“Birth is not only about making babies. Birth is about making strong, mothers- strong, competent, capable mothers who trust themselves and know their inner strength.”- Barbara Katz-Rothman
“I moved to Sedona almost 5 months into my pregnancy, I was so worried that I wouldn’t be able to have the birthing experience I truly wanted. Peaceful, at home, and all natural. I found Maryn after doing a search online and decided to meet up with her to see if we were on the same page. I was amazed at her take on birth, she was so empowering, exactly what I wanted. Maryn never once made me feel like birth was something my body or mind wasn’t prepared for. She reinforced the confidence I already had in myself and my womanly instincts, and for that I am immensely greatful. I always enjoyed our check-ups and loved that she had a special and not commonly found view of birth as being a sacred event, one that is natural, life changing and empowering (rather than a medical emergency). I was able to have my dream birth at home, in water, in a peaceful environment. Maryn was so wonderful and supportive, and although I knew I didn’t “need” her to be there I was thankful to have such a wise and strong woman present.”
Dyani, Sedona
“During my first trimester of pregnancy, my husband and I decided to move back to Sedona from Denver. I was excited about moving back so I could be close to my family, but I was anxious about having to find a new doctor to finish out my pregnancy with. When I was pregnant with my first child, my daughter Kenzie, I initially wanted to have a homebirth, but after finding an obstetrician I really liked, I ended up having her in the hospital.
Knowing I was moving back to Sedona, I started to think about having a homebirth again. I did some research on the internet and found Maryn and a couple other midwives practicing in the area. The next day I had two random people reccommend Maryn to me and I hadn’t even mentioned the fact that I wanted to birth at home. At that moment, I believed that it wasn’t a coincidence that Maryn’s name was popping up everywhere. I was supposed to meet Maryn and have my baby in my hometown of Sedona.
I contacted Maryn once we got moved in and was ecstatic to have her be my midwife. Maryn and her apprentice Margo met my every need throughout my pregnancy. They provided with much more comprehensive care than my previous doctor. Instead of just telling me what I needed to do and running tests, they educated me. They provided me with all the information I wanted concerning the tests and never once told me what I had to do. I was very empowered throughout my pregnancy which reassured my strength in my ability to birth at home naturally.
I ended up having my son, Zeus, on August 13th, 2011 in my living room. I had a peaceful, natural waterbirth and it was everything I wanted. I owe many, many thanks to Maryn and Margo. Their support and wisdom truly helped me own my labor and delivery. Their love and care created a peaceful environment for my newborn son to come into. There was no poking or prodding or shots… just mama, baby, and family. I could go on forever about all the knowledge they shared with me and about how grateful I am to have found Maryn, but I won’t.
However the main thing I learned from Maryn that I will be forever grateful for is the fact that birthing can be beautiful, calm, and peaceful. Babies do not have to be born in hospitals, birth is not a high risk event, and women do not have to be told how, when, and where to birth their babies. I just wish this valuable information could spread throughout our great Earth like a wildfire so that midwives like Maryn and Margo could have a greater opportunity to make the world a better place, one family at a time…”
Mindy, Sedona
“My husband’s promotion moved us to Gila County in my third trimester. After two months of interviewing midwives, receiving less than adequate prenatal care from one and being subjected to their indecisiveness and over-scheduling we had almost given up hope of having a home birth. At 36 weeks, we met with Maryn. We fell in love with her at the start! Her diligence in teaching her clients their options in prenatal care, home birth and after birth care for their newborn is irreplaceable. Her willingness to be available to answer questions and cheerful attitude was and still is invaluable as her caring nature extends through to postpartum care.”
Autumn, Payson
“I sought Maryn for both prenatal care and labor & delivery for two separate pregnancies. Maryn offered me/us an abundance of knowledge, in addition to choices and reliability. I can honestly say that there was never a moment in which I did not feel safe in her care.
