Meet one of our Promise Babies: Waverly!

Waverly Belle, daughter of Ashley Brewer of Harrisburg, SD, was born 8:50 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18, 2017, in her home, weighing 7 pounds and measuring 21 inches. She has two siblings, Adella, 10, and Azariah, 7. Her grandparents are John and Deb Doornenbal of Sioux Center.

Certified nurse midwife Belinda Lassen of Promise Community Health Center in Sioux Center, IA, provided the prenatal care for the family throughout the pregnancy and attended the home birth. Nurse Erica Robertson also assisted with the birth.

"Waverly's home birth was the best of my three births," Ashley said. "I attribute much of this to being in the comfort of my own home. Belinda and Erica were amazing."

Ashley Brewer, along with siblings, Adella and Azariah,
welcomed baby Waverly into their family on Friday,
Aug. 18. She was born in their home in Harrisburg,
SD, with the assistance of midwife Belinda Lassen
of Promise Community Health Center of Sioux Center.

Baby Waverly

Promise Community Health Center of Sioux Center is the only Federally Qualified Health Center serving the far northwest corner of Iowa — and beyond. To learn more about Promise's midwifery team and prenatal services, visit www.promisechc.org/services/prenatal.aspx. For more tips and advice on various topics from Promise's midwifery team and baby announcements, visit promisechcmidwives.blogspot.com.

Meet one of our Promise Babies: Jacob!

Jacob Steven Gerritt, son of Dan and Carla Hulstein of Hull, IA, was born 7:01 a.m. Friday, Aug. 4, at Orange City Area Health System, weighing 9 pounds, 1 ounce, and measuring 20 1/2 inches. His grandparents are Glenn and Marj Hulstein, Dan and Jennifer Alldredge, and Akira and Maryann Mori.

Certified nurse midwife Belinda Lassen of Promise Community Health Center in Sioux Center, IA, provided the prenatal care for the family throughout the pregnancy.

Carla and Dan Hulstein of Hull welcomed baby Jacob
into their family on Friday, Aug. 4. The family received
prenatal care from midwife Belinda Lassen of Promise
Community Health Center of Sioux Center.

Promise Community Health Center of Sioux Center is the only Federally Qualified Health Center serving the far northwest corner of Iowa — and beyond. To learn more about Promise's midwifery team and prenatal services, visit www.promisechc.org/services/prenatal.aspx. For more tips and advice on various topics from Promise's midwifery team and baby announcements, visit promisechcmidwives.blogspot.com.

Meet one of our Promise Babies: Matea!

Matea Liese, daughter of Kurt and Kelly Franje of Rock Valley, IA, was born 10:48 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17, in their home, weighing 9 pounds, 8 ounces, and measuring 22 inches.

Certified nurse midwife Belinda Lassen of Promise Community Health Center in Sioux Center, IA, provided the prenatal care for the family throughout the pregnancy and midwife Pam Hulstein of Promise attended the home birth.

"We have loved our care from the very beginning," Kelly said. "Belinda's confidence assured us that a home birth was a good option for us as a low-risk pregnancy. When Matea decided it was time to greet the world, she came very quickly, 2 1/2-hour labor, so Pam was able to make it to help deliver our sweet Matea Liese, whose name means 'a gift from God given back to God.'"

Kurt and Kelly Franje welcomed baby Matea into their family on Thursday, Aug. 17. She was born into their Rock Valley home with the assistance of midwife Pam Hulstein of Promise Community Health Center.

Baby Matea Promise Community Health Center of Sioux Center is the only Federally Qualified Health Center serving the far northwest corner of Iowa — and beyond. To learn more about Promise's midwifery team and prenatal services, visit www.promisechc.org/services/prenatal.aspx. For more tips and advice on various topics from Promise's midwifery team and baby announcements, visit promisechcmidwives.blogspot.com

Meet one of our Promise Babies: Jefferson!

Jefferson Donald (JD), son of Brandon and Elizabeth Wittrock of Sioux Falls, SD, was born 10:34 a.m. Thursday, Aug 17, in their home, weighing 8 pounds, 6 ounces, and measuring 22 inches. He has three older siblings, Damon, 6, Kensington, 4, and Gwenevere, 2. His grandparents are Craig and Victoria Wittrock of Hartford, SD, and Mike and Laurie Cooper of Primghar, IA.

Certified nurse midwife Belinda Lassen of Promise Community Health Center in Sioux Center, IA, provided the prenatal care for the family throughout the pregnancy and attended the home birth.

Elizabeth said it was a great experience.

"Absolutely fantastic. Feels great to be home," she said. "The whole experience was wonderful."

