Fremont Midwifery

There are not enough stars on all of Unilocal for Fremont Midwifery. I switched to Fremont Midwifery after I met Geraldine when she was filling in for someone else. When I met her, I knew that she had to be the one to deliver my baby. Geraldine and Tracy are exemplary midwives and people in every way. They manage to combine their impressive expertise and skills with warmth, compassion, and a sense of humor. They both gave me prenatal care and attended the birth of my daughter at the Center for Birth, and then visited my home after her birth. I was never made to feel pressured, and I always felt that they really listened to me. My labor was protracted and difficult toward the end. I felt as if I couldn’t do it. Rather than just saying that I could either go to the hospital or keep going, Geraldine gave me concrete options for how I could keep going. It was what I needed. Through pain and exhaustion, I still remember how Geraldine’s, Tracy’s and Sarah’s (midwifery student) eyes kept me anchored during contractions and saw me through. When my daughter came into the world, it was peaceful, calm, and my family was surrounded by the incredible support of these women. I could not have asked for anything better. Thank you Geraldine, Sarah, Tracy.

I chose Fremont Midwifery based on a personal recommendation from an acquaintance who had delivered once with Geraldine as the midwife and said she had a calm, clear, reassuring «bedside manner» and was very professional. She and Tracy lived up to those expectations. After seeing Geraldine and Tracy throughout my prenatal care, including some times I was referred to an obstetric practice for further testing, I absolutely felt the care they gave me was thorough and responsible. I wanted to choose a midwifery practice where I felt the care was evidence-​based and I would get all the latest recommended prenatal/​obstetric tests. I’m totally happy with Fremont Midwifery on this front as well.

I transferred to Fremont Midwifery after meeting with several certified nurse midwives at various practices in and around Seattle. Although I appreciate the strong ideological approach that many take towards birth, I confess I was less concerned with where the birth would take place and was far more interested in receiving great prenatal care from providers who spent time getting to know me.
The first thing I noticed about Tracy (whom I met with initially) was her calm presence and very thoughtful responses to my questions. Where I had felt rushed with other care providers, Tracy was completely focused on our conversation — no looking at clocks, checking for the next patient — just lots of calm and ease. Also reassuring, I did a lot of informal checking and reading up on both Tracy and Geraldine, they are highly respected in the birth community — by both their fellow midwives and MDs.
At the tail-​end of my prenatal care, I had a massive insurance hiccup. It’s not worth explaining here, but suffice it to say that Geraldine and Tracy were my advocates throughout — writing letters on my behalf, scanning their certifications into my insurance company, listening to my rants, etc.
As to the actual birth… WOW. Geraldine was on call and attended my birth — my long long long first-​baby birth. I realize this sounds exceptionally naïve, but I simply did not realize how intense labor is. More to the point — I knew some women had complicated births, but I really thought birth = natural, therefore my body will do this… easily. My birth was not easy, but throughout I had total confidence in Geraldine’s judgment. Our baby did need resuscitation and Geraldine performed this so quickly and competently that my baby was back on my chest before I had a chance to register worry.
After my long active labor, my body was very sore. In addition, I was having some hefty breast feeding issues. Geraldine was so present to us during this time. Hardly a day went by without Geraldine or our doula (Alissa Wehrman — also a amazing) at our sides. I needed a lot of reassurance and had an overwhelming need to reprocess my birth — Tracy and Geraldine were incredibly patient and kind and continued to see me until I felt as though I no longer needed regular visits.
I am so exceptionally grateful to have had such amazing care before, during, and after birth. Thank you, Fremont Midwives!

