Midwife Melanie

Melanie Hexen Retterer CPM

Hello, I'm Melanie. I'm a homebirth midwife who believes that birth is not a medical event, but a sacred family event — one that deserves to be honored, respected, and supported with love.

My calling to midwifery is rooted in the belief that women's bodies are designed for birth, and that when families are supported with skill and trust, birth can unfold naturally and beautifully.

My Philosophy

I practice "old-fashioned midwifery," which means I bring my hands, my heart, and my knowledge to your side. I believe in:

• Trusting the process — birth is a powerful, natural event.
• Family-centered care — your home, your rhythms, your choices.
• Safety first — I come fully prepared with training, emergency supplies, and a clear transfer plan, should it be needed.
• Gentle beginnings — protecting the first moments between parent and baby.

My Midwifery Journey

I am a Certified Professional Midwife (since 2000) and Qualified Examiner (since 2006) with the North American Registry of Midwives. Over the years, I've expanded my training to include certifications as a DONA and ALACE certified doula, childbirth educator (since 1990), Dancing for Birth™ instructor, and Reiki Master.

I bring emergency readiness into my practice as well — I'm a nationally certified EMT, with certifications in Healthcare Provider CPR and Neonatal Resuscitation. This balance of holistic wisdom and medical skill allows me to support families with both confidence and calm.

My midwifery journey has been deeply shaped by the wisdom of those who came before me. I was inspired by Jeannine Parvati Baker, trained through traditional homebirth apprenticeship with Pearl Breitbach (beginning in 1992), and later studied at The Farm in Tennessee with Ina May Gaskin (2006). These experiences rooted me in the lineage of midwives who believe in birth as a sacred, natural, and transformative act.

I am also the mother of seven children. My first birth was by cesarean, and the six that followed were home VBACs. These powerful experiences convinced me that every woman deserves to give birth with knowledge, power, dignity, and joy.

What Families Can Expect With Me

When you invite me into your home, you can expect:

• Compassionate, one-on-one prenatal care
• Honest conversations and support for your choices
• A calm, steady presence during labor and birth
• Skilled hands, a watchful eye, and a caring heart
• Ongoing postpartum care as you recover and bond with your baby

I am honored to walk beside families during one of the most transformative times of their lives.

A Personal Note

Every baby I help welcome earthside, every mother I support, every family I witness growing — this is sacred work. I consider it a privilege to be invited into your home and into your story.

Assistants

Jennivieve Vexticy, RN

My name is Jennivieve, and I have been passionate about homebirth since 2001, when I stumbled upon a "misplaced" midwifery textbook at the local library. I devoured every page and instantly fell in love with homebirth and the work of midwives. From that moment, I knew I wanted every woman to experience labor and birth with knowledge, intuition, and empowerment.

I am a trained doula through ALACE (2001) and DONA (2003), and I have supported families in both home and hospital settings. I also trained as a midwifery apprentice from 2005–2008 and have attended homebirths intermittently for over 20 years.

I am a proud mother of three sons, all born at home. My first was born in water, my middle child (10lb 8oz) experienced shoulder dystocia that was successfully managed by midwives, and my youngest had an accidental unassisted birth (ask me about it ❤️).

I am a Registered Nurse, certified in CPR and Neonatal Resuscitation (NRP), and bring both clinical skills and hands-on homebirth experience to my work.

Homebirth Services

Birth as it was meant to be — sacred, simple, supported.

Why Homebirth?

Homebirth is about more than location — it's about honoring birth as a natural, powerful, and sacred event. In the safety and comfort of your own home, you can labor freely, eat when you're hungry, move as your body guides you, and welcome your baby in a space filled with love.

At home, birth unfolds gently. You're not a patient — you're a parent, surrounded by your family, your chosen support, and your midwife. Together we create a calm and secure environment where you feel respected, cared for, and in charge of your experience.

The Benefits of Homebirth

• Comfort: Be in your own bed, your own shower, your own kitchen.
• Freedom: Move, rest, eat, and birth in the positions that feel right to you.
• Family-centered: Partners, children, and loved ones can be as involved as you choose.
• Continuity of care: The same midwife who cares for you in pregnancy will be at your side in labor, birth, and postpartum.
• Gentle start for baby: Immediate skin-to-skin, delayed cord clamping, and uninterrupted bonding are the norm.

Safety First

Homebirth is a safe option for healthy, low-risk pregnancies. I come prepared with emergency supplies and training, including oxygen, medications, and equipment for both parent and baby.

In the rare case that a transfer to the hospital becomes necessary, I accompany you to ensure a smooth and respectful transition. Your safety and your baby's safety are always the priority.

What's Included in Homebirth Care

• Comprehensive prenatal visits in your home or mine, lasting one hour
• 24/7 on-call support for your questions or concerns
• Continuous support during labor and birth
• Immediate postpartum care for both parent and baby
• Complete newborn exam in the comfort of your home
• Postpartum visits at home to support recovery, breastfeeding, and newborn care

Common Questions

Is homebirth safe?
Yes, for healthy, low-risk pregnancies, homebirth is a safe option. Research shows outcomes for planned homebirth with skilled midwives are comparable to hospital births, with lower rates of intervention.

What supplies do I need?
You'll provide a few simple household items and a "birth kit", I'll bring the medical supplies and equipment. I'll give you a checklist well in advance.

Can I give birth in water?
You can give birth wherever you like! I have birthing tubs available for my clients.

What if I need to go to the hospital?
If complications arise, we transfer smoothly and safely. I remain with you to continue support.

Can my children be present?
Absolutely. Siblings are welcome to be part of the experience if that feels right for your family.

Do you take insurance?
Some private insurances cover homebirth. I will direct you to my biller for more information.

What about the birth certificate?
I will walk you through the process of obtaining your baby's birth certificate and social security number.

Testimonials

"What I really like about Melanie as a midwife is her approach to birth as a joyful and fun process. She helps lessen the fear around birth and embrace it as a righteous passage into motherhood."
-Erin

"Best decision of my life."
-Alison

"Melanie is your traditional midwife that you only read about in fairytales. The midwife who tip toes into your roaring birth space & fills the room with peace and clarity all while knitting your baby a hat. She has a wealth of knowledge and truly trusts in physiological birth. Prenatal and postpartum visits simply feel like hanging out with your girl friends. I cannot imagine another pregnancy and birth without her & her team! Her assistants Jenni & Fran have the same calming presence and also know their stuff. Cannot recommend Midwife Melanie enough!"
-Jaiden

A Personal Note from Melanie

I believe birth is not a medical event — it is a family event, a sacred passage, and a moment to be fully present. My role is to guide, to safeguard, and to hold space while you do the powerful work of bringing your baby earthside.

Ready to Explore Homebirth?

If you're curious about whether homebirth is right for you, let's connect. I'd love to hear your story, answer your questions, and support you in discovering the birth experience that feels right for your family.

📞 Phone: 608.622.0312
📧 Email: midwifemelanie@gmail.com
📍 Service Areas: Quad Cities, Muscatine, Iowa City, Tipton, Dubuque, and surrounding areas

Get in Touch