I gave birth to my first baby this past April. I was hoping for a natural birth, and while I did a lot of research, I was still nervous and unsure if I would be able to deliver without medication. We were admitted to Labor & Delivery. I was 5 cm dilated. Mari helped us in precare and helped me get settled. She was positive and friendly from the start and when I shared that I hoped for a natural birth she lit up! She shared that she loved helping women have natural births and started encouraging me right then to “push for that natural birth.”

Through my entire labor, Mari helped me with different positions and showed my husband how he could support me through contractions. In addition to that, she had so many tips and tricks she shared to help me through labor. She was so affirming verbally throughout. Her words of encouragement and belief in me really helped me continue without medication. She even brought in special lights, put on chill music, and remembered to take photos after our River was born. We will forever have those sweet memories and I was able to have the natural birth I wanted because of her!

After our delivery, we found out Mari is training to be a midwife. I know she’ll be amazing! My husband and I both are so grateful for the ways she supported us, made us felt cared for, and empowered. She was truly a blessing and we are so thankful to have been paired with her. She really went above and beyond and left us with such a positive first birth experience!