A Midwife's Birth Story at Denver Health

Over the years, I’ve had the joy of documenting several midwives’ birth stories. These are women that I know professionally. Women I’ve watched care for other families in our community with such grace, compassion, and skill. When I’m then invited to document their own births…well there aren’t words to describe how special it is to see them in this different role.

And of course, so often…these midwives are supported by their sister midwives. Women who work with them and beside them.

I met Vanessa back at Mountain Midwifery Center (many years ago!) and I was so excited to hear she was pregnant with their first baby. As many of you know, Mountain Midwifery closed several years ago…and so now Vanessa was taking care of families at Denver Health. Denver Health is located in the heart of the city and has an incredible midwifery practice. Many homebirth midwives choose to transfer clients to Denver Health because the staff theree are kind, competent, and respectful of their client’s choices. Vanessa planned on giving birth at the hospital she worked at - with the support of both her friends and colleagues.

Most midwives and birth workers know that first births can be long - a marathon - and I find that my midwife clients always go into birth very well prepared for a long journey. But not all first births are long - and I’ve surprisingly had three midwives give birth in the last year very, very quickly. The same was true with Vanessa!

I got called in on Sunday morning, during a beautiful Spring Colorado snowstorm, because Vanessa was progressing fast - she was almost ready to push! I made the thankfully quick drive to Denver Health, and found her laboring in the bathroom. She was working through each surge with such strength and grace - but they were coming fast and strong. It was evident it was almost time.

Her two midwife friends helped support her, as her partner was able to catch their baby. It was such a beautiful birth. Fast, powerful, full of love and connection.