When I was asked to write a birth story for this newsletter, I did not know where to begin. I guess that I will start with nine years ago on January 9, 1992. When I had my first son Cody. I was only 21 years old and did not know where to go. Someone suggested the midwives. I did not know much about them, but over 9 years and 4 children I know who they are now. They are wonderful people. I was so scared when I had my first son. Gretchen made me feel so comfortable and tried to ease my pain. After 18 hours of labor, he was born. Then on December 22, 1993, I had my first daughter, Ashley. She was 12 hours long and I had back labor. Again Gretchen was by my side to help me. My third child came along on September 23, 1998, a son, Calvin Michael. I called the midwives again and said, "I want you to deliver my baby". My second son was rough. My water broke at 1:30AM and I called them. They said to go ahead and get a shower, take care of getting your two other children to the sitter and that they will meet me at the hospital. I was scared because it had to be induced to get him out. Gretchen was there again for me telling me everything will be fine. 18 hours later, Calvin came to us. My fourth child came to us just on February 26, 2001. I called at 9:30 in the morning and said that I thought I was in labor. Gretchen said to call your husband home form work and go into the office to be checked. I was 2cm. I went home and labored until 5PM and then went back into the office. They said that I better head over to the hospital. Around 9:44PM my second daughter, Alicia came into the world. Without Sandy, Nancy and Gretchen I do not think I would have enjoyed the births of my four children. I have allot of gratitude for the midwives. I just want to say "Thank you to them all, but I want o say a very special Thank You to Gretchen for she has delivered all four of my children. I would not have done it any other way. I am probably not going to have any more, so I guess the moral of my story is, I made the right choice 9 years ago. If anyone has doubts about the midwives, DON'T. They make the birth experience a very good one. Thanks for a wonderful nine years and for helping me bring my four beautiful children into the world.

Matthew & Karen Fine