Jonnie and Marlise S., baby Janson - July 2008, 5:36 a.m.
“I had the greatest experience with Jean! My husband and I both knew we wanted to have a homebirth. It was my first baby. We had just moved to Colorado, and I was 2 1/2 months along and was searching the area for a midwife. I talked to some on the phone, but wasn't feeling that connection. My sister-in-law, who was a client of Jean's, referred me to her. The first time I talked with her I knew I had found my midwife!
The birth was a wonderful experience. It was a lot of hard work, but it was perfect! There were a few different situations that came up where Jean exhibited her knowledge and creativity! If I had been in a hospital they likely would have given me a c-section, which would have been sad because we had a normal, healthy birth. By getting creative and working with me she helped us have the birth that we wanted. I was in the comfort of my own home, with my husband there, and both of my parents also. The midwives were helpful, supportive, encouraging, and let me go at my own pace. When we needed to change up what we were doing, in laboring, they were direct but patient. I trusted Jean and felt completely comfortable with her. My Mom, who has attended about a dozen homebirths, was very impressed and complimentary of Jean. I couldn't have agreed with her more! Thank you, Jean, for all your help in bringing Janson into the world. Thank you for helping to make the birth experience exactly what we wanted and hoped for it to be!"
Aaron and Nan K., baby Ali McKaela – July 2008, 7:27 p.m.
“Thank you for another wonderful, healthy, peaceful, loving homebirth experience! I so appreciate all you do to empower me and help us have such awesome birth and pregnancy experiences. Your positive attitudes toward pregnancy and birth, as well as your many words of encouragement and confidence in me as a mother, are inspiring! Those positive words of affirmation repeated at every visit were very powerful and helpful in keeping me physically and mentally healthy. Thank you for believing in me and enabling me to be strong and birth another healthy daughter.”
Kevin and Christy C., baby Harbor - January 2008, 10:49 p.m.
“We could not have hoped for a better birth experience! Jean and her assistants were so great throughout my pregnancy and the birth of our first child.
We planned to have a “natural” hospital birth, but after attending a Bradley class, we determined that we would go with a home birth if we could find the “perfect midwife”. In a place where unnecessary medical interventions have become so common in something as natural as child birth, we were concerned that we would have spent much of our energy “fighting” for what we wanted (natural – no drugs, no needles, etc) in a hospital. Although I was pretty convinced that I wanted a home birth, I was also afraid of the idea being that it was going to be my first – for this reason, I set my standards pretty high, knowing that if we actually found someone, it truly was meant to be. After months of searching, we found Jean just three months before Harbor’s due date. We fell in love with her caring personality, her faith, and her true love and passion of what she does.
Once making the switch to prenatal care with Jean, it was a world of difference from the care we received from the OB. I was close to having a “high risk” pregnancy, but with Jean’s help we got to have the home birth we dreamed of. She put in countless additional hours of research and searched out advice from other midwives to determine what was needed to keep me and Harbor healthy. With the right combination of alternative techniques, supplements, and diet, we stayed out of the hospital. I can’t imagine how different things would have been without her hard work. There were times that I felt it would have been easier to just go back to the OB’s and have the hospital birth – that way I could have eaten what I wanted, done what I wanted, and just had the doctors deal with the consequences with meds or possibly even an emergency cesarean. Thankfully, Jean helped give me the confidence and strength that I needed to make it through to a very worthy goal!
My water broke three weeks before Harbor’s due date, and I finally started having contractions about 14 hours afterwards. I was convinced that I was going to be in labor for countless hours – days, even! We had been talking to Jean throughout the day, but I kept telling Kevin that I thought I was still in early labor. To my surprise, transition was not as bad as I expected, and it came way faster than I anticipated. We eventually called Jean and asked her to come, and when she arrived I was already dilated to a 10. In what could have been a very stressful situation, Jean remained calm and organized… she made us all feel very comfortable. She suggested positions to help the process and to make me more comfortable, and coached me and Kevin through everything that was happening. She even made an amazing catch as Harbor came barreling out unexpectedly in one push!
I am so confident in Jean, that she can handle any situation that comes her way in the best manner possible, and that she is very aware of her limits, knowing when additional help is necessary. It is so great to have someone that we can trust 100%.
