“My midwife, Paige Swales, was with me every step of the way during labor," said Boulder resident Chelsea Jackson, 31, about the recent birth of her son, Iver.

"From texting throughout the morning to the moment our little one arrived, Paige was calm and collected and held the space for me to bring this baby out into the world."

Chelsea, her husband Rob Jackson, and big brother Owen, age 2, welcomed Iver on December 3, 2017 at the Family Birth Center at Foothills Hospital.

She credits BCH Certified Nurse Midwife Paige Swales for helping her achieve her personal goal of giving birth without pain-relief interventions.

"Just when I was about to give up and ask for medication, Paige and my doula kept me going," she said. "Within one hour of getting to the hospital I was holding my baby in my arms."

“Paige and I clicked right away," she said, "You develop a comfort level so you’re more likely to share more personal information. Midwives inherently care about both mother and baby. They focus on mom’s experience of pregnancy and childbirth.”

Boulder Women's Care offers women the opportunity to birth in Boulder at Foothills Hospital with either experienced OB/GYNs or certified nurse midwives.

Midwifes generally treat moms with low-risk pregnancies, so view birth as a natural process.“I love asking questions and really getting to know patients,” Swales said. “I see my role as being a guide and educator for moms through pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. And during labor, midwives are all about supporting women, keeping their wishes and goals in mind and helping them have a happy and healthy birth.”

"The Family Birth Center made us feel special, although I’m sure they treat every family with the same warmth and care," said Chelsea, who owns a local documentary film company with her husband.

"It was as if the nurses were old friends. I was able to relax and get rest while they made sure my baby and I were comfortable. I would have stayed longer if I could! I cannot recommend Boulder Community Health enough."

(Photo credit: Photographer Kate Broussard.)

To learn more about the full range of maternity services at BCH’s Foothills Hospital, visit bch.org/baby. To schedule an appointment with Boulder Women’s Care, call 303-441-0587 or 303-415-5235.