I entered Midwifery school after my VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) in a freestanding birth center in 1992. I felt strongly moved to pursue this career and the Lord opened every door to make it possible. I am blessed to have such an important calling on my life. I love being a Midwife with all my heart!
My experience as a Midwife started at a free-standing birth center in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in 1994. I had the opportunity to learn from 3 very experienced Midwives during my yearlong orientation. I absorbed so much wisdom and confidence. I still rely upon it today.
When I left Pennsylvania for New Jersey, I joined Roxann Mitchell, my friend with whom I had attended Midwifery school, and Cindy Redmond in their physician-owned practice. Although we were employed by a doctor, we had our own clientele that were exclusively Midwifery patients. We worked in a tiny level 1 hospital where we thrived. We had a very “high touch, low tech” practice style that had excellent outcomes for many years.
When the time came that our Physician employer was retiring, we stepped out on our own to start a private practice, Hackettstown Midwives, LLC DBA Midwives of New Jersey in 2007. We added homebirth to our offerings in 2008 and we began at Morristown Medical Center in 2010, where we could again attend women who desired a Trial of Labor after Cesarean (TOLAC). Since then, we have started a Midwife Intern program, introduced “natural” cesarean to Morristown Hospital in 2011, opened an online store, developed complementary programs like MotherCare, lactation circle and childbirth classes, opened additional offices in Madison and Hoboken and, as of 2018, added the option of birth center as a place of birth for our clients.
I am the president and owner of the practice. My primary goal for the Midwives of New Jersey is to give Midwives a place to practice true Midwifery. The expansion of this practice is not a financial decision but a vision-driven decision. We usually have 6-8 Midwives, currently there are 5 Midwives in the group and we all practice our profession with integrity. As we grow, we hope to see the Midwifery Model of Care become a standard for excellent maternity care in New Jersey.
My family has been an integral part of the success of Midwives of New Jersey. Not only do they let my employees and patients “borrow” me on the nights, weekends, and holidays when “regular” moms are available, they ENCOURAGE me to continue my work.
My husband, Warren, has been a rock and a huge behind-the-scenes supporter of Midwifery and my practice. I have 4 grown daughters, 2 son-in-laws and 3 grandchildren. All 3 grandchildren were born into my hands at Our Birthing Center. The beautiful, peaceful entry into the world that my children and grandchildren have enjoyed under the care of Midwives is a birthright of every child. My fight is making this a reality for as many tri-state babies as possible.
My children have all been employed by the Midwives in some capacity over the years, so they have seen for themselves the beauty of pregnancy, birth, and motherhood. My girls have gained a true understanding of the effort and reward that comes with a low-intervention birth.
My daughter Grace is an Obstetric nurse working both at Our Birthing Center since it opened in 2018. She is a