Renee's Story: Celebrate Your Midwife for International Midwives' Day 2025!
/Transitions Doula Renee shares her experiences with midwifery care, in honor of International Midwives’ Day, which is May 5th, 2025.
Read her story below, and see an opportunity to recognize your midwife for a special Midwifery Day surprise!
doula renee forred and her family. photo by paige goldade photography.
When I was expecting my second baby in back in 2013, I knew I needed more patient-focused care for the pregnancy and birth. I started exploring the idea of utilizing midwifery services, and found that these visits were much more emotionally in depth and supportive. I never felt rushed out of the office, and “healthy baby, healthy mom” at delivery wasn’t their only goal.
I’d found my people!
doula renee with her second child, born in 2013
Those were the incredible midwives at Avera McKennan. Teri Vander Stouwe was my provider, and I also had the privilege of meeting and learning about the entire midwifery team. At that time the team was Teri, Lisa VanGerpen, Audra DeGroot, and Courtney Heynen.
Audra was my midwife for the birth of my second, a sweet boy (who is now almost 12!). I look back so fondly at that birth experience. I was fully supported, cared for, and nurtured. I remember Audra telling me I was almost complete and I excitedly said, “Audra, I could kiss you right now!” 😆😘 That labor and birth was so different than the first. There were moments of laughter, lots of affirmation, and a joy that will forever live in my memory.
doula renee on her due date, while pregnant with her third in 2015
My third came in 2015. After a loss in 2014, which Teri lovingly supported me through, I was an anxious patient. They welcomed me in when I just needed to hear a heartbeat between visits, hugged me when I felt overwhelmed, and always provided the reassurance I needed to hear.
That labor was just as wonderful as my second! Audra was again on call, which my husband and I were thrilled about. Our daughter, now 9, was born on a beautiful December morning, shortly after a blizzard had ended.
Between our third and fourth, our insurance changed, and I had to choose a Sanford provider. I was nervous about switching birth locations, but I knew they had fabulous midwives. By this time, I’d been practicing as a doula for three years, and had a good idea of what I wanted in a birth experience.
My primary midwife was Erin Vande Lune, and if you know Erin, you know what genuine support feels like. I also got to know Sarah Roe, Terry Englemann, and Hannah Sammons during my prenatal visits. I’ll never forget when I was suffering from prenatal depression, and Hannah held my hand while I cried, and reassured me that it would all be okay.
doula renee in the birth tub, holding her fourth baby. doula kelsie said, “you’re so powerful!” midwife mary clamping the umbilical cord.
Mary Warner was my midwife on the early morning our sweet baby boy was born (now 5!). She helped facilitate the hands-off water birth experience I can only describe as magical, and our family became complete.
In the midst of preparing for our fourth baby, we explored the idea of homebirth. At that time, our only option was to utilize the support services of Promise Community Health in Sioux Center, Iowa. We met with the amazing Keri Ney and Belinda Lassin, and could tell the experience would be incredible. We ultimately decided to stay with the hospital option because of the distance. My labors were fast! I trusted my gut, and I was grateful I did when our fourth was born within 2 hours.
Some of these incredible women are practicing exactly where they were all those years ago, and many have moved on to different roles. I’m so grateful for the support I received as a midwifery patient over the course of my childbearing years, and I want to wish all midwives (but especially the ones above!) a very happy International Midwives’ Day!
You deserve all the kudos!
- Renee
🎉 Celebrate Your Midwife: A Special Giveaway for International Midwives Day! 🎉
Midwives guide us through some of life’s most powerful, vulnerable, and transformative moments — now it’s our turn to lift them up.
In honor of International Midwives Day on May 5th, 2025, we’re rolling out a celebration full of love, gratitude, and one beautiful surprise… and you get to be a part of it!
💐 Nominate a Midwife. Share Your Story. Make Their Day.
Do you have a midwife who changed your life? Someone whose calm presence, skilled hands, and compassionate heart made all the difference during your birth journey? Whether they stood by you in labor, held your hand through the hard parts, or simply made you feel seen — we want to hear about them.
We’re collecting your stories to celebrate midwives across our community and beyond. It’s quick, meaningful, and oh-so-worth it.
💝 How It Works:
Fill out our nomination form and tell us why your midwife is amazing.
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook at @transitionsdoula to see your nominations shared.
One lucky midwife will be chosen to receive a stunning flower arrangement delivered right to their clinic, birth center, or office!
🎁 Nominations close Saturday, May 3rd at 11:59 p.m.
🌸 Winner will be announced on May 5th!
Giveaway is open to midwives practicing in or around Sioux Falls, SD. But anyone, anywhere, can be nominated and celebrated!
💬 Need Inspiration?
Tell us how your midwife made a difference — big or small. Maybe it was their steady voice during contractions, their thoughtful check-ins, or their infectious laugh that got you through. Whatever it was, we want to hear your story.
Let’s celebrate the midwives who pour so much love into our families, one birth at a time. 💕
📝 Nominate your midwife today and help us spread some joy this May!