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By Katie McKy
The popularity of the show, “Call the Midwife,” might be partly responsible for the uptick in women using midwives, but there are myriad other reasons to tap the talents of a midwife. For example, the Ohio Association of Advanced Practice Nurses reports that women who use midwives have “a higher level of care satisfaction, a decreased risk of a cesarean birth, reduced rates of labor induction, and reduced risk of regional anesthesia,” among other positive outcomes. Additionally, the American College of Nurse-Midwives says that the “benefits of receiving midwifery care include decreased infant mortality rates, decreased risk of preterm birth, decreased third and fourth-degree perineal tears, lower costs to clients, and increased chances of having a positive start to breastfeeding.”
All these positives likely explain why, according to the Government Accountability Office, midwives attended 12% of births in 2021 in the U.S. and the number of practicing midwives has increased, with about 14,000 practicing today. TruLiving Birth Center is a local place where midwives practice.
TruLiving Birth Center
TruLiving Birth Center in Menomonie, “owned by Knelly Dettinger, is an open model center, which means that any midwife licensed can apply for privileges to serve clients there.” It looks like a cross between a comfy home and a chic spa. It has certified professional midwives, certified nurse midwives, and a doula on staff. Erin Kaspar-Frett is one of its birth professionals.
Erin Kaspar-Frett
Erin Kaspar-Frett, Licensed Midwife (LM), Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) with a Master’s of Science in Midwifery (MSM), works with Jade Dillman, LM, CPM, there.
“We are a team.”
Kaspar-Frett has four children, two that she carried and two that her wife carried, all born at home. She earned a bachelor’s in biology from Hamline University before achieving certification as a doula, a trained labor support person. While pregnant with her first child, she began the master’s program at the Midwives College of Utah. That led to apprenticeships from Minnesota to Bali. In addition to being a midwife, she also teaches online at the Midwives College of Utah and is an active member of the WI Guild of Midwives and NACPM, is a CPM (Certified Professional Midwife) and a Licensed Midwife (WI) and works at TruLiving too.
“Jade and I are only one practice that serves folks there. We also do home birth and have an office down the street.”
In the early 1900s, TruLiving was the women’s hospital for Menomonie, so it’s seen a lot of babies come into the world. Kaspar-Frett’s interest in midwifery also goes back a long ways.
“I was 12 when my brother was born and that sparked my interest. No, I was not at his birth. Then I learned about midwives in high school. Once I was pregnant, the fire was lit under me to start midwifery schooling.”
Kaspar-Frett has a balanced and nuanced perspective on what midwives offer versus hospitals.
“Some moms have wonderful non-medical experiences in the hospital, so I want to be careful not to demonize the hospital experience. Each family has to make the choice that is right for them, BUT midwifery care, compared to standard OB care that is limited in time, is different.”
Kaspar-Frett understands that many OB’s are wonderful, but have limits placed on them by the organization and cannot spend much time with each person. The midwife approach contrasts.
“We are trained in shared decision making, not only following policies and protocols. I very much feel strongly about making sure we are in it together and I have consent from a parent before anything we do. It’s still birth, it can still be hard, but the support and care is personalized.”
And the payoff is profound.
“The best moments are seeing a parent catch their own baby, the joy on the parent(s) face(s); seeing a sibling meeting the baby, watching the birthing person ‘get over the hump’ or move through the struggle. It’s beautiful.”
However, it takes more than midwives to keep TruLiving Birth Center humming.
Carly Osmera
Carly Osmera is TruLiving’s Birth Center integrator. She does a bit of this and a bit of that.
“I am currently a jack of all trades at the moment! From updating facility policies and procedures, to coordinating property management, to onboarding new midwives, to managing social accounts, to creating courses and other educational content for the community. My main job, however, is to connect with families who are interested in learning more about natural birth or giving birth at our facility.”
Osmera assists families in choosing a midwife for their care and “walks them through all of the necessary steps to feel excited, comfortable and confident about where they get to have their baby!”
And that’s not all she does.
“I also oversee the needs of our team, the community and prior [Tru] Living birth center families to improve experiences and overall care.”
She works at TruLiving because she used a midwife for the births of her three children.
“I was drawn to the midwives’ holistic model of allowing my body to do what God intended it to do. I was able to fully relax, gain insightful tips on labor positions, and feel supported and honored.”
And now she gets to support other mothers.
“I get to connect with other moms, first time moms, and families! I am an extrovert through and through, so this job marries my love for connecting and empowering others and hosting networking and connection events.”
Osmera was born to connect.
“I believe we are not meant to walk through this life alone and am grateful for the opportunity to help others navigate both difficult and exciting seasons of life.”
Supporting so much of what TruLiving offers, Osmera has an overarching view of midwifery.
“I think every pregnant woman should first consider a midwife, unless deemed unsafe with pre-exisitng medical conditions, and see what they have to offer. Midwives are trained and experienced in helping women navigate the stages of labor and how to remain as relaxed and confident through all of it. They have so many tools in their toolbelt that will leave you feeling capable and amazed of what your body is able to do!”
