Choosing Catherine Williams as my midwife was one of the greatest decisions I have ever made in my…read morelife.
Before even getting pregnant, I researched every midwife and birthing center in Los Angeles. Ultimately, the obvious choice for me was Home Birth Service of Los Angeles.
Factoring in her experience (there's nothing she hasn't seen so she'll be prepared for your birth), her great reviews (forty years+ worth), and my preliminary meeting with her (she's smart, spirited, spunky, and soulful), I knew I wanted Catherine Williams to be my midwife.
Sadly, my journey with Catherine began on a devastating note. At 10-weeks pregnant, before my first appointment, I began bleeding. Ever available, even before receiving any payment, Catherine told me on the phone "Just remember, no matter what, nothing is your fault. You've done nothing wrong, your body is doing exactly what it needs to be doing. I'm here for you."
Though I experienced a miscarriage, Catherine's words stuck with me. She refused to accept payment for her time, and gave me resources on my healing journey. You would be hard-pressed to find any physician who would respond so quickly, who would care so wholeheartedly.
About five months later, I was ecstatic to be pregnant again, and there was no question of who I wanted to be my midwife.
At homey appointments in a building that looks like a castle, Catherine, my husband, and I shared laughs, tears, excitement, and fears. After a genetic screening, I tested positive as a carrier for a rare genetic condition. While waiting to see if my husband was also a carrier, I would want no one else by my side but Catherine during those excruciating weeks.
While my husband was thankfully not a carrier, I can't imagine what I would've experienced without Catherine. Doctors can bypass the most difficult portion of pregnancy: the emotional component. Luckily, Catherine covers it all. My pregnancy was beautiful because I had an empowering midwife.
When it came to the actual birth, my water broke five days before my due date. Catherine was patient and caring, assuring and confident. The times when I gave up on myself, she helped me dig deeper to find more, believe more. She came over to my house multiple times over my 24+ hour labor. Because my labor had stalled after my water broke, Catherine provided solutions to get me into active labor. Within a few hours of following Catherine's protocol, I delivered a beautiful, 9 lb, 22 in baby boy at home. I have no doubt I would've been put on a path to a C-section in a hospital.
Catherine not only helped deliver my baby. She helped deliver my dream of having my baby at home. Of waking up at home with him right beside me with my husband. Of empowering me as a woman and new mother. Of helping me fully trust my baby and my body. With Catherine's help, I went through the threshold to become the person and parent I want to be. I wish this for every pregnant person. To this day, when I'm experiencing difficulty, I think about what I was able to accomplish delivering my son. Those times when I want to give up on myself, I can dig deeper to find more, believe more. Like at my son's birth.
Catherine is one of the best, brightest, most caring, most experienced, most hilarious, most soulful people you could ever meet. I can count on my hands how many people I trust; she is one of them. I knew if it was possible, I'd have a successful home birth with Catherine. And if necessary, I'd have a successful birth at a hospital. No matter what, my baby and I were safe.
While I birthed my son 4 years ago with Catherine, we've since moved. There have been multiple times I've reached out to Catherine for her knowledge, expertise, and comfort. She's always been available because that's the type of person she is. If you have any questions about Catherine, please feel free to reach out via message.
You should choose Catherine Williams as your midwife. It will be one of the greatest decisions you will ever make in your life.