Thank you, so much, Jean, for everything you’ve done for us! We can’t wait to do this all over again with you when our second comes along!”
Mitch and Amy T., baby Nathaniel James – May 2008, 5:20 pm.
“Having Jean as our midwife was wonderful. It was the best decision that we could have made regarding our birth. She is very knowledgeable, experienced and caring. She brings a great deal of confidence for everybody to the birth helping you get through the tough spots when you don’t think you are going to make it. I had a hospital birth with our first son and a homebirth with our second, I highly recommend the homebirth with Jean—she’s awesome.”
Jerry and Megan M., baby Madelyn Elizabeth – July 2008, 9:05 a.m.
“My birth experience was amazing and everything that I had wanted. A long, painful back labor was comforted by two wonderful people, Jean and Jen, and Christine was a calm help during the delivery. We had a beautiful water birth! I could not have done it without you— I'm truly grateful.”
John and Sarah J., baby John Paul– March 2008, 6:08 p.m.
Recently our second child (our son) was born. When pregnant with our first child (our daughter), we decided to use a hospital for the birth. With our second, we decided to try having a home birth. Because we have experienced both, we were constantly comparing the two. Our preference now is decidedly for a home birth. Here are some of the comparisons we drew between our obstetrician and our midwife and also between the hospital and our home.
First, our appointments were an hour long. The appointments with the OB were usually 10 minutes long, not including the time spent waiting for the doctor. The extra time with Jean allowed us to develop a good relationship with her, and also to learn more about what to do during the pregnancy.
During the entire first pregnancy Sarah suffered from nausea. Neither the OB nor our family doctor had any effective advice for dealing with it. Jean was determined that Sarah should not be feeling nauseated and suggested changes in diet that solved the problem. Overall there was a marked difference in the focus of the obstetrician versus that of Jean. The OB seemed to care more about his own convenience while Jean demonstrated concern for Sarah's well being and comfort. One example of this that stands out was when the OB was late for the birth of our daughter and the nurses had to help Sarah keep from pushing until he arrived. Jean not only arrived in plenty of time, but she sent her assistant to be with Sarah before any of us were sure the labor was going to progress.
Having the birth at home was also a big improvement over the hospital.
Even though the hospital tried to make the birthing room comfortable, all of the equipment and the focus on sterility made it unpleasant. Being able to have the birth in the familiar surroundings of our bedroom helped Sarah to relax and made the birth seem easier. At the hospital, Sarah was not allowed to eat anything due to the possibility of her needing anesthesia. At home, she was encouraged to eat so she could keep up her strength.
Even though we had not planned on having a water birth, our son ended up being born in our bathtub. This was a possibility that Jean had suggested and it turned out to be a wonderful experience.
Our family (the grandparents) also found the home setting to be much nicer than the hospital. They were able to relax and use the kitchen, instead of having to sit in an uncomfortable waiting room. They were also able to help watch our daughter in an environment she is used to and still be present at the birth.
After the birth, Sarah got to be with our son from the start. She was able to feed him right away, and we both spent some quiet time alone with him during his first hours. The necessary examinations were postponed until several hours after the birth, instead of having the baby taken away immediately as our daughter was at the hospital.
Josh and Amy R., baby Gideon - March 2006, 1:07 a.m.
A Dad's Point of View
On March 10th, my wife and I had our first child. Well, my wife had our first child, and I was the cheering section. I should mention here our child was born in our bedroom. When we first got pregnant and my wife brought up the idea that she wanted to have a home birth, I panicked. After fully educating myself over the next six months, I became very comfortable with the idea of having my child at home. I am now so grateful that we did. We actually had a birthing experience instead of a birthing medical procedure. When my wife went into labor, she was able to go through it in the comfort of our home, take a walk at one point, play Scrabble, and she was able to rest in her own bed. Her mother and sister were there as well, and they were comfortable as they watched TV 
and played games. Once the baby was born he and mom were able to bond, and mom was able to relax in her own bedroom on her bed. Jean and Lauren continually putt my first-time-father mind at ease during my unsure moments, and were very knowledgeable when it was game time. The baby was born with picture perfect health and Lord willing, we will have all of our children at home.
