Pocono News Section

Area Hospital Welcomes Midwife

Area Hospital Welcomes Midwife - Monday, May 4, 2009 at 4:20PM EST

Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Monday, May 4, 2009 @ 04:20pm EST
EAST STROUDSBURG, MONROE COUNTY - Moms-to-be can now have the benefits of a midwife and the safety of a hospital all in one. Pocono Medical Center recently hired its first midwife.

That midwife helped bring little Kaliyah into the world. Her mother Valerie Martin said, "It was definitely a blessing for me." She chose to give birth at a hospital but still wanted the support of a midwife. She found both at Pocono Medical Center.

Tracy Webber is the hospital's new Certified Nurse Midwife. "It's just the most incredible thing ever," she said. Webber told Eyewitness News it's a myth that all midwives push natural home births. She supports women who choose any type of birth experience. She explained, "I tend to be very calming, I'm not yelling push, push, push in your face. I just have a different style of practice I think." She added, "It's a very spiritual experience, being the first one to put your hands on that baby as that baby makes a transition into this world."

Webber didn't always have such a fulfilling career. She worked in the financial field for years then decided to go back to school where she learned some special skills. She said, "I tend to be more touchy feely, and massagy, and all those things that a lot of moms like."

They are skills that moms like Valerie say made a special experience even more special. Valerie said, "You feel more relaxed. You know she knows all the ins and outs of childbirth and labor so it makes you feel more comfortable.

Pocono patients can choose to have a doctor or the midwife deliver their children for the same price.