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About Judy Hagan, CNM · Services · About Home Birth · Articles by Judy · Other Articles
My earliest memories were shaped growing up in a large extended family. My grandmother, who many say I resemble in both appearance and interests, had 46 grandchildren. She was a baby nurse who had a deep love for both babies and children. I seem to have inherited both of these passions.
I have been fascinated, not only by babies, but by the miracle of pregnancy and birth from the time I was very young. I remember the first time I saw one of my mother's friends nursing her baby. I was over the moon to find out that was possible. I announced to my mother right then that when I had my babies, I would do that too!
My sister Mary Ann was the first in my immediate family to have a baby. I could not sleep the night my niece was born so I got up and snuck through the ER where no one noticed to go see my sister's new baby. When my sister came home from the hospital, I was the one who cared for the baby so Mary Ann could get some sleep. I remember her first night home. I stayed awake most of it, just looking and holding my niece Kimberly. It was magical!
"Whenever I held my newborn baby in my arms, I used to think that what I said and did to him could have an influence not only on him but on all whom he met, not only for a day or a month or a year, but for all eternity--a very challenging and exciting thought for a mother."
-Rose Kennedy
My Background
I received a BS in Nursing in 1982 and a certificate in Nurse-Midwifery from Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing in 1994. I have been serving women since 1986. I started as a nurse in labor and delivery at two New Jersey hospitals and then at a free standing birthing center for five years. I have been a nurse midwife since 1994 and started a home birth practice in 1997. I am certified by the American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM) and licensed by the New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners. I serve on the faculty of the National College of Midwifery and enjoy mentoring aspiring midwives. I am also a member of the Midwives Alliance of North America (MANA) and Citizens for Midwifery (CFM). I have an extensive knowledge of herbs and homeopathy.
I have four beautiful children, and found becoming a mother and raising children to be the most profound, challenging and rewarding experience of my life. I believe that the babies that come into this world must be treated with love and respect, and that starts with conscious conception and birth.
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Judy's Midwifery Student
Kacey DiVine
When my husband and I found out I was pregnant with our first child we could not have realized just how profoundly that happy information would change each and every aspect of our lives. Throughout my early pregnancy I recalled my childhood fascination with babies and birth. Even at that young age I was awed by human instinct and the power of women alone to bring a precious new life into the world. I knew now, as an adult, I wanted a different kind of pregnancy and birth than most I had seen and heard about.
I found a wonderful midwife and Childbirth Educator who also served as my Doula. After the intense, incredible birth of Ethan I felt sure that I would never return to my career in real estate finance. Instead, I enrolled in teacher training and became a Childbirth Educator myself. Soon after I began teaching I discovered that I was pregnant with my daughter. This time, with Judy as our guide, our family welcomed Leila into the world in our very own bathtub. That experience awakened in me a desire to accompany other women in that very sacred, transformative feminine rite.
After the blissful home birth of our third child, Violet, my husband Adam and I put into motion a plan for me to follow the ever louder voice calling me to the ancient profession of midwifery. After two peaceful home births and experiencing firsthand the remarkable relationship between a woman and her midwife in that setting, it was easy for me to decide that I would attend home births.
I chose to enroll in the National College of Midwifery which allows students to learn within their own community alongside an experienced midwife. The College acknowledges that many students are mothers and has designed a course of study that encourages students to fulfill their dreams without it being a hardship on their family. Now with the help and support of my fantastic family, here I am - becoming what I feel I am meant to be - a midwife!
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© 2008 Judith
Hagan. Website Design by Vesper
Stamper, one of Judy's home birth moms.Music on home page by Ken Galipeau (guitar). and Kris Lamb (flute).