Karen and Neal W., baby Naomi - June 2001
“We just wanted to thank you for everything that you did to help get Naomi here in such a special way. You opened up a door of incredible possibilities, that we may never have known existed. You stood by us and you kept our vision for her birth in front of us. Thank you for your persistence and for your patience. Naomi’s birth was definitely an experience that will affect the rest of our lives. We learned to trust God like never before.
Paul and Barbara G., baby Isabella - January 2006, 11:56 a.m.
Barbara's journal entry:
“Yes, it was painful. Yes it was hard. Major things in life usually are…and they make you that much stronger. But it was a healthy pain. Pain with a purpose, and it happened in the most warm, love-filled, caring environment. My home. My nest. My safe home with the caring heart and hands of my midwife.
By embracing natural childbirth, I embraced the idea of trusting my body’s ability to deal with childbirth naturally. I have learned so much about my body~ what an amazing body it really is and how uniquely equipped it is to journey through pregnancy and birth. It’s ability to adapt and change with purpose. I have so much more respect and honor for women and their bodies…we truly are amazing creatures.
This deliberate choice to have a natural home birth freed me of so many fears. I wasn’t scared of the pain…I was more curious as to what it would feel like. And I knew I was not going to be alone. The support of my husband and midwife made me feel fearless. The pain seized me. So intense. It was nothing like I have ever felt in my life. But it was mine. My pain to experience and own. Mine, in order to birth my daughter Isabella in to the world in the safest and healthiest way.
To have had drugs in me to reduce the pain would have been denying me a true birthing experience, one full of strength and power. I can’t imagine not being able to move freely or being foggy headed or numb. I was free…free to experience the most amazing, challenging experience of my life. I was able to move how my body dictated, how instinct dictated. I felt centered, even through the pain, and now it is such a memory. The pain is gone, but the empowerment of going through it is still there.
The honor of it all, the honor that was mine to alone to have. I feel like I would have cheated myself if I had done it any other way…if I had not chosen the pain to be part 
of the process. And the process was to let my labor, and Isabella’s birth, just Be.
My wish for women is that they not do what I did blindly, but that they not go through their pregnancy and labor blindly. That they take responsibility for their choices and their body and baby. That they research all the options, then decide after all the information is gathered and processed. That their choice is an informed one—not something thrust upon them by society as “normal”, when there really isn’t anything normal about it. Birth is beautiful…and natural.
My day meeting my little girl Isabella was magical to me. We did it together. That bright day full of sunshine my little light was born, and it is beautiful. It will always hold me in wonder. The most beautiful day of my life.”
Photos courtesy of Peggy Dyer Photography
Mark and Elizabeth D., baby Julianna Joy - August 2005, 4:32 a.m.
We searched and searched for a midwife. Jean was just what we were looking for! She was willing to go the extra miles for us. She spent lots of extra time on the phone and doing paper work for us, because of our situation. One thing we loved about Jean was her love for midwifery. At my prenatal visits, my husband and I always enjoyed watching her feel my tummy as she checked for the baby. Her face would light up as she felt our baby's head, bottom, legs, and arms. She rejoiced with us as a friend. I felt loved and cared for. Jean is very knowledgeable and explained everything we didn't understand. We recommend her highly!
Matt and Kathleen D., baby Kaitlin Marie - September 2005, 12:54 a.m.
"My homebirth experience with Jean was truly a joy. After having 2 children in a hospital setting, I can honestly say that having my 3rd child at home was so much more enjoyable in so many different ways. For one, my other children were able to be a part of welcoming the new baby as soon as they awoke the next morning, and sleeping in my own bed that very night was much easier on my husband and me. He swears he will never go back to sleeping on a hospital couch! The laboring and birthing was also much more comfortable at home because my body, mind, and spirit were at ease. I loved that my children were always welcome at every prenatal appointment and the environment was always relaxed, casual, and not rushed. There was always time to talk about any issues or concerns either Jean or I had. I would highly recommend the homebirth experience with Jean!"
Danny and Charlene G., baby Miriam Rose - January 2006, 5:10 a.m.
