"There is no way we can ever thank you enough for the competence, compassion, support, and confidence you've given us through the pregnancy and birth of our two children. We are so lucky that you do what you do - I wish everyone could have the experence we've had with you. We will never forget how much you did to help bring our little treasures into our lives. Thank you a million times." -Love, Lila and Eugene

"Throughout the night, there you were, breathing with me, listening to my baby, reassuring me, feeding me, reminding me what this was all about, and helping me to stay focused and positive. I will never forget your soothing voice or touch at my birth - you whisper magic that makes miracles happen. And now the real fun begins - bringing up this baby!" - Rachel, first baby, home birth

"I was so blessed to have you as my Midwife for both my births... You will always have my heart. I love you very much and because of you my birth experiences were the most incredible, empowering, glorious and loving experiences I have ever had in my life. Thank you for all you have done for me and people everywhere. You are a real blessing!" - Lynne Hurley Harvey

"The most important gift you gave me was the confidence to trust myself and my strengths. Without you, I most certainly would have been cut again. Jamie’s birth not only gave me my precious son, but it gave me my body back again. You have made a profound difference in my life. I will never be the same. I can move mountains now." - Cheryl, home birth after cesarean

It is so hard to put into words the thanks I want to give. We were so incredibly blessed to have you as our midwife. Your careful attention, love and guidance throughout the pregnancy and fabulous support and care during the birth truly made it a wonderful experience... I am looking forward to doing a home birth with you all over again with the next one! -Rebekah, home birth, first baby, nine pounds four ounces

"I had so many questions! You were always available with a suggestion and a word of encouragement. Labor was challenging, but this was the most exciting, exhilarating, awe-inspiring thing I have ever done. I was treated with dignity and respect, and my baby didn’t ever leave my side. Thank you!" - Judith, waterbirth at home

Being "first-timers," Wendy and I danced between our own thoughts -- what we believed the experience should be -- and what most in our society think it should be. Your words resonated within us and gave us the confidence to follow our own path. During our first visit, I saw nothing but sincerity and care. It was clear to me that every word you uttered, and every touch, had Wendy's concern at their core. At the end of the day, we made our own decision to ask you to be our midwife, but really, did we ever have a choice? - Stephen, father to Emma

"Thank you so much for being a wonderful midwife. The care you provided during my pregnancy and labor was excellent. I loved how you instilled confidence in me to believe in my body's ability to make and birth a healthy baby. I am grateful that there are women like you who are willing to fight the tide for what you believe is right. Bringing each of my three boys into the world has been a magnificent experience and I am so grateful for your part in making it special. Thanks again for helping us have beautiful home/waterbirths." -Love, Florence, Peter, Isaac, Caleb and Josiah

"Thank you for your competence and your confidence. When I felt fear and had doubts your positive energy literally lifted me and carried me through... We have learned so much from you - it's been life changing. You helped make my wife's dream come true, a dream I came to share. You've made a place for yourself in our hearts. A million thank-you's!"- Doug

"Oh my God! Where do we begin? "Thank you" sure doesn't do it. You are amazing. Your never ending energy is a marvel and an inspiration. Thanks for making my dream birth a reality. I want to sing to the treetops. You have and are changing our world and that's so cool. We have our hats off to you and your sweet life!"- Love, Victoria, Peter and Kay

"Now that our beautiful homebirth baby boy is four days old, I want to compose my thoughts about the experience. From start to finish it was wonderful! The class we took with you make me think that VBAC in a positive environment was possible after all. I loved the prenatal visits, too. I always felt rejuvenated on my way home. What you really gave to me was myself again. I didn't fully realize how the cesarean had undermined my soul and heart. Now that I birthed [at home] I feel like I can really be myself - strong and powerful again. You have given me such an incredible gift that I can never really thank you in words. Your love and faith in my ability made the whole thing possible. I was thinking that in our culture women turn to drugs during labor because they don't feel enough love around them. In this sense, you are a true midwife, acting out of your heart. I am so glad we found you!" Love and kisses always, Corry

"The care you gave us was more than I could have expected and everything I could want. I feel honored to have been able to share such an important time in my life with you. The birth was everything I had hoped it could be. You helped give me the confidence and strength to take responsibility for my family and myself, which extends beyond my pregnancy and birth experience.... Thomas is a wonderful, content baby. I have been a better mother and wife to my family since I have had such an easy postpartum time, thanks mainly to you. Jack was also a happy baby and a happy confident child. I believe it is greatly due to his gentle loving start in life. Thank you for helping us - you have helped give us a healthy, happy family and Dan and I want to thank you for such a precious gift."- Love, Melanie and Dan

