Meet one of our Promise Babies: Lainie!

Lainie Rose Degan, daughter of Melissa Kirby and Jeremie Degan of Sioux Falls, SD, was born 7:29 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017, weighing 7 pounds, 8 ounces, and measuring 20 1/2 inches. She has one sibling, Skye.

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

Melissa Kirby holds her baby, Lainie, who was
born Tuesday, Nov. 28. The family received
prenatal care from midwife Pam Hulstein of
Promise Community Health Center.

Lainie Rose

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: Evan!

Evan Jaxon, son of Clint and Julia Decker of Beresford, SD, was born 4:51 a.m., in their home, weighing 8 pounds, 10 ounces, and measuring 22 inches.

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.

Evan Jaxon

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: Daniel!

Daniel Lee, son of Darin and JoAnna Rozeboom of Rock Valley, IA, was born 1:52 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017, in their home, weighing 7 pounds, 8 ounces, and measuring 22 inches. He has three siblings, Luke, 8; Alex, 7; and Kate, 21 months. His grandparents are Thomas and Paula Maassen of Rock Valley and Leonard and Frieda Rozeboom of Rock Rapids.

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.

"Our home-birth experience was second to none," JoAnna said. "Belinda was very knowledgeable in all aspects of prenatal care, labor and delivery. She always made sure to inform us of all options, but, ultimately, allowed us to make decisions based on our own personal needs and desires."

JoAnna Rozeboom holds her baby, Daniel.
She and her husband, Darin, welcomed baby
Daniel into their family on Tuesday, Nov. 14.
He was born in their home in Rock Valley, IA,
with the assistance of midwife Belinda Lassen
of Promise Community Health Center.

Daniel Lee

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: Xander!

Xander Elias, son of Gary and Donna Decker of Centerville, SD, was born 4:08 a.m., in their home, weighing 9 pounds, 2 ounces, and measuring 22 inches. He has three siblings, Evelynne, 7; Matthew, 4; and Hosanna, 2.

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.

Xander Elias

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.

Sharing the joy of belly wiggles!

By Pam Hulstein, Ph.D., CNM

Eyes open wide in amazement when a mother-to-be realizes for the first time that she is able to feel for herself how her unborn baby is positioned.

One of the rewarding aspects of my work is when I see a mom-to-be connect with her unborn child beyond fetal movement sensations. The look on her face is priceless as her hands share with her mind’s eye how her baby is positioned.

Pam Hulstein, CNM

Before 34 weeks or so (eight months), moms will be able to describe well where they feel the baby’s wiggles and may describe them as brushes of movement, pokes, bubbles, rolls etc. Babies initially lie with their back opposite moms (transverse), and during the second trimester, I see that many babies begin to assume a head-down (vertex) position with intermittent changes in position.

By 36 weeks (nine months), most babies will be in a head-down position with their back on either the right or left side of mom’s belly with their face toward mom’s spine. In this position, mom feels the kicks, pokes, jabs of the side opposite the baby’s back. The back feels like a smooth curve lying distinctly on one side of the belly as she feels with her hands. Moms can usually feel with their fingertips a rounded bulging in the upper part of her belly, which is typically the baby’s bottom end. Sometimes she will report feeling “kicked” in her ribs by a foot! When she feels gently by her lower belly with her forefingers opposite each other, she can get a “sense” of the baby’s head lying nicely near her symphysis bone. The symphysis is the firm bony area felt at the bottom of the belly.

I encourage moms to develop a good “sense” of how it feels when their baby moves, and

when she is around 34 weeks (eight months), we work to develop the skill of figuring out how her baby is positioned inside her. The movement of a baby growing inside can be almost painful for a few, but at the same time, it provides the incredible indication that life is happening.

As the wiggles change from flutters to kicks, a mom is able to cue into her baby’s movements and eventually how her baby is positioned. Hands-on care, when I put my hands on mom’s hands to learn her baby’s position, is a precious gift given to moms and nurse midwives as we share in the joy of belly wiggles.

Pam Hulstein is a certified nurse midwife at Promise Community Health Center in Sioux Center. 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: Brighton!

Brighton Leigh, daughter of Jeff and Becca Kroese of Sioux Center, IA, was born 1:03 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, in their home, weighing 10 pounds and measuring 21 inches. She has three siblings, Easton, 12; Raelle, 7; and Hunter, 3.

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.

Becca Kroese holds her baby, Brighton. She and
her husband, Jeff, welcomed baby Brighton into
their family on Saturday, Oct. 7. She was born in
their home in Sioux Center, IA, with the assistance
of midwife Pam Hulstein of Promise Community
Health Center. Also pictured is sister Raelle.

Brighton Leigh

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: Hyrum!

Hyrum Ford, son of Joseph and Abby Thorin of Hartford, SD, was born 6:10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017, in their home, weighing 8 pounds, 8 ounces, and measuring 21 inches. He has three sisters, Saoirse, 6; Adelaide, 4, and Ruth, 2.

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.

"We really enjoyed our experience having a home birth with our midwife, Pam Hulstein, and the friendly staff at Promise Community Health Center," Joseph said. "There's no more natural and beautiful an experience that we could have had."

Abby and Joseph Thorin, along with sisters,
Ruth, Saoirse and Adelaide, welcomed baby
Hyrum into their family on Saturday, Sept. 30.
He was born in their home in Hartford, SD, with
the assistance of midwife Pam Hulstein of Promise
Community Health Center of Sioux Center.

Hyrum Ford

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: Saylor!

