Home Birth Midwifery: Tradition, Evidence, and Care — Coming Together

Home birth midwifery is not new to Wisconsin, or to the Fox Valley. Long before hospitals were the primary place for birth, babies were born at home with midwives in their communities. These midwives often knew families across generations, they understood the rhythms of normal labor, and they stayed close enough to recognize when a birth needed more support.

I hold deep respect for that history. My work is rooted in the traditional wisdom found in midwifery – presence, patience, and deep respect for physiology – thoughtfully balanced with modern clinical tools when they are needed. I believe time-honored midwifery wisdom and evidence-based care aren’t at odds – they work together to support safety, trust, and well-being for mothers and their babies.

Historically, midwifery has always evolved. As birth moved into hospitals in the early twentieth century, many lives were saved through advances in emergency care, surgery, and infection control, particularly in true obstetric emergencies. But this shift also reframed birth as something inherently risky, something that needed to be managed, timed, and controlled. Midwives were pushed aside, not because their care was ineffective, but because systems of power, regulation, and professional hierarchy changed.

Despite these shifts, midwifery continued – quietly, adapting. Over time, research began to catch up with what midwives had long observed: support, patience, and respect for physiologic birth makes a significant difference in both experience and outcomes.

Modern home birth midwifery looks very different from the stereotypes people often imagine. It involves intentional screening, informed consent, ongoing assessment, and clear criteria for when additional care is recommended. It is not about rejecting hospital care or minimizing risk. It is about thoughtful selection, preparation, and readiness – providing care in the home setting when it is appropriate, while maintaining clear plans and pathways should a higher level of care become necessary.

Home birth midwifery isn’t a trend. It’s one of the oldest forms of healthcare there is – reshaped and refined by each generation.

My approach is a balance: honoring physiologic birth, staying humble to what we can’t control, and using modern tools when they genuinely improve safety. That means I’ll bring herbs and comfort measures and I’ll bring medication. I’ll encourage movement and nourishment and I’ll start an IV if it’s clinically indicated. I’ll support the natural unfolding of labor and I’ll recommend transfer when that’s the safest next step. Oxygen, IV fluids, and medications are part of responsible home birth care. Protocols are not rigid rules – they are tools that support clear thinking, especially in moments when decisions need to be made efficiently. 

Practicing in a new community has reinforced for me that birth care works best when it is

collaborative rather than divided. Community birth and hospital birth are not opposing models – they are different settings within the same broader goal of healthy mothers and babies. 

At its heart, midwifery is about relationship. It is about showing up consistently, listening carefully, and building trust over time. It’s about respecting autonomy while also being honest and direct when safety concerns arise. I don’t see myself as practicing “alternative” care. I practice midwifery as it has always been meant to be practiced: grounded in tradition, informed by evidence, and responsive to the real needs of the people I serve.

Birth doesn’t need ideology. It needs skilled hands, clear thinking, and deep respect for physiology, for safety, and for families.

As I continue to settle into practice here in Wisconsin, my goal is to offer home birth care that honors the long tradition of midwifery while staying aligned with current evidence and safety standards. If you’re a Fox Valley family exploring your options, asking questions, or simply wanting to learn more about what home birth midwifery can look like in this area, let’s talk!