I chose Geraldine and Tracy for my prenatal, birth, and postpartum care for a few reasons. I believe in supporting midwives and a woman’s right to choose where, how, and with whom she gives birth. I’ve been a labor support doula for the past twelve years. The care and personalized attention midwives give to their clients is something I feel passionately about for women. Midwives have a history of fully investing themselves into their clients and trusting that a woman’s body is designed to give birth. I wanted to avoid a medical system that often plays on fear of birth and distrust in women’s bodies. When my turn came, I chose midwives for these reasons.
I had a good relationship built with the Fremont midwives. I had established a trust in them and they knew I was taking care of myself with exercise, monitoring my blood sugar, and seeing a physical therapist for the common aches of pregnancy. I was fully invested in my care and wanted to be sure I was healthy for myself and my baby. So when they referred me to a high risk obstetrician «just to make sure» my pelvic pain was normal (turns out it was nothing to worry about), I agreed. That began a cascade of typical hospital tests ordered by that high risk OB «just to make sure» my baby was okay. Weekly NSTs and growth ultrasounds (all was well.) I played along because I thought I was supposed to. I should have known better.
I was with Tracy and Geraldine until I reached full term, and then they suddenly dropped me from their care via phone one day. This was due to that high risk obstetrician telling them that she thought it would be best if I had continuous fetal monitoring while in labor — which has become protocol in most hospitals anyway, and one reason why women choose to birth at home. This OB’s reasoning was due to a heart rate drop on the third NST I had in her high risk clinic. One that, at the time, the nurses said was probably due to me not drinking enough water that day, or moving a certain way while having a Braxton-​Hicks contraction. A test that I really shouldn’t have been having in the first place… except for the fact that I was placed in a high risk clinic with high risk protocols and was a low-​risk woman. Every time I had an NST I would get the lecture from a nurse or OB that home birth isn’t safe. I ignored them because they work in a high risk clinic, where high risk pregnancies needed to be. Not me.
While I tried to understand Geraldine’s position, that she was too nervous to keep me as a client and that due to her hesitancy to attend my birth, that wouldn’t make for a healthy or positive birth environment, I cried for three days when I got dumped. It felt like a breakup. I had asked her if she would help me find another midwife to take me on and she said I should just call around. She admitted she didn’t think I was high risk, but said that «based on Dr. ____’s opinion, you’re not low-​risk enough to birth at home.»
I asked her to attend my birth with me if I couldn’t find a midwife and was therefore forced to have a hospital birth, and she told me I could hire her as a doula for an additional fee, which was higher than any other doula fee in this area. I said no; I had already hired a doula for my planned home birth. What I needed was an advocate. I needed a midwife.
I felt abandoned and scared. And I felt fucked over. Dropping a mother from your care who is not high risk when she is at term and is at her most vulnerable, just because an OB has given her medical opinion that home birth isn’t safe for that woman (which just about every OB is taught to believe anyway) was not professional in my opinion. And not what midwives do. Midwives listen to their clients. They look at the whole woman and they don’t involve the opinion of subjective controversial testing in the first place.
I called every home birth midwife and couldn’t find one who would take me on at full term. September is one of the busiest baby-​having months; no one had availability.
I begrudgingly went for other NSTs at the hospital, where I felt now I had no choice but to deliver. All tests were perfect. The OB ordered another ultrasound and the tech determined my baby was close to ten pounds. OB then made comments about induction at 39 weeks. Knowing that ultrasounds measuring fetal weight can be off by about 10%, I doubted my baby was that big. And I wasn’t going to go down the intervention road if I didn’t have to. I walked out and never went back.
I had attended a birth at Swedish Ballard Childbirth Center as a doula and had remembered the midwife I worked with providing great care. I called them and they took me on.
I gave birth a few days later to a perfect 8lb boy, no interventions, no meds. I had never met my midwife. But she believed I could do it, and trusted me as much as I trusted myself. That was two months ago.
Since the day they dropped me, the Fremont midwives have never called me to see how I’m doing.

I love these midwives. They are caring, professional, and provide the incredible and safe care a low-​risk woman can hope to have outside of the hospital. What I especially appreciate about them is the fabulous collaborative working relationship they have with other midwives in the community. It shows that they are well-​respected, not just by clients, but also by their peers. It came in super handy for my birth after a long labor at home, and a transfer to a wonderful CNM in the hospital who took the transfer simply because Geraldine was her awesome self. I recommend this practice eagerly and often!

