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