Maryn is an asset to the Arizona community, and we need more women like her who practice honorably and offer women, like myself, the safe option to birth at home. I support Maryn in her practice as a Licensed Midwife to its fullest capacity. She has given our family options, founded on a basis of encouragement and support that continues, and we look forward to utilizing her services again in the future.”
Amanda, Scottsdale
“I am 27 years old and I have known that I would want my children to be born at home for as many years as I knew I wanted a family someday. Maryn made this dream come true. She cared for and guided me, as well as my husband, from the time I was eight weeks pregnant until my son was six weeks old. I cannot imagine having a baby any other way or with anyone else. When I went into labor, my son was posterior and my labor lasted two full days while he turned into the best position and prepared to be born. If I had been in a hospital I would have never been allowed to labor this long and would have been given a C-section. My heart would have been broken. Maryn made me feel safe, informed, and loved during the nine months she cared for my family. She organized group prenatal sessions where I befriended other pregnant women, as well as a childbirth class and a postpartum information group. We never doubted her knowledge and frequently looked to her for advice and support outside of our scheduled appointments. We still look to her as a guide and a friend. There is no one I would rather receive prenatal and postpartum care from and I hope that I will get the chance to have another baby under Maryn’s care in the near future.”
Meghan, Sedona
“My daughter and her husband worked with Maryn as their midwife for the birth of their son Cormac on March 27, 2011. I was very impressed by the level of care my daughter received throughout her pregnancy. Maryn was always available and the care was of a quality that you don’t see given by doctors. She paid special attention to my daughter’s individual needs when it came to diet and nutrition for the health of the mother and the baby. This holistic approach is lacking and it is great to see it returning with women being able to have the choice in how they want to deliver their children and with whom. I think it is very important that midwives are an option and that Maryn is able to continue the good work she has done. Her care extended far beyond just the birth and involved prenatal classes and now post-birth classes as well. This approach supports the parents and the babies as well in achieving optimum health with Maryn’s comprehensive and nurturing care.”
Jill, Sedona
“I have always felt that birth is a sacred and private event to be shared between a woman and her partner – not a medical event involving monitors, drugs and bright lights. This is why I chose to have both of my babies at home. Maryn supported and guided me through both of my pregnancies all the while sharing my belief that a woman innately knows how to give birth. She gives you space to own your experience, to sit in your own power and yet you know that she is there to answer any question, to remedy any problem, to be your rock when you think you just can’t do it. Thank you Maryn for the beautiful work you do. We are all blessed to have you.”
Arin, Clarkdale
“I look back on my prenatal care with Maryn with great fondness. I learned so much, was so inspired, and did so well growing my perfect daughter Nina because of her. Maryn always supported us and encouraged me to be educated in my decisions. She also gave great guidance in helping me find my own answers. Her clear explanation of the importance of specific nutrition during pregnancy-I’ve learned- is absent in most prenatal care. I’m so grateful for the education she shared with me.
My strongest evidence of her dedication to support our wishes in pregnancy and birth is in her willingness to use a fetascope exclusively-even during heavy laboring- to avoid the Doppler as we had requested. Her confidence in me to deliver in “3 more pushes”, even after hours at home of little “progress” again kept me feeling empowered enough to do actually do it. Every mama should be so lucky to have Maryn walk through this time with her.”
Crystal, Sedona
“I love Maryn! I knew from the moment we met that she would be the perfect person to help us welcome our 5th child into the world. She has a very gentle, unobtrusive way about her that exudes calmness and strength, along with plenty of common sense and experience. While small in stature, Maryn has the confidence of a giant. She was willing to do anything it took to help me achieve the healthiest pregnancy possible. I love that all of our appointments were in my home. Not having to find a babysitter for every appointment was wonderful. If we ever have another child I would most definitely chose Maryn to care for me and my baby. I feel like I have found a true friend in Maryn. I am blessed to know her!”
Amy, Cottonwood
“Maryn is extremely knowledgable, caring and experienced in her midwifery care. Throughout the pregnancy, birth & postpartum visits, she provided us with exactly what we needed and wanted. Maryn is flexible, wise and loving. She assisted me with maintaining trust and confidence in myself, my body & my baby every step of the way.”
