This Mother’s Day, we celebrate the strength, trust and resilience of mothers like Mackenzie, whose birth experiences highlight the power of support, teamwork and personalized care.
Mackenzie welcomed her son, Malcolm, on January 16, 2024, under the care of the midwife team at Overland Park Regional Medical Center. Guided by midwives Amy Mendus and Amber Clark, she entered labor with a goal of feeling informed, supported and safe.
Her labor was long and challenging, lasting 48 hours, and ultimately resulted in a C-section due to a nuchal cord. Despite the unexpected outcome, Mackenzie felt her birth plan was respected every step of the way.
“My labor with my son was long and taxing, but they understood my birth plan and allowed me to try everything possible to deliver vaginally in a safe way,” she said. “When it became clear that a C-section was the safest option, I felt at peace with the decision. I never felt rushed or dismissed. I felt supported the entire time.”
She also had a doula by her side and appreciated the collaboration among her care team.
“Everyone worked together so well. It truly felt like a team effort, and that collaboration made such a difference in how supported I felt throughout labor,” Mackenzie said.
Two years later, Mackenzie returned to OPRMC to deliver her daughter, Quinn, on January 16, 2026, sharing the same birthday as her brother. This time, she was supported by midwives Ruth Steward and Hannah Goldsmith as she pursued a VBAC.
“It felt incredibly redeeming to have a successful VBAC,” she said. “I felt safe under their care and was fully aware of the risks, but I also felt trusted and empowered in that decision.”
Throughout both experiences, Mackenzie says the consistent level of care made all the difference. “During both births, I felt respected, supported and deeply cared for,” she said. “There were moments that felt overwhelming, but I always felt safe and like my baby and I were in good hands.”
She also credits her care team, including nurse Marisol, for creating a calm and supportive environment, sharing that Marisol’s calm demeanor made her birth experience feel peaceful.
For moms considering a low-intervention birth, Mackenzie emphasizes the importance of both preparation and trust.
“You can really create the environment you want,” she said. “When you understand your body and your options, you feel more in control and confident. At the same time, trusting your birth team to keep you and your baby safe is huge. That balance gave me a lot of peace.”
This Mother’s Day, we are honored to highlight Mackenzie’s journey and the care team who supported her through two very different but equally meaningful birth experiences, each guided by personalized care and a commitment to honoring her preferences.