Samantha’s Birth Story: How Midwifery Care Helped Her Welcome Her Son

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Samantha grew up in Jamaica, where midwives often guide women through pregnancy and birth. When her pregnancy with Samuel became difficult and labor did not go as planned, Mandy Dalhover, Certified Nurse Midwife at St. Elizabeth Physicians Women’s Health, gave Samantha the guidance, encouragement and calm presence she needed to keep going.

Key Takeaways

• Samantha chose midwifery care because of her positive birth experience in Jamaica.
• Midwifery care gives families room to make a birth plan, ask questions and adjust when labor changes.
• Mandy helped Samantha stay calm and focused when labor became intense.

“You’ve Got This”: How Midwifery Care Helped Samantha Deliver Her Son

Choosing a midwife at St. Elizabeth felt natural to Samantha. She grew up in Jamaica, where midwives often serve as the main providers women see during pregnancy and birth. That’s where she had her first baby eight years ago, and the experience stayed with her.

“Midwives are very hands-on, and they understand what you need,” says Samantha, who moved to Northern Kentucky with her husband, Calvin, in 2022. “I knew I wanted a nurse midwife when I got pregnant with my son, and that’s why I went with St. Elizabeth.”

A Hard Pregnancy and a Changing Birth Plan

Samantha saw different nurse midwives at St. Elizabeth Women’s Health for her prenatal care. She shared her desire to have a natural birth experience and have Calvin present for the birth at the Family Birth Place at St. Elizabeth Edgewood.

Her baby continued to grow, but Samantha struggled.

“I had morning sickness all the way up until my delivery,” she explains. “I couldn’t keep any food or water down, and food smells made me throw up. I was so, so sick and nothing helped.”

By the 38th week of her pregnancy, Samantha was exhausted. She told Mandy that she felt anxious about her well-being and ready for the pregnancy to be over. Mandy talked with Samantha and Calvin about induction and explained what the process could look like.

“Mandy said, ‘We can induce you on Sunday,’ and I was like, ‘Absolutely, yes — let’s do it,’” Samantha says. “I never thought I’d be induced because I wanted to have a totally natural experience, but Mandy gave me peace of mind.”

As an added bonus, Mandy said she’d be working in labor and delivery that day and would be present for the delivery.

A Long Labor

Samantha and Calvin arrived at the Family Birth Place early that Sunday morning. She was already dilated three centimeters but not feeling any contractions. The care team started medicine to move things along, but progress was slow.

Samantha prayed, listened to gospel music and asked for updates often. She worried about her baby. She worried about something going wrong and needing a Cesarean section. Mandy checked in regularly, always reassuring Samantha and trying to keep the mood light.

After about 10 hours of labor, Samantha was still at only four centimeters. But the contractions became intense quickly. “I was dilating fast and suddenly in so much pain,” she says. “I was so shocked by how bad it was.”

Mandy stayed close and told Samantha to hold on to her through each contraction. “She hugged me and said, ‘Hold on to me, take my hand,’” Samantha says. “Calvin was right there, but I just wanted to hang on to Mandy and the nurse. Finally, I asked for an epidural. I just couldn’t take it.”

Too Late for Pain Relief

An anesthesiologist came into the room and quickly delivered the epidural. But by then, the baby was almost ready to be born. Samantha was still in pain and panicking.

“I was squeezing Mandy’s hand so hard, and she kept saying, ‘You’ve got this! You’re a good mother, you’re doing great,’” says Samantha. “Those were the words I needed at the time.”

Everything progressed so quickly that the epidural didn’t kick in until after the baby arrived. Samantha and Calvin named him Samuel, which means “the son I prayed for.”

“You Were My Big Sister”

Mandy helped Samantha through Samuel’s birth, and she also helped Samantha and Calvin hold on to the details they might have missed in the moment. She invited Calvin to cut the umbilical cord and reminded him to take pictures as Samantha held Samuel close after delivery.

At her six-week postpartum visit, Samantha hugged Mandy and thanked her for being there when she needed her most.

“I told her, ‘You were my big sister that day,’” Samantha says. “‘I’m so happy and thankful and grateful for you.’”

Now, Samantha looks back at photos from that day and remembers what it felt like to meet Samuel. “He’s perfect,” she says. “It was all worth it.”

Explore Midwifery Care

St. Elizabeth certified nurse midwives now care for patients through one unified midwifery practice, making it easier for families to connect with a team that supports pregnancy, birth and care through every stage of life. Certified nurse midwives, including Mandy Dalhover, CNM, APRN, care for patients in our Crestview Hills location, while Amanda Parker, CNM, serves families in our southeastern Indiana community.

To learn more about midwifery care at St. Elizabeth or to schedule an appointment, visit our website or talk with your provider today.