Brandon and Elizabeth Wittrock, along with
siblings Gwenevere, Kensington and Damon,
welcomed baby Jefferson into their family on
Thursday, Aug. 17. He was born in their home
in Sioux Falls, SD, with the assistance of midwife
Belinda Lassen of Promise Community Health Center.

Baby Jefferson

Promise Community Health Center of Sioux Center is the only Federally Qualified Health Center serving the far northwest corner of Iowa — and beyond. To learn more about Promise's midwifery team and prenatal services, visit www.promisechc.org/services/prenatal.aspx. For more tips and advice on various topics from Promise's midwifery team and baby announcements, visit promisechcmidwives.blogspot.com.

Meet one of our Promise Babies: Alivia!

Alivia Grace, daughter of Andrew and Emily Lundgren of Spirit Lake, IA, was born 10:23 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 16, in their home, weighing 9 pounds, 1 ounce, and measuring 22 inches. She has two older brothers, Emmet, 5, and Cale, 3. Her grandparents are Lyle and Mary Lundgren of Orange City and Mel and Julie Elsberry of Orange City.

Certified nurse midwife Belinda Lassen of Promise Community Health Center in Sioux Center, IA, provided the prenatal care for the family throughout the pregnancy and attended the home birth.

"Alivia's birth was an absolute dream," Emily said. "It was so wonderful to labor, deliver and recover in our home. From our first appointment through the delivery and aftercare, Belinda has been absolutely wonderful. She is so special to our family."

Andrew and Emily Lundgren, along with
brothers Emmet and Cale, welcomed baby
Alivia into their family on Wednesday, Aug.
16. She was born in their Spirit Lake home
with the assistance of midwife Belinda
Lassen of Promise Community Health
Center of Sioux Center.

Baby Alivia

Promise Community Health Center of Sioux Center is the only Federally Qualified Health Center serving the far northwest corner of Iowa — and beyond. To learn more about Promise's midwifery team and prenatal services, visit www.promisechc.org/services/prenatal.aspx. For more tips and advice on various topics from Promise's midwifery team and baby announcements, visit promisechcmidwives.blogspot.com.

Meet one of our Promise Babies: Freya!

Freya Jean, daughter of Joshua and Brittany Sopko of Tea, SD, was born 6:20 a.m. Monday, Aug. 14, in their home, weighing 7 pounds, 10 ounces, and measuring 21 inches. She has two older siblings, Briella, 3, and Beckett, 2.

Certified nurse midwife Belinda Lassen of Promise Community Health Center in Sioux Center, IA, provided the prenatal care for the family throughout the pregnancy and attended the home birth. Nurse Kari Ney also assisted with the birth.

"Honestly, this was the best experience ever," Brittany said. "The staff from start to finish of our birth story has been amazing. Every appointment was awesome. The birth was amazing. Belinda and Kari treated us like rock stars. They made us feel comfortable and safe. Best experience ever."

Brittany and Joshua Sopko, along with siblings, Briella
and Beckett, welcomed baby Freya into their family
on Monday, Aug. 14. He was born in their Tea, SD,
home with the assistance of midwife Belinda Lassen
of Promise Community Health Center of Sioux Center.

Baby Freya

Promise Community Health Center of Sioux Center is the only Federally Qualified Health Center serving the far northwest corner of Iowa — and beyond. To learn more about Promise's midwifery team and prenatal services, visit www.promisechc.org/services/prenatal.aspx. For more tips and advice on various topics from Promise's midwifery team and baby announcements, visit promisechcmidwives.blogspot.com.

Robertson to counsel moms about breastfeeding

SIOUX CENTER, IOWA – Erica Robertson has developed a passion for obstetrics and newborn care since becoming a nurse.

Therefore, she was excited to be offered the opportunity to receive training to become a certified lactation counselor for Promise Community Health Center in Sioux Center.

Erica Robertson, a registered nurse at
Promise Community Health Center in
Sioux Center, has earned certification
as a lactation counselor. She will use
her training to enhance services to
women in Promise's prenatal program.

With that certification, Robertson will enhance the health center’s prenatal program.

“Promise realized the need for increased lactation support and education,” she said. “If a parent decides breastfeeding is the feeding option they want to pursue, it is a big commitment that can be overwhelming at times. We want to optimize their ability to be successful.”

To earn certification, Robertson took a 45-hour, one-week course through the Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice. The course, which was offered via the Healthy Children Project, included instruction time, latch assessments and counseling competency exercises. At the end of the course, she had to pass a certification exam.

She now is eager to put what she learned into practice.

“The training has given me the knowledge needed to feel confident in helping parents realize and achieve their breastfeeding goals,”she said. “I can counsel patients on the importance of breastfeeding, help them determine if breastfeeding is the best option for them and their baby, assist with breastfeeding after their baby is born and help troubleshoot problems that arise.”

