Pregnancy

When I was pregnant with my daughter a decade ago, I had my heart set on a ridiculously expensive designer crib. I’m usually a frugal person, but this crib spoke to me.

Two years ago, Mary Barnett had a thriving career as a certified nurse midwife. She delivered eight babies a month – a lot by midwife standards – while working with Women Partners in Health, a clinic comprised of obstetrician/gynecologists and three midwives.

But that all changed in May of 2002.

That’s when Women Partners in Health followed the lead of Capitol Obstretrics & Gynecology Associates and terminated its midwifery program. By December 2002, only ObGyns could deliver babies in Austin hospitals. Like the other five nurse midwives in town, Mary was out of a job.

Like many young women, I dreamed of having my own children. But my topsy-turvy world caused me to put it off for a long time.

Chiron could serve as Preemie of the Year not due to his uniqueness, but due to his ordinariness.