Saylor Jade, daughter of Wes and Kelly Kamerman of Sioux Center, IA, was born 10:50 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 3, in their home, weighing 7 pounds, 8 ounces, and measuring 21 inches. She has two siblings, Emyrson, 7, and Maysa, 1. Her grandparents are Mary Kamerman of Sioux Center and Wayne and Jayne Domeyer of Dyersville, IA.

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

Kelly and Wes Kamerman welcomed baby Saylor into
their family on Tuesday, Oct. 3. She was born in their
home in Sioux Center, IA, with the assistance of midwife
Belinda Lassen of Promise Community Health Center.

Saylor Jade

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: Zaylee!

Zaylee Ida, daughter of Rachel and Gary Kleinsasser of Brandon, SD, was born 1:57 a.m., in their home, weighing 8 pounds, 4 ounces, and measuring 21 inches. She has two siblings, Soraya, 5, and Declan, 3. Her grandparents are Kenny and Frieda Gross of Blumenort, Manitoba, Canada, and Arnold and Ida Kleinsasser of Gibbon, MN.

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.

Baby Zaylee

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: Violet!

Violet Estelle, daughter of Keith and Nikelle Roghair of Sioux Center, IA, was born 3:25 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017, in their home, weighing 8 pounds, 14 ounces, and measuring 22 inches. Her grandparents are David and Donna Roghair of Sioux Center and Deon and Allyssa Wynia 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.

Keith and Nikelle Roghair welcomed baby Violet
into their family on Tuesday, Sept. 5. She was
born in their home in Sioux Center, IA, with the
assistance of midwife Belinda Lassen of Promise
Community Health Center of Sioux Center.

Baby Violet

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.

Promise's August baby boom sets one-month record

by Derrick Vander Waal

SIOUX CENTER – Babies, babies and more babies.

August 2017 was the month of babies for the Promise Community Health Center midwifery team.

In total, certified nurse midwives Belinda Lassen and Pam Hulstein of Promise attended 12 home births during the baby boom. That was a one-month record for Promise. A third midwife also was on-call in case she was needed.

“August was just an incredible month,” Lassen said. “Thank you to all our families for entrusting your care to us.”

Here are some fun stats for the 12 babies:

• Eight were girls; four were boys.
• The 12 babies were born in 12 different towns. (Ironically, none of the births were in Sioux Center, where Promise is located.)
• Six babies were born in Iowa; six were born in South Dakota.
• The distance from the farthest west hometown (Vermillion, SD) to the farthest east (Spirit Lake, IA) was 129 miles; the distances from the farthest north hometown (Baltic, SD) to the farthest south (Merrill, IA) was 95 miles.
• The largest baby was 9 pounds, 8 ounces; the smallest was 7 pounds.
• The longest labor was 15 hours, 25 minutes; the shortest labor was 2 hours, 17 minutes.
• Babies were born from the first day of the month to the third to last.

Promise Community Health Center's record
12 home births for a month (August 2017)
were in 12 different towns in two states.

Here is the tally of home births:

Aug. 1: Juniper – Orange City, IA.

Aug. 4: Lydia – Merrill, IA.

Aug. 9: Kenny – Vermillion, SD.

Aug. 14: Freya – Tea, SD.

Aug. 16: Alivia – Spirit Lake, IA.

Aug. 17: Jefferson – Sioux Falls, SD.

Aug. 17: Matea – Rock Valley, IA.

Aug. 18: Waverly – Harrisburg, SD.

Aug. 23: Ivan – Sanborn, IA.

Aug. 27: Olivia – Baltic, SD.

Aug. 29: Sawyer – Boyden, IA

The families were highly appreciative of the personal care that they received from their midwives and nurses.

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

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: Sawyer!

Sawyer Ray, son of Dillon and Kaitlyn Green of Boyden, IA, was born 1:04 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017, in their home, weighing 7 pounds, 14 ounces, and measuring 22 inches. He has a brother, Hudson, 2. His grandparents are Darin and Julie Green of Boyden and Dan and Laurie Ray of Okoboji.

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.

Kaitlyn Green holds her baby, Sawyer. She and her
husband, Dillon, welcomed baby Sawyer into their
family on Tuesday, Aug. 29. He was born in their
home in Boyden, IA, with the assistance of midwife
Belinda Lassen of Promise Community Health Center.

Baby Sawyer

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: Olivia!

Olivia Kate, daughter of Todd and Anna Marsceau of Baltic, SD, was born 10:17 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27, 2017, in their home, weighing 7 pounds, 12 ounces, and measuring 21 inches. She has an older brother, Keith, 22 months. Her grandparents are Dave and Sherrie Marsceau of Colman, SD, and Stan and Lana Blanton of Easley, SC.

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.

"Belinda has been very supportive throughout my pregnancy. She is an awesome midwife!" Anna said. "Having my baby at home was very positive. Recovering at home has been very comfortable."

Anna and Todd Marsceau, along with brother Keith,
welcomed baby Olivia into their family on Sunday,
Aug. 27. She was born in their home in Baltic, SD,
with the assistance of midwife Belinda Lassen of
Promise Community Health Center of Sioux Center.

Baby Olivia

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: Ivan!

Ivan James, son of Sam and Lori De Groot of Sanborn, IA, was born 10:10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, 2017, in their home, weighing 8 pounds, 8 ounces, and measuring 22 inches. He has a sister, Lili, 1 (2 in September). His grandparents are Vincent and Twila De Groot of Sioux Center and Art and Louise Versteeg of Clifford, Ontario, Canada.

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.

Lori De Groot holds baby Ivan. She and her
husband, Sam, welcomed Ivan into their
family on Saturday, Aug. 23. He was
born in their Sanborn, IA, home with
the assistance of midwife Belinda Lassen
of Promise Community Health Center.

Baby Ivan

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.