Robertson, who has served as a registered nurse at Promise since June 2014, said the health center has many goals with the project. Initially, the prenatal team will use her as a counselor for moms – answering questions and giving information to them – at a couple of their prenatal appointments before their baby is born.

“Our prenatal team already does a great job at supporting parents with their breastfeeding questions,” she said. “By having a counselor meet with them at particular visits, we can be more intentional about the education.”

She also will contact home-birth moms within 24 hours of delivery – a critical time for breastfeeding success. All parents will be given the option to call whenever questions or concerns about breastfeeding come up, including after regular business hours for urgent concerns.

“We want parents to know help is available, and they aren’t alone in this journey,” she said. “Babies deserve the best nutritional support possible, and parents deserve optimal breastfeeding support to ensure their goals are met with breastfeeding.”

Promise Community Health Center of Sioux Center is the only Federally Qualified Health Center serving the far northwest corner of Iowa — and beyond. To learn more about Promise's midwifery team and prenatal services, visit www.promisechc.org/services/prenatal.aspx. For more tips and advice on various topics from Promise's midwifery team and baby announcements, visit promisechcmidwives.blogspot.com.


AWARENESS MONTH:
August is National Breastfeeding Month. To learn more, visit: www.usbreastfeeding.org/nbm.

Meet one of our Promise Babies: Kenny!

Kenny Dennis, son of Debbie and Duane Elliot of Vermillion, SD, was born 5:32 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9, in their home, weighing 7 pounds, 10 ounces, and measuring 21 inches. He has an older brother, Robert, 5.

Certified nurse midwife Pam Hulstein of Promise Community Health Center in Sioux Center, IA, provided the prenatal care for the family throughout the pregnancy and attended the home birth.

Debbie and Duane Elliot welcomed baby Kenny into
their family on Wednesday, Aug. 9. He was born in
their Vermillion, SD, home with the assistance of
midwife Pam Hulstein of Promise Community
Health Center of Sioux Center.

Baby Kenny

Promise Community Health Center of Sioux Center is the only Federally Qualified Health Center serving the far northwest corner of Iowa — and beyond. To learn more about Promise's midwifery team and prenatal services, visit www.promisechc.org/services/prenatal.aspx. For more tips and advice on various topics from Promise's midwifery team and baby announcements, visit promisechcmidwives.blogspot.com.

Meet one of our Promise Babies: Lydia!

Lydia Joy, daughter of Caleb and Emily Widman of Sergeant Bluff, IA, was born 1:12 a.m. Friday, Aug. 4, in her home, weighing 8 pounds, 8 ounces, and measuring 21 inches. She has three older sisters, Esther, 7, Rebekah, 5, and Hannah, 2.

Certified nurse midwife Belinda Lassen of Promise Community Health Center in Sioux Center, IA, provided the prenatal care for the family throughout the pregnancy and attended the home birth. 

Emily Widman holds her baby, Lydia. She and her
husband, Caleb, along with three older sisters,
welcomed baby Lydia into their family on Friday,
Aug. 4. She was born in their Sergeant Bluff home
with the assistance of midwife Belinda Lassen of
Promise Community Health Center of Sioux Center.

Baby Lydia

Promise Community Health Center of Sioux Center is the only Federally Qualified Health Center serving the far northwest corner of Iowa — and beyond. To learn more about Promise's midwifery team and prenatal services, visit www.promisechc.org/services/prenatal.aspx. For more tips and advice on various topics from Promise's midwifery team and baby announcements, visit promisechcmidwives.blogspot.com.

Meet one of our Promise Babies: Juniper!

Juniper Grace, daughter of Steve and Emily Mahr of Orange City, IA, was born 7:07 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 1, in her home, weighing 8 pounds, 6 ounces, and measuring 21.5 inches. She has three siblings, Margo, 7, Xander, 4, and Phoebe, 2.

Certified nurse midwife Belinda Lassen of Promise Community Health Center in Sioux Center, IA, provided the prenatal care for the family throughout the pregnancy and attended the home birth. Nurse Kari Ney assisted with the home birth.

"We loved it!" Steve said. "Belinda and Kari help create a stable, peaceful environment. Having our babies at home has been such a wonderful, intimate, relaxing experience for our family."

Steve and Emily Mahr welcomed baby Juniper into
their family on Tuesday, Aug. 1. She was born in their
Orange City, IA, home with the assistance of midwife
Belinda Lassen of Promise Community Health Center.

Baby Juniper

Promise Community Health Center of Sioux Center is the only Federally Qualified Health Center serving the far northwest corner of Iowa — and beyond. To learn more about Promise's midwifery team and prenatal services, visit www.promisechc.org/services/prenatal.aspx. For more tips and advice on various topics from Promise's midwifery team and baby announcements, visit promisechcmidwives.blogspot.com.