After having four hospital births that were all good experiences, my husband and I decided to homebirth. We felt after doing some research that this would be an even better experience for us and our new baby. We were excited about bonding with our 
newborn in ways that hospital protocol just doesn't really allow. For various reasons and in the name of 'safety', many of our births at the hospital were followed with times of temporary separation, to keep the baby warm or monitored in the nursery. We desperately wanted to avoid this.
However, I was increasingly anxious about birthing without an epidural. I did not choose home birthing so I could have a natural childbirth, I had never birthed without drugs. During one of my prenatal visits with Jean I brought up this concern. From then forward she and her assistant Lauren talked me through the incredible benefits of natural childbirth. 
They constantly encouraged me and reminded me that my body was made to do this. My reasons for home birthing began to expand as I learned that this would be a much better birthing experience for my baby as well as bonding experience.
My husband and I were also able to take Jean's home birthing class. I couldn't believe the things I learned even though I had already had four children! We learned birthing at home is VERY different than birthing in the hospital. We were fully prepared for the procedures that would or would not follow the birth of our new baby. It was amazing how much we were a part of the birthing process. We loved Jean because she wanted to accommodate our wishes before, during and after delivery. Yet during delivery I remember her knowing my needs really before I did, sometimes firmly requesting I would drink something more than just water during labor, she knew what would help me the most.
Having our baby at home was the most incredible experience. We were able to welcome her into our home, into our family and into our hearts simultaneously. Today when I think back, I am overwhelmed that my daughter has blessed our home and family since her very first breath.
I believe every woman who has no health concerns should be encouraged to birth at home. It is absolutely the best thing anyone can do for themselves, their new baby and their family. If I can birth without an epidural, anyone can. Millions and millions of women have!
Adam and Cristina H., baby Elijah - September 2005, 1:33 a.m.
When I was a little scared it was the best feeling knowing you were praying for our care. We want to thank you for your passion for what you 
do, and that brought such joy to the whole pregnancy and delivery. Thank you so much for the best delivery we have ever had. You brought back such joy and excitement that in a way had been stolen from us in our previous deliveries.
Aaron and Nan K., baby Breanne - March 2006, 4:20 a.m.
Nan’s comments:
After having our first baby in a Hospital with a certified nurse-midwife, we decided that birth, as great as it was in the hospital, could be even MORE amazing and comfortable in our home. We moved from Utah to Colorado in my fourth month of pregnancy and had already decided we wanted Jean to be our midwife; I felt a 
connection and understanding with her over the phone and totally agreed with her birth philosophy as explained on her website. Throughout the prenatal care and birth classes, I felt even more confident that Jean would help us have the birth experience we wanted. She has a close relationship with God and knows how to let Him guide her. She has the wisdom, confidence, and ability to see specific needs in each client and offer much needed advice and guidance. She and her assistant Lauren Fitch make a great team; their individual expertise compliments each other perfectly.
When the night of the birth came, I felt complete confidence that with the help of Jean, Lauren, and my supportive husband, Aaron, everything would go wonderfully. I went into labor at around 11:00 p.m. and at 2:00 a.m. asked Aaron to call Jean because contractions were coming closer and harder and I knew we would need her sometime that morning. Jean arrived 20 minutes later and Lauren was just five minutes behind her. When Jean came inside and up to our room where we were, she leaned over and looked at me with this huge smile. I thought, “How can someone be so happy after being woken up at 2:00 a.m. to drive here in the 20 degree weather!?” Jean and Lauren set everything up for the birth as I labored on the birth ball with Aaron supporting me. I got on the bed for a change of position and for the first and last time throughout prenatal care and labor, Jean checked me for dilation. I was already to 9 cm and felt very encouraged and strengthened at the thought that I was so close to meeting our baby. Time seemed to pass easily and smoothly. My water broke about an hour before birth and it felt relieving and refreshing. During the final stages of labor I was allowed to follow my instinct and change position as many times as I wanted. Jean, Lauren, and Aaron just helped me do what I felt I needed to do and watched patiently as the miracle of birth took place. I ended up birthing Breanne on my knees with my upper body supported by the birth ball and Aaron. I loved listening to the quiet exchange of words between Jean, Lauren, and Aaron. I 
kept hearing Jean say, “She is doing SO well” and Aaron repeating softly into my ear, “You are doing SO well, we will meet our baby soon!” Breanne’s head came out and there was a bit of a pause before her body came. Jean asked me to lift my leg up to the side and as soon as I did, Breanne’s arm slid out, followed by the rest of her body. I lied on my side and Jean immediately handed Breanne to me. Aaron announced “A girl!” and we both got SO excited and giddy at the sight of our first daughter. The next two hours were filled with plenty of bonding time between Breanne, Aaron, and me. Breanne nursed well shortly after birth and also loved being cuddled next to her daddy’s bare chest. We were SO grateful for the perfect timing of the birth. Her brother Abe slept through the labor and woke up at 6:30 a.m. to meet his new baby sister! It was like Christmas morning, he kept saying “Baby Sister!” over and over again.