"I cannot begin to thank you enough for all you have done to help me have the pregnancies and births I have always wanted.... it is so important to know there is someone in my life who understands fully how important this adventure has been to me. Thank you will all my heart, Andrea

Dear Nancy,
We hope you enjoy the site as much as we did creating it!
Love,
Alyssa, John, Ariel, Brennan, & Dante
http://sites.google.com/site/dantelucianbirthstory/home

Words don't begin to express how incredibly grateful we were to have yo as our midwife. Elijah's birth was so incredible, beautiful, awesome - too many words and none of them come close to capturing the feelings we both have about the wonder of our experience. It was truly the birth of my dreams....When I was lost in the throes of [labor], your focus and energy and voice really calmed and centered me through those final surges before pushing. I will never forget that, nor all your loving affection not only during labor but also throughout our pergnancy. You make me really look forward to doing it again. You are truly the midwife's midwife! Kristina and Toby, first baby. [ Kristina is a Labor and Delivery Nurse and is studying to become a midwife.]

I am a traditional midwife in Minneapolis, MN and although I'm sure you already know this, I would just like to share with you that your books and encouragement are still touching families and preventing surgeries.

My first son was born via C/section in 1995 after I had planned to birth at home. After several days of labor and hours of pushing, my midwife didn't know what else to try so we went in. Although I later came to realize that her skills and experience might not have been what I was led to believe, his 16'' head and posterior position probably had more to do with the course of events. :) Long story short, I went on to hospital VBAC and two home births... as well as a midwifery apprenticeship and eventual home birth "practice".

I now attend many mothers seeking VBAC. Mothers of all shapes and sizes, babies of all shapes and sizes too! Mothers with multiple Cesarean experiences, uterine anomalies, those who go to 43 weeks every time. Single layer uterine closures, babies close together, big beautiful women. First babies who needed all that labor to rotate and get pointy heads, and who surely would have been born through surgery had their mothers been in a hospital. Thank you for the wisdom you have shared in your books; your trust in birth has been contagious.

Last month I helped a mother have a VBAC after 4 Cesareans, all single layer uterine closures. Sadly, I was the only midwife in the area who would consider working with her. Of course she had been told her pelvis wouldn't even accommodate a baby of 6 pounds, but her 9 lb 2 oz boy was born at home. It wasn't easy but it was birth and it was hers.

Looking forward to your new book, in due time, when it has chosen its birthday!
Vanessa

Dear Nancy,
My name is Sherryl. 24 years ago I read Silent Knife and you led me down a new and exciting fork in the road of life.

I have been cleaning out my office and just pored over a whole drawer full of childbirth info. And I wondered ..... what's Nancy Wainer up to? So, sidetracked as I was, off to the computer I went to search.

I am thrilled to find you 1500 births later! Your website brought a lump to my throat as I imagine all the women you have been encouraging and caring for with your special love and humor. You still make me laugh and marvel at your wisdom and unique way of viewing the beauty of pregnancy and childbirth.

So, I am one person you have influenced which in turn influenced Debi & Brad, Terri & Lloyd, Sally & Steve, Olga & Andy, Carrie & Paul, Karen & Rich, Josie & Bill, Cheri & Eric, Michele & Gavin, Michelle & Steve, and hopefully someday my own daughters ....... well, it's not 1500, but I am proud to have been sparked by you to carry the torch and help these couples have beautiful births!

My story, in brief, was a cesarean with my firstborn and when pregnant with my 2nd, found your book. Changed my outlook entirely; I remember so clearly crying when I read that my body was whole and healthy and capable. I was determined to find someone who would assist my body rather than manage its know-how. From OB/GYN to Gen Practitioner to Female OB to lay midwife found at the end of my 8th month. She had never done a VBAC, but upon visiting her in person, I apparently convinced her I was quite serious about doing this. We were in Kentucky at the time. The midwife and her apprentice were wonderful and changed my life forever. Elizabeth was born at home. Upon our return to Wyoming, I had two more children both delivered by myself with my husband's assistance. Nearest midwife was 3 hours away in Montana and during my second pregnancy I had read about DIY and couldn't shake it when we had the Wyoming birthing environment to deal with. I treated myself to BEST chiropractic adjustments monthly. My caregiver was completely supportive and he and his wife went on to deliver their next 2 at home. (His wife had had 3 cesareans!!) Our third birth was a footling breech; the last prenatal visit had indicated head first, so we were surprised and thank goodness for Michele Odent's work! My husband and I took turns being confident & unconfident, but we knew in our hearts we were going down the path we were intended... Our fourth birth was so easy, I questioned my husband's turning on the tape recorder when I expected the birth to be several hours away -- she was born 10 minutes later!

Thank you, Nancy, for your life's work.

Many blessings to you & love always.
Sherryl