"Having four kids before coming to My Family Birth Center, we always felt like something was missing from each birth. With our first, we went in completely uninformed, doing exactly what the doctor told us. It felt rushed, and afterward, Emily said she felt like she'd been hit by a bus — everything hurt. With our second, the doctor we planned on didn’t even show up, and we spent the whole day waiting for the baby to come after being induced. By the time we had our third, we tried Hypnobirthing and went natural at the hospital. But that was one of the worst experiences. We had to check in at the ER in the middle of the night, surrounded by people with broken bones and coughing. They didn’t believe she was in labor until they realized she was already at a seven. Even then, we had to fight the staff to let her labor in the tub. It was a constant battle to get what we wanted, and after the birth, they left her alone in a dark room for two hours without me or the baby. That was traumatic.” “We knew after that we couldn’t go back to a hospital. We wanted a peaceful childbirth, not one full of interventions and stress. When we found My Family Birth Center, we knew we were in the right place. From the moment we walked in, it felt peaceful and calm. We could bring our kids to appointments, and it felt like coming home.”
I think my favorite part was stepping out of the car, walking across the sidewalk, and having Loretta waiting for us with everything ready. We’ve had all our babies in the middle of the night, and it was so comforting to know everything was prepped, cozy, and conducive to having a baby.
In the hospital, I was usually on the sidelines, but at the birth center, I was part of the process. I even got to catch our fifth child, something no one had ever offered before. Loretta just said, ‘You’re going to catch, right?’ And I thought, ‘Yeah, I am!’ That experience of being involved, of not feeling like a spectator, was life-changing.
Emily’s favorite part was leaving the birth center after just a few hours and having the team come to our house for follow-up care. There’s something incredible about being in your own space, with your baby, without the clinical atmosphere of a hospital. After our third birth, I remember having to go to therapy for years to process the trauma. But after our birth center experience, it was healing — not just for Emily, but for both of us.
The birth center experience brought us closer together. We weren’t separated by hospital protocols. I had my baby in my arms, and I had Emily in my arms. That bonding was unlike anything we’d experienced before. I felt more support here than I ever did in a hospital — continuous support, not just someone popping in and out of the room. Even during COVID, when restrictions were everywhere, they made us feel like family.
Loretta even made me breakfast when I was starving in the middle of it all. That’s the level of care you get here. It’s not just medical care; it’s personal. You feel welcome, supported, and comfortable.
I’m passionate about helping women realize they have options. You don’t have to follow the hospital’s protocols like a factory assembly line. You can educate yourself, understand what your body is capable of, and have a peaceful, empowering birth experience.
And guys — don’t be afraid to be involved. I had more support and felt more included here than I ever did in a hospital. It’s a different kind of birth experience, one that brings families together. For us, it was life-changing, and we’re forever grateful for it.