Linda, Sedona
“It was an honor when I became pregnant to have Maryn at my birth. During the time she provided midwifery care to me and my family, I got to see first hand how Maryn truly empowers women and families to have the birth they feel “fits” their individual circumstances while still maintaining a safe birth environment. With each decision that is to be made in birth, Maryn provides families with the options that are available. This truly enabled my family to make safe, informed, decision about our midwifery care. I felt that I was heard, and respected. It is the best midwifery care I have received. (I have had midwifery care in WA State with a previous birth).”
Sunny, Flagstaff
“Maryn created a space for my family to experience the most empowering and honoring pregnancy and birth that we had envisioned for ourselves. She operates from a space of compassion, trust, knowledge, and gentleness. She does not impose any set beliefs and clearly informs you about all your choices so you can explore your options supporting you in your own individual choices. Maryn was able to inform and guide me on multiple levels and my partner and I felt 100% confident in her ability to guide us through any situation. She truly cares about you and about creating an opportunity for you to experience birth the way you envision in a space of love and empowerment. I recommend her to everyone, and I will continue to. Thank you, Maryn, for guiding us through the birth we always wanted and had!”
Clint, Michelle, and Quanah
Sedona
“I switched to Maryn’s care half way through my pregnancy and will never regret it. Prenatally, during birth, and postpartum, Maryn provided the best care a woman and her family can ask for. Prenatal care was done in the comfort of our home, on our own bed, where later our baby was born. Maryn adjusted herself to our lives, schedules, and needs so naturally and easily that we couldn’t wait until our next appointment. During the birth Maryn did just what was needed, she was there when I wanted her, and quiet and respectful when I just wanted to be with my husband or by myself. She has a calm and assuring presence which made my birthing experience very positive. Then, after the baby was born, she made sure to continue the excellent care, always answering questions, ready for different scenarios, and just being there for our family. If I birth again I know I will have Maryn by my side once more”.
But my mother’s testimony is important too. She was scared about the whole home birth idea until she met Maryn at one of our prenatals. After Maryn walked out the door my mother said “if she could be the midwife at every birth I think every woman should have a homebirth”.
Moran, Flagstaff
“Looking back, I see how powerful this was (my son’s birth), because I believe that ultimately, loving and accepting yourself is really the most important thing in life you can do and the one thing we often have the most trouble with. This birth helped me learn how to better trust my invaluable inner wisdom, power and intelligence. I realize that Maryn was absolutely the right choice for the journey I happen to be on in this life. I hope your birth helps you in a similarly powerful way.”
Sofya, Flagstaff
“After a harrowing first birthing experience, and pregnant with our second, thankfully, I met Maryn at a friend’s son’s birthday party. At once I noticed that Maryn exudes tranquility and peace without being passive or wimpy; she is obviously very knowledgeable in her field and her personality is rounded out with a touch of feistiness regarding women’s right to have the birth experience they want. I switched to her care (from doctor’s care) immediately. Maryn was a true blessing in the birth of my second. It was delightful and a great bonding experience to be in our home just after the birth and it was so much more peaceful and relaxing than being in the hospital without a doubt! I was wonderfully surprised at the after care as well. She actually came out to my house after the baby was born for check-ups.
Now I am 8 months pregnant with our 3rd – another big surprise- and I was and am delighted to be able to have Maryn be in charge of my care from start to finish with this pregnancy. Having the prenatal care in my house is a fantastic benefit. Maryn has been a great support during this pregnancy answering all of my many questions and concerns without judgment (sometimes more than once), keeping on top of my progress and giving me firm but gentle reminders of what I need to get done by when. As a result I feel very comfortable with having my second home water birth with Maryn and know that I am in very capable hands!”
Tonya, Sedona
“Thank you for dedicating your life to delivering babies in a peaceful and healthy way! We need more women like you!”
