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When Caroline looks back on the births of her two children, one word stands out: grateful. Grateful for safe deliveries, the lessons each experience taught her, and most of all—for the unwavering support of Andrea Hedrick, MSN, CNM, who walked with her through both pregnancies and both very different births.

“My pregnancies were actually pretty easy,” Caroline recalls. “Some nausea and heartburn, but nothing complicated. But even with a smooth pregnancy, there’s still so much emotion and so many unknowns—and that’s where Andrea made all the difference.”

Andrea supported Caroline not only medically, but emotionally. “She always made me feel heard. She would come in, sit down, and even though I knew she was incredibly busy, I never once felt rushed. I felt like I was her only patient in that moment. And between appointments, she was just as responsive—always available through the portal if I had questions or needed reassurance.”

First Birth: A Change in Plan

Caroline was optimistic for her first birth. “My goal was to have an unmedicated delivery,” she says. But when she went into labor, things became more intense than she expected. “I started having back labor almost right away, and the pain was constant—I couldn’t relax, and my body just wasn’t progressing.”

Andrea sat with her, listened, and together they made a new plan. “She told me she would support whatever I chose, and that we would follow my birth plan until it no longer made sense. That gave me so much peace. I decided to get an epidural, and Andrea reminded me the most important thing was a healthy baby and mom.”

Labor lasted 14 hours, followed by three hours of pushing. Caroline had moderate complications. “Andrea was right there, the whole time. She didn’t just show up at the end—she coached me through it, cheered me on, and helped me dig deep when I didn’t think I could push anymore.”

After delivery, Andrea made sure Caroline stayed an extra day in the hospital for an iron transfusion and recommended an iron supplement to help her recover at home. “She didn’t stop caring once my baby was here,” Caroline says. “Recovery was hard. I felt weak for a couple of months. But Andrea made sure I knew I wasn’t alone, and that I had a team behind me if I needed anything.”

Second Birth: A Redemptive Experience

Twenty-two months later, Caroline was preparing to meet her second baby—and she knew Andrea would be part of the journey again. “After my first birth, I had back pain at my epidural site for over a year. Going into my second birth, I still wanted an unmedicated birth, but I also wanted to stay flexible, just like before. I knew Andrea supported me 100%.”

This time, her baby was in no hurry. At 40 weeks and 3 days, Caroline opted for an induction after talking through her options with Andrea. Caroline arrived at the hospital already dilated but not yet in active labor. After starting the induction process, and several hours of walking, bouncing, and waiting, Andrea broke her water—and things progressed fast.

“Contractions came on strong, and I was able to move freely through them since I didn’t have an epidural. My husband helped me through the contractions, and Andrea came right back into the room when it was time to push!”

Caroline delivered in the position that felt most natural to her. “Andrea encouraged me to stay where I was comfortable. I pushed for less than 30 minutes, and I felt everything—but in the best way. I felt strong, in control, and connected to the experience.”

She gave birth to a healthy 9 lb 4 oz baby girl, without complications, or medical interventions. “It was a redemptive experience and I felt amazing after. Like I could run a marathon,” she laughed.  “Because I felt so good, Andrea made sure we could go home within 24 hours. I was grateful for how supportive she was.”

One Midwife, Two Transformative Journeys

Caroline reflects on her two very different births with deep appreciation. “Both experiences were beautiful in their own ways. The first didn’t go as planned, but I learned that it’s okay—sometimes the plan changes. And the second birth was everything I had hoped for. Through both, Andrea made me feel like I mattered—not just as a patient, but as a person.”

She credits Andrea’s calm, compassionate presence with shaping both journeys. “She treated me like family. I always felt like she had my best interest in mind. She never rushed me, never dismissed my emotions. We became friends along the way and that’s how she makes you feel. Like you’re not alone, like someone genuinely cares.”

What makes their story even more meaningful is that Andrea has now moved her practice to TriState Health, the very place where Caroline works. “TriState has always felt like family to me—both as an employee and now as a patient,” Caroline shares. “It’s a place where people genuinely care, and where I’ve always felt supported. Having Andrea join the team here just makes it feel even more like home.”

She’s thrilled to continue her care with Andrea at TriState. “It’s the best of both worlds—being cared for by someone I trust, in a place that I love. I know I’m in good hands, and that makes all the difference.”

When asked if she would recommend Andrea, Caroline didn’t hesitate: “If you want to feel heard, encouraged, and like you’re the only person in the room—Andrea is who you want by your side.”