Every day, thousands of new moms give birth surrounded by clinical blue shaded curtains, health monitors and the fathers passed out by the side of the hospital bed. But an in-home midwife, provides a very different experience.

Brenda Ramler is a midwife who arrived in Grand Junction a little over two years ago. She has over 30 years of experience with midwifery in California.

“I had a baby, became a child birth educator, did labor sitting, and slowly moved into midwifery,” Ramler said. “1982 was my first birth drop.”

Ramler is the only current midwife in the Grand Junction area. She makes it easier for couples considering midwifery, and gives them an option of how their child will be born.

There are some differences in a hospital birth and utilizing an in-home midwife. Midwives spend more time with pregnant women than physicians do. Ramler spends an average of 60 or more hours with her patients, helping them through the process of pregnancy and follow-ups after the birth. With the in-home midwife process, the patient tends to learn more about her pregnancy.

“Good care and education are keys in having a successful and safe pregnancy and birth experience,” Ramler said. “A patient must do the homework before the birth, stay healthy, work out, ask questions, and become highly educated. This will be the best way to have their and their babies needs met.”

Ramler also helps patients who want water births. These births are given in water to help maintain a smooth transition for the baby out of the womb. This process makes it more relaxing for mom to deliver.

Ramler is passionate about her work. She has helped hundreds of women.

“I was considering retirement when I made it to Grand Junction, until a person in need of midwifery got a hold of me,” Ramler said. “I thought they just needed advice with another midwife in town. When I found out there was no midwifes in town, I prayed about it and knew I had to continue my practice.”

In March/April of 2011, Ramler received her license in midwifery in the state of Colorado and has completed four births in town since then.

“My main goal when I retire is to have one or two more licensed midwifes here in town. That is something I want before I retire,” Ramler said.

She is picking up more clients this year, and has more lined up for 2012.