistence when my uterus was failing to contract and I was bleeding. She diligently performed fundal massage and made sure I received the medication I needed. I believe these were life saving interventions. However, there were other actions that left me feeling unsafe and unsupported at the same time. - Julie asked Kara to set up an IV after I had lost the blood, and Kara was extremely hesitant to do so. Then she attempted to, blew out the vein in my hand and didn't try again. - Julie and Kara squabbled with each other about how to move forward when the placenta still hadn't been delivered. - Julie was not proactive in calling an ambulance or recommending we do so after I lost a large volume of blood. Instead, she asked me if I wanted her to call an ambulance as I was losing consciousness and was hardly in a position to make that decision. - Julie dragged her feet coming to my home once active labor started, not taking me seriously as a first time mom. Finally, when I brought up my concerns to Julie about my experience, she was very dismissive and defensive. She blamed her absenteeism during my labor on the fact that she had 11 births to attend that month, and told me I was lucky to have had a fast first labor but that most people don't. And she essentially admitted to being like OBGYNs that only show up for the birth because she has so many births to attend. Julie and Kara presented themselves as proactive, but when issues arose that was not my experience. And in addition, they do lip service to being unlike OBs and being present, yet really expect to swoop in at the 11th hour to catch your baby. In many instances they abdicated their responsibility and I strongly believe that sheer luck kept things from ending tragically for myself and my daughter.

Having a baby is a big deal, we all know that. However, having a team who will support you and…read moreguide you through your pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum is huge. I switched from my normal OBGYN to Kara and Julie when I was 15 weeks pregnant. I attended one of their open house events to get to know them more and understand their philosophy. I had such a different experience from the OBGYN office the moment I stepped in their doorway. Crowded, busy, waiting room? NOPE. Rude receptionist who has no idea who you are, NOPE. Cheese Alert Warning: Midwife Women's Wellness makes me feel at home. Their office is setup to feel homey with numerous couches, play toys for little ones, and no snarky receptionist. I met with Julie the majority of my prenatal checkups and she's my favorite little firecracker. She's honest, forthcoming, and sassy. I did see Kara a few times just in case she was the midwife on call during my delivery and she was! Kara is sweet, gentle, and encouraging. Many people use midwives to have a "natural" birth, but that was never my plan. I knew I would probably end up using an epidural, but I wanted the person delivering my precious girl to actually know my name and have a relationship with me. Yes, I delivered in a hospital. Yes, I used an epidural. But having Kara there through the whole process was amazing. Even at the hospital the day after my baby was born, a nurse commented on how impressed she was that Kara came and checked on me and spent over an hour with us. OBGYNs never do that. Much love to my two favorite midwives!

My husband and I were pregnant with our first child and weren't sure we wanted to do a home birth…read more We agreed we'd meet with Cheryl and ask questions, and we wouldn't go for it unless we both felt certain is was right. After meeting initially with Cheryl, we both were certain that we wanted not only a home birth, but her to be the midwife who helped prepare us and ultimately help us bring our son into the world. Thought there are a million reasons we'd recommend her, ill name a few big ones here: 1. Resourceful: Cheryl knows what she's talking about. She is a constant learner and goes above and beyond what is required for her CPM. Our questions were met with well thought out answers and we felt much more confident as we made our decisions on things like cord clamping, vaccinations, etc. 2. Compassionate: Cheryl cares deeply for her clients. She was a great support, and helped us process emotionally as we prepared for our birth...I hadn't anticipated that on top of our typical prenatal care. 3. Assertive: She is direct in the best way. Enough said. 4. She helps you through the waiting: i was 18 past my baby's "due date" and it was very hard. I was met with a lot of discouragement and opposition from others and Cheryl was a contact source of encouragement as we stuck to our plan to wait. 5. She was encouraging and professional as she was with us in labor. Ultimately she was exactly what we needed! Do yourself a favor and meet with Cheryl! She is so much more than a midwife to our little family

My home birth with Cheryl at Midwife KC was such a great experience! It was my first home birth, I…read morefelt like I was in good hands during my whole pregnancy and birth. I have had 3 babies at hospitals, one at a birth center and my 5th one I had a home birth with Cheryl. My home birth was my favorite experience, I enjoyed being able to labor in the comfort of my own home and have a large tub to deliver my baby and have a great midwife by my side. Cheryl was encouraging at every step along the way and she was so knowledgeable about pregnancy, labor and delivery and my newborn. If I have another baby I would definitely go back to Cheryl with midwife KC!

I was ALL THE RAVE about this birthing center. My birthing…read moreexperience with them in 2020 with my first child was magical! The facility is beautiful with large windows overlooking the woods out back, clean, serene, and located right next to my obgyn's office. The nurses & the midwife on call the night of the birth of my first son were all the sweetest. They not only offered quality care for me and my baby, but also my poor husband who was helping me manage labor pain and my sister who came to support. We gave birth to our healthy son and were offered quality care! Unfortunately, that's when the good experience ended. Our postpartum/newborn nurse who came to visit our home was as rude as ever. The lady who performed the circumcision a few days after his birth did a horrible job (too little of his foreskin was removed), and now my son may need to get a second circumcision to fix her mistake. Not to mention, it took the admin office nearly 4 weeks to get my sons medical records sent to his pediatrician (something that could have been completed with a simple email or fax). Still, my natural birthing experience was soo good that I opted to give birth to my second here! I went into the office and registered with the front desk right after my 8-week prenatal check-up! I even went in once a month (after each of my obgyn appointments) just to make sure they had everything they needed from me (signed paperwork, offered my insurance info, and even changed my insurance provider for them to ensure I could get coverage for all their services), only to find out at week 35 of pregnancy that I wasn't registered. Apparently, they are now TOO full to accept me! Upon conversing with their office manager, the best they can do for me now is to tell me THE DAY I GO INTO LABOR whether they have space for me or not. Now at 36 weeks pregnant, I am being rushed to register at a hospital. Never again.

I am so thankful I found New Birth Company! The quality of care is top notch. I always felt like my…read moreconcerns were being taken serious and I never left feeling uneasy. It is one of the only places around to offer water births which I encourage everyone to try. I will always choose new birth company over a hospital if I have the option.

Blissful beginnings doula service is an excellent service. I had support from the moment I met Mrs…read more Janice Ingram. She is a delightful woman who knows as much as she can about the field of birth care and postpartum support. She's honest and straightforward she won't just tell you what you want to hear but what you need to hear. Janice's team is like a tight knit family and she has many resources to lean on if she needs it. She is kind and patient. I am glad that I chose blissful beginnings doula service to support my family and advocate for my birth plan. Janice was there for me through and through and made sure I had a strong and capable doula by my side while I birthed my baby boy for a second successful VBAC. Delia was my doula for labor and she was excellent. Delia supported my husband and I while we worked together in harmony to bring my baby home safely and empowered me to finish strong naturally. If you don't decide to proceed with a doula Janice still provides a very thorough Birth/Postpartum Health class that will empower and educate you to help you make the best informed decisions for your birth plan. I highly recommend blissful beginnings for your next birth!

From the owner: Offering services to new moms, moms of multiples, and unique family situations for birth,…read morepostpartum, sibling care, and meal planning. Childbirth classes offered 2 Saturdays a month. Go to website for full list of offerings.