Compared to my experience in the hospital, homebirth was SO much more comfortable, empowering, and peaceful. No drugs, no fear, no tearing, very little blood loss, and lots of bonding and joy! I am SO grateful for Jean and her dedication and love of midwifery. She provided us with unsurpassable care.
Aaron’s Comments:
Having our baby in our home was at least 10 times better than the experience we had in the hospital. Granted it was our second birth and so naturally it would tend to be an easier experience, but the overall experience was so much better at home. We had NONE of the annoyances that we experienced in the hospital with our first birth. There was no IV hooked up to Nan at all times; no midwife checking Nan for dilation every half hour and stressing out when there was no progression; there was no penicillin burning Nan’s arm because the nurse couldn’t figure out how to use the IV; there wasn’t even the consideration of inducing Nan with drugs. We avoided all together the hassle and stress of packing up and rushing off to the hospital, and checking in, and all of that. Instead our fantastic midwife Jean rushed to our home when the time was ready. We were in the comfort of our own bedroom! It was awesome to watch Nan birth how she wanted to and see our daughter born on our bed! There is just no comparison with that and a hospital. It was so much more comfortable, and so I think that had a lot to do with Nan’s ease of birth. She was not stressed or worried about anything, and there were no ridiculous hospital policies imposed upon us. And I’m comparing our experience to a very good hospital 
experience with a natural birth and a birth plan where most of everything went the way we wanted it. I can only imagine with dread the experience a lot of people have in the hospital. At our homebirth, everything went the way we hoped it would and it was awesome! Jean and Lauren were extremely helpful. They did nothing to stress Nan out and cause her to worry, instead they were 100% positive and encouraging, and I believe that also played a major part in the ease of the birth and the positive experience. Overall the comfort, the privacy, the lack of public hospital germs, being waited on in our own home, and the ease of being able to stay at home and just live our normal daily life made our homebirth experience a wonderful one.
Jennifer and Keppen L., baby Jay - February 2004, and baby Karson - June 17, 2006
“We want you to know how appreciative we are, even still, of all the help and advice you have given us over the past two years. We had a pretty good idea of how we wanted our baby to be delivered and then of course how we wanted to parent such a sweet little life. Along the way though, you have lead us to what we think are 
better decisions and in some cases just cemented what we believed was right. Everyday we understand our roles better as parents but the first year is especially challenging. We do appreciate your guidance. Thank you and God bless you and your family.”
Heather and Bill L., baby Joshua - October 2003, 8:42 a.m.
In using you as my midwife, I enjoyed your organization, efficiency, and friendship, as well as the ability to have my babies at home in an as-relaxed-as-possible manner, with no worries about safety. I also appreciated your encouraging me in periods of frustration and uncertainty (not necessarily related to birth) and helping me find solutions to pregnancy-related issues in a relaxed and efficient manner (which helped me to relax). The solutions you gave me for finding physical comfort were also very useful and appreciated. Moving to another state in the middle of my third pregnancy with you was really difficult, 
emotionally, for me, but even then you offered encouragement and help which led to my finding quality care and calming my fears of the unknown in my new town. You also gave me good records which helped my new midwife know my pregnancy history, so she could serve me well despite taking over for only the last two months. We're pleased to have the privilege of having had your first "official" birth.
