Jeremy's mom-Terrie, Irma's brother- Arturas, Jeremy's sister-Jodi, Jeremy, baby Gwen and Irma

A Family is Born

     Irma is from Lithuania, where home birth is not the norm. She came under Katia's care early in pregnancy and had the advantage of many prenatal visits and a well established relationship with her midwife.  Her family was supportive throughout the pregnancy, the birth and the postpartum.  Here is Irma's story:

    When Katia came into my life I didn’t have a doctor.  She was very nice and sweet and after a couple weeks we decided that we wanted Katia to be our midwife. I couldn’t ask for better prenatal care. I was very comfortable with her and was never shy to ask her any question.  
     At first I was a little nervous about having a baby at the house but Katia let me know all the details about home birth and also said that if there were any serious problems we would go to the hospital immediately.                                   When my labor started it was so nice being at home.  When my contractions started I laid in the bathtub for awhile, then I felt like being on my knees, and then resting my head on the bed.  I went back and forth as I pleased without anyone telling me what to do.   At that time Katia was in our house from the start of the active labor to the end.   She handled everything so well!!!   Katia was very calm and she knew what she was doing at the birth.

           Katia, Irma and Gwen.   

    After the baby came out all the pain disappeared and I was so glad to hold her in my arms.  Within a couple of hours everyone left and I was able to sleep in my own bed with my new baby.  We are thinking about having another baby in two to three years and we will definitely have a home birth again. In fact we want to have another baby with Katia’s care again. Having a home birth was the best experience in my life.                                            The above story is not an exaggeration. This is what I told my friends and anyone that ask me about my home birth.                ______________________________

     Ann Mercer, MD with her most recent granddaughter

A True Family Affair 

   Dr. Mercer, known by her family as Mama Osa, is the mother of ten children, nine born at home and the grandmother of six, five born at home.  Besides being a mother and grandmother, she has been practicing internal medicine for twenty-five years.  She is a mentor to many students, including Katia.  She is also an educator and the founder of the Mercer School.  Most important of all is that Dr. Mercer is a friend.

   Katia had the honor of being the midwife for Dr. Mercer's eldest daughter Deana.  In 1996, Allen, Dr. Mercer's first grandchild was born at home.  

      A recent photo of Deana with her son Allen

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TEENS ARE AWESOME!                    

   Some of the most amazing births arewith teen moms.   With good family support and guidance from her midwife, a teen mom has the opportunity to have a strong, healthy baby born at home.

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COMING SOON:                                        Mother and Daughter Births 

   There have been homebirth moms who have called asking Katia to assist at their daughter's birth. This makes the family even closer.  To date Katia has not delivered any babies of babies she has caught, but some of those baby girls are coming of age soon!

This is a picture of Mom and daughter and their babies born at home.