Geraldine and Tracy were the perfect fit for me throughout my pregnancy and I couldn’t have hoped for better care during and after labor.

Geraldine and Tracy are amazing. Geraldine attended both of my home births, and Tracy was there to assist at the second one. Each experience was completely different from the other, yet Geraldine knew just the right things to say and do during my birthing process that I feel enabled me (and my husband, for that matter) to pull through and have both of our daughters at home. They both have an understated confidence that let us be at ease and focus on having our babies, knowing that they had the medical aspect covered.
As for pre and post natal care, that was fantastic as well. Me and my family would look forward to our visits. It is such a treat to be in your new baby nest, and have your provider come to you in those first days and weeks.

I’ve birth assisted multiple times with Geraldine & Tracy & they are AMAZING! I recommend them highly. They are kind, professional and FUN. They have an incredible ability to act quickly and efficiently when needed and are wonderfully equipped medical professionals. They provide thoughtful and thorough midwifery services. I feel confident in trusting the health and happiness of moms and babies in their hands. They are both a joy to work with. Every neighborhood needs a midwifery practice like Fremont Midwifery!

My wife and I started out at a midwifery practice in Green Lake, but given that practitioner’s limited hours, we thought about looking elsewhere.
One Sunday afternoon, we were driving through Wallingford after picking up a futon for our new nursery/​spare room, and passed by Fremont Midwifery. Our first impression simply from driving by was that the clinic looked warm, and very inviting. My wife called Fremont Midwifery the next day and scheduled a meet and greet with Geraldine. This turned out to probably be the best decision we made during the entire pregnancy!
From our first meeting with Geraldine and onward with Geraldine & Tracy (this practice has two midwives), we felt right at home sat in their cozy clinic, on what could have been a sofa in either of their living rooms.
Neither of us were overly nervous about the process of having a baby, but we were relaxed even further at every visit with Tracy or Geraldine. They both have a very relaxed, and calm nature which ultimately kept us positive about the unknowns of our first child.
My wife and I felt like we could discuss anything with them, and most of the time did. We both came to the conclusion that Geraldine & Tracy were just «our kind of people».
Unfortunately for us, our baby was a little eager to be with us, so we had to forgo the water birth at Seattle Birth Center that we’d planed for. This also meant that Tracy and Geraldine wouldn’t be catching our baby :(However, Fremont Midwifery does offer a doula service should you want either Tracy or Geraldine to be present in a situation where the mother needs to be transferred.
On the morning that my wife went into labor, we called Fremont Midwifery’s emergency number, and Tracy (who was on call) promptly told us to go to the UW Medical center’s labor suite given the symptoms we described over the phone. Upon arrival, we were directed straight into an examination room, so that my wife could be seen. Tracy had already phoned UW and advised them of our arrival, so they were there waiting for us.
Following the initial examination, we learned that our son was way too eager to be born, and given the 4cms of dilation, was going to be delivered today. I call Tracy to inform her, and she asked me If I’d like her to attend as a doula? I instantly replied «yes», and following being checked into a private room, Tracy arrived with breakfast for both my wife and myself.
Tracy stayed with us pretty much all day, except for popping out to grab us lunch via another client in the area. She was the perfect blend of support and space we needed right up until my wife’s labor really started to progress. During the active labor, Tracy was amazing! She had cold compresses, glasses of water and ice, words of advice for both my wife and I. Just as our baby decided to make an appearance, Geraldine came by, and was on hand to take pictures with our cameras.
Could my wife have handled the labor on her own? Absolutely! Would we have Geraldine or Tracy with us next time? Both of them if possible, without a doubt!
As we all took turns holding our new baby boy, the joy in both Tracy and Geraldine’s eyes made it clear that they take great pride in what they do, and genuinely connect with their clients. The home and office visits that followed were equally enjoyable and informative, and slightly sad given that we knew we wouldn’t be seeing the girls on a regular basis in future. We’ve remained friends, however, and have been on brunch dates since!
No bad feelings toward our first midwife, because she was a lovely person, but Fremont Midwifery made this process so much more easier and enjoyable. We’re so glad we swapped. And we will definitely be going to them for our second ;)

