Mother the Mother
Embedded Files
Maya Bell
Team Luster
Nicki Meyer birthed 36 babies in the last year and has a wall full of commemorative ribbons to prove it. Expecting parents from within an hour range of Union, Missouri, flock to Meyer, who is a certified nurse midwife, for her kind care.
After a series of life-threatening medical events in her early 20s, Meyer pursued her nursing degree. She hoped to become the health care provider she felt she needed when she was young. Seventeen years of emergency medical experience later, she has learned that the highest level of care she can offer is giving her mothers options.
“I could care less if my patient wants to give birth in a barn or an operating room,” Meyer said.
In 2008, Missouri became the 41st state to legalize out-of-hospital midwifery, the same year Meyer started nursing school. Empowered Health, Meyer’s midwifery business, provides a unique choice in a state with highly contentious policies surrounding reproductive health.
She said she wants women to know they have autonomy in what happens to their bodies. It’s all about options and “out here there are none,” Meyer said.
Midnight births and a daily stream of patients might be enough to exhaust anyone, but Meyer powers through. With the supportive presence of her high school sweetheart, Brian Meyer, Meyer is creating a sustainable practice for herself.
Nicki Meyer, right, checks the temperature of a baby doll during an appointment with Lauren Lokey and her two youngest children, Isabella, left, and Selah, at Empowered Health in Union. Selah is 4 weeks old and healthy.
Nicki stretches 4-week old William Kline at his check-in at Empowered Health in Union. William’s mother, Emily Kline, gave birth at home under the care of Nicki.
Nicki, center, prepares to check for Hannah Croy’s baby’s heartbeat as Hamilton Croy, the father, watches Tenesi Croy, 8 months, crawl on the office floor at Empowered Health. Hannah’s pre-natal appointment included conversations about vaccination schedules.
Nicki drives through backroads to get to Kristin Jarvis’ home in Marthasville, Mo. Nicki cares for patients within an hour range of her home in Union.
Kristin Jarvis, right, cradles her newborn baby, Paisley Jarvis, between her legs as she listens to her midwife, Nicki, explain her post-natal care plan at her home in Marthasville, Mo. Kristin gave birth on Sept. 25.
Nicki, left, listens to Megan Oberg, a certified professional midwife, discuss a difficult birth situation at Missouri Baptist Medical Center in Town and Country, Mo. Both Nicki and Megan emphasize clear communication with mothers in their birthing experiences. Meyer believes that birth becomes traumatic if the mother does not have autonomy in the medical decisions.
Nicki puts her medical supply bags in her car at Missouri Baptist Medical Center in Town and Country, Mo. Nicki’s profession includes constant regional travel between her home-care and in-hospital patients.
Nicki puts on makeup at her home in Union. Meyer values functionality over fashion but still enjoys her quiet routine.
Nicki and her husband, Brian Meyer, kiss in their kitchen in Union. The couple began dating in high school and raised two children, Ian and Isaac Meyer, in their hometown.
After supporting her co-midwife, Megan, through a client’s birth complications, Nicki relaxes with a bonfire built by her husband, Brian, at their home in Union. Nicki said their partnership is a crucial part of her ability to cope with the realities of her medical profession.
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