When I first moved to the Mansfield (CT), I made it a point to pick up all local newspapers to get a feel for the area, the local culture, and the various businesses and events in town. One ad I repeatedly noticed, was that for the local Mansfield OB/Gyn practice.

In reading their mission statement on their website I felt like they touched upon a number of elements that hit my doula sensitivities right on the head: “Mansfield Ob/Gyn Associates is devoted to creating a welcoming environment that provides compassionate, quality health care in partnership with women and their families.  We advocate for the well-being of the women in our diverse community and will serve them with dignity and respect.”  PARTNERSHIP, ADVOCACY, WELL-BEING, DIGNITY, RESPECT, DIVERSITY.

I was even more intrigued when I saw they had a Certified Nurse Midwife, Stephanie Welsh, as part of their provider team, advancing the midwifery model of care right here in our local community. I reached out to Stephanie, who was eager to meet with me in the early Fall to give me a tour of the maternity floor at Windham Hospital, where she assists women and their families. She graciously spent time chatting with me about the many accomplishments, challenges, and opportunities she has encountered over the years while serving her clients in this very special role. She later agreed to being interviewed and featured on my website, as part of a series exploring local women’s health providers.

Here I share Stephanie’s perspective on pregnancy, birth, maternity care, and life as a midwife: ENJOY!

Please send me an email with requests of who else, in Central and Eastern CT, RI, and Southern MA,  you would like me to interview and feature on here: I’m looking forward to talking to other wonderful providers who are living their passion to serve women and their families, each and every day!