**Please note when I use the pronouns «her or she» I am referring to both Tracy and Geraldine. I received care from both, and they are both fantastic.
I began seeing Geraldine Lee and Tracy Cooper of Fremont Midwifery last November when I first found out I was pregnant. I got their name from a list of preferred providers with my insurance, but I knew as soon as I met with Geraldine that I was in the right hands. At the time, I had just moved to the Seattle area, and things weren’t exactly ideal with the baby’s father. Instead of just breezing over the blood pressure checks and heart burn remedies and sending me on my way, Geraldine provided that woman to woman mental and emotional support as well, spending around an hour every appointment discussing the emotions I was feeling; the good and the bad. Her support throughout my prenatal care was invaluable.
Reflecting back on my experience with them, I think the biggest take-​away is that they are not trying to push an agenda on their clients. There is no judgement, there is no guilt, there is no better-​than-​you haughty attitude that many health care providers exude. There is just a constant, warm support.
My pregnancy progressed normally, and we began to plan a birth at Seattle’s Center for Birth in Eastlake. She recommended several birth preparation classes that would provide us the information we needed, in the format that fit us the best. We ended up taking a class with April Bolding through the Penny Simkin Center, which I also highly recommend! I felt empowered and ready for the experience of childbirth and felt like I had prepared as best as I could, and had the right support team rooting me on!
I was a few days overdue when my water broke, and it became go time! I labored throughout the night and the next morning, with frequent contact with the midwives. When it was time, Geraldine met us at Center for Birth. She drew a hot bath, I pushed for 45 minutes, and our beautiful little boy was born. I admit I was not the most graceful [or quiet] laborer, but Geraldine never blinked and was a calming professional in charge of the situation. I never doubted her judgement, and we were able to have a drug free labor and delivery. She cleaned us all up, got breastfeeding off to a great start with the help of her student midwife assistant, Sarah, and within two hours we were home and settling into life as a family of 3.
To sum it all up, I highly recommend Fremont Midwifery! They are professionals who are down to earth, and excellent at their jobs!

We switched our care to Geraldine and Tracy at about 16 weeks, and I am so glad we did! Throughout our pregnancy, birth, and in the weeks after birth we received exceptional care at their calm, confident, competent hands.
Looking back on my birth there is not a single thing I would change about how my care was managed. Not a single thing. I was involved and respected every step of the way.
Geraldine and Tracy are highly knowledgeable and professional, and their expertise shows in every interaction. At the same time, they managed to put me at ease and make me feel informed and in control of decisions in my care. Those two things very rarely go together in a medical professional. I simply cannot recommend them highly enough!

My wife and I recently had a baby and we used Fremont Midwifery and were VERY pleased with their services.
Geraldine Lee & Tracy Cooper have been wonderful though the whole process.
The professionalism and care we have seen from them over the pregnancy and birth is almost unexplainable. They really have a passion for what they do.
If my wife and I have another child we will go through them again for a midwife service.

Being a doula in the Seattle area for 3+ years, I have had the most delightfully enjoyable experiences working alongside Licensed Midwife Geraldine Lee, of Fremont Midwifery.
I cannot speak more highly to her personable nature, the highly-​praised individualized care she gives to each and every one of her clients, her passion and warmth, as well as her extensive clinical knowledge and experience, both here in Seattle, and internationally.
When I first started attending births with Geraldine, I learned so much from her demeanor with clients. The way she spoke to them with genuine patience and respect while explaining events in the moment, engaging feedback from mothers and their partners, gently urging them on, a calm and unconditionally assuring presence. She is everything I would want in a midwife — confident and intelligent, exacting and honest, with an absolutely personable and compassionate nature. Even now, after attending a birth with Geraldine, I am left with a sense of gratitude for the things I continue to learn.
Just a quick note here to say «Thank you, Geraldine!» for all you have done and continue to do for birthing women in Seattle. You are a gift to the birthing community!