Melissa, Ohio
“Once I met Maryn I knew I wasn’t alone in trying to have the healthiest pregnancy I could. She was there for me and she truly cared about my and my baby’s health. Ultimately it was my decision on how well my pregnancy went. Maryn was my guide and my friend, not someone that has the “final word” on my health. I believe that if you trust in your body, baby and the birth process, all will go well.”
Linny, Indiana
“I don’t know what i would have done without Maryn during my last pregnancy. Her love, care, knowledge and wisdom, and even her sense of humour, were so incredibly healing and supportive for me. It was my second pregnancy, and i was attempting to have what the state of Arizona calls a “high risk labour and delivery”. I had to hire an out-of-state midwife for the delivery, and she was not going to be here to look after me until only a few weeks before the birth. Maryn knew I was not being cared for prenatally, and wanted to help me any way she could. She knew I was having a particularly challenging pregnancy (ie. all-day nausea, developed strong food sensitivities/allergies, emotional/mental distress from previous cesarean birth experience), and wanted me to feel cared for, looked after and loved. And that’s exactly what she did for me. I immediately began feeling more at ease, excited about my pregnancy, my baby….the joys of the experience came back to me. I remembered how much I had enjoyed being pregnant with my first baby, and so began enjoying my second, and finally began connecting with my precious baby. I began feeling much more positive about the upcoming birth of my baby, and began to trust my body to grow and birth a healthy baby again. She empowered me, helped me to empower myself. Maryn suggested that I talk with my baby…ask him to please move to the best birthing position so that our birthing experience may be one of joy together. He heard me! He moved from a breech posterior, which is the position my first baby was in, and no one told me I could change that! I suddenly felt empowered and connected with my baby, just as I did during my first pregnancy, which the “emergency” cesarean (what a joke) had taken away from me. Like we were doing this TOGETHER. I was healing. I felt empowered. Thanks to Maryn. This is the midwife, woman, friend, i would want supporting me through any pregnancy and who I would want right by my side during any labour and birth in the future. She is honest, passionate, and stands by her word with honour and integrity. She is a beautiful woman and an incredible midwife. Any pregnant woman in her care is a blessed woman.”
Samantha, Sedona
“After having our first baby at home with a midwife we loved, I despaired of finding someone for our second birth that would meet my ridiculously high expectations. We almost didn’t go with Maryn because of a scheduling conflict, but I KNEW on our first meeting that she was exactly what we were looking for.
Maryn is the perfect mix of guide//co-laborer/sister/expert you could ask for. She never takes away your control or privacy- from the very first meeting to the birth- but always is informative and helpful in presenting ALL the facts and options. She has a wealth of knowledge and wisdom but does not hesitate to guide you in discovering the latest information and facts about every decision you have to make. And that’s her specialty- making you realize that you are the one making the decisions, you are the one doing it, and she is there to be your midwife to not only help you have your baby but to figure out what YOU want to do.
Maryn was intuitively exactly what I needed during the birth. I was amazed at how she seemed to know, every moment, what I needed and wanted. We had the lightest, most ridiculously fun labor, and I KNOW that it was that way because Maryn provided a part of the atmosphere needed to make it happen.
If we have another baby, Maryn will once again be by my side. I feel privileged and grateful to have found her.”
Rosie, Flagstaff
First of all I want to thank Maryn for being flexible, without her willingness to work with us, I wouldn’t have had the experience of a home birth.
It was wonderful to have Maryn as a midwife, she had great knowledge, passion, and confidence. She has the ability to make you feel empowered in the decision for wanting to go against the “norm” and have a natural home birth. During labor, being able to make the decision on where and what position I gave birth was a relief, Evie Lynn was born posterior at 10:50pm. If I was in the hospital, I more than likely would have had a c-section. Listening to my body and the encouragement from Maryn and my husband made it all worth it. I highly recommend the experience of a home birth, with Maryn at your side.
Jasmine, Cottonwood
