Exodus Homebith Service logo
Exodus 1:20
Henderson, Iowa
Mission & Philosophy
Nicole Marie Josselyn, CNM
For consultation,
712-326-9790 nicolej@exodushomebirth.com
Service
About Nicole
Mission
       Exodus Homebirth Service exists as a result of God’s call to serve women and their families during a most precious, exciting and life changing time. Our aim is to support women in their choices for the safest, healthiest and most satisfying experiences during their childbearing year and beyond. In serving women thus, we strive to honor Jesus Christ and reflect His love for all people.
Philosophy
       We at Exodus Homebirth Service believe that every child is a gift from God, (1) and that every woman is masterfully designed for pregnancy, childbirth and lactation (2). Since she is designed thus, birth in the home is the safest and most natural place to welcome her new child into the family (3), in most cases. Likewise, breastfeeding is the most nutritious and beneficial way to nourish her newborn. The safety of homebirth and benefits of breastfeeding are not only innate beliefs but also supported by the professional literature (4-18) and the American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM) Position on Homebirth:
Every family has the right to a safe, satisfying childbirth experience, with
respect for cultural variations and human dignity, and the right to
freedom of choice and self-determination…Midwives practice in a variety
of settings including hospitals, homes, and birth centers. The American
College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) supports the choice of families to
birth at home, with midwives in attendance. (19)
       We at Exodus Homebirth Service value mutual trust, communication and responsibility. This means the midwife will keep her knowledge and skills base current, will inform women of all her childbearing choices and that her clinical judgements will be based on the interests of mother and baby. Likewise, the patient will practice healthy lifestyles, make proper preparations for her birth and communicate openly with her midwife.
       Exodus Homebirth Service also holds prayer as another essential ingredient for a healthy childbearing journey (20). Much prayer is made by the midwife and her assistants on behalf of mother, family and new baby for physical and emotional health, and for God’s plan to be fulfilled in their lives. Each clinical decision is also made through careful prayer to the Designer of women and their offspring, the Origin of all wisdom (21).
Services
       Exodus Homebirth Service offers complete childbirth care for healthy women and their families. Prenatal appointments take place in the home of the midwife. The visits are intended to be an informative, collaborative and fulfilling experience attending to each client’s unique physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual needs. Childbirth takes place in the client’s home with a midwife and qualified birth assistant in attendance. Appropriate physician back-up will have been pre-arranged by the midwife and client. After the birth, the midwife will stay with the client until she and her baby are stable, customarily two hours. The following day, the midwife will visit and reassess mother and newborn. Follow up visits in the midwife’s home will take place weekly, as needed.
       Due to the nature of homebirth, expectant couples must be active participants in the process of their childbearing year. They must assume personal responsibility for their own well being, including optimal nutrition and lifestyle choices, educating themselves about pregnancy, making proper home preparations for the birth of their child and securing a physician obstetric consultant and pediatrician. Should unexpected needs arise, the couple must be willing for transport to medical care in the hospital. Exodus midwife or assistant will accompany them until we are confident that they are stable and comfortable.

About Nicole
Picture of Nicole and her husband, Joseph        Nicole Marie Josselyn is a Certified Nurse Midwife. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Humboldt State University in 1996 and her Master of Science degree from San Diego State University in 2000. Her midwifery training was from University of California San Diego School of Medicine. Nicole is trilingual, having skills in English, Spanish and American Sign Language. She has special interest in waterbirth, on which she based her thesis comparing 300 waterbirths with 300 traditional births. Please, read below for her narrative of the call into midwifery.
Nicole with husband, Joseph, and children.
The king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, whom the name of one was Shiphrah and the name of the other Puah;
and said, “When you do the duties of a midwife for the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstools, if it is a son, then you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live.”
But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive.
So the king of Egypt called for the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this thing, and saved the male children alive?”
And the midwives said to Pharoah, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; for they are lively and give birth before the midwives come to them.”
Therefore, God was good to the midwives, and the people multiplied and grew very mighty.
And so it was, because the midwives feared God, that He gave them families.
-Exodus 1:15-21
       It was Spring 1995 when my eyes first glanced upon the above words. I was in nursing school at the time. Anatomy was my favorite subject, and I was on my way to become a surgical nurse. After practically fainting during my first two surgeries and realizing that there is not much human interaction with patients who are anesthetized, I began to wonder if surgical nursing was for me. Then, I heard a lecture from a British trained midwife about careers in midwifery. She was so funny and enthusiastic. I was fascinated, but I doubted midwifery was God’s call for me. I figured I would be too busy in my profession to serve Him if I were a midwife.
       That night during my regular reading time, I read the above. It said, “God was good to the midwives.” Hmm… God honored midwives? Well, I said I would pray about it. Soon after, one door after another opened wide for me to work in obstetrics. As my experience grew, so did my passion to support women in what they were designed to do-- deliver their own babies in the privacy of their own homes.
       The conception of Exodus Homebirth Service came about largely from my dissatisfaction with the hospital birthing experience. In my heart, I knew the hospital was the wrong place to welcome a new member into the family. Hospitals are for sick people. Homes are for families, and especially for women. The home is the woman’s domain, her scope of influence, her source of comfort and the most appropriate setting for normal, low risk births. Hospitals are most appropriate for complicated high risk deliveries. It is my desire to support women in their innate ability to give birth without medical intervention, while making it a most satisfying and pleasant experience.
       Exodus Homebirth Service serves me also. As my role of wife and homemaker is of paramount importance, this home based practice allows me keep my home central, while supporting this value with the women I serve.

About Nicole
Birth

Childbirth Connection Midwives Alliance of North America
American College of Nurse-Midwives Citizens for Midwifery
Nebraska Friends of Midwives Young Living's

Amber and Kayda
May 17, 2014
Glory and Jadon
July 30, 2009
Rachel and Robert
August 30, 2008
Anna and Meadow Rae
August 7, 2008

Birth Story
Rachel and Juliet
March 7, 2007
Daleanne and Trinn
June 19, 2007
Lauren and Gwinevere
March 7, 2006
Erin and Seth
March 15, 2006

Birth Story
Amy and Amber
October16, 2005
Birth Story
Margaret and Kephas
January 15, 2006

Birth Story
Kim and Ezekial
December 24, 2004
Edee and Kathryn
June 24, 2005

(Written by my friend Judy)

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