Kate Mazzara has a passion for birth.
The resident of Livingston County’s Hartland Township and mother of three has helped bring dozens of babies into the world throughout her career as a midwife, a job she chose to pursue after having her first son in 1993.
“I had a baby, and I fell in love with birth,” Mazzara said. “I thought it was postpartum. I thought every one experienced that, but I found out they didn’t.”
Mazzara — who became a certified midwife in 2001 after training in an Amish community in Pennsylvania — runs a home-based business, Mazzara Midwifery. Last year, she assisted in 20 births, and she has 30 clients scheduled this year.
On the job, Mazzara provides support to mothers and families during the months of pregnancy, as well as supervision and instruction during labor. Births take place at each client’s home without the use of epidural anesthesia to relieve labor pain.
She said many of her clients come to her seeking a natural and less commercial experience than what is provided in hospitals. Mazzara gave birth to one of her own sons four years ago in her home bathtub.
“There is a tremendous amount of empowerment from it,” Mazzara said. “It’s a peak experience for women.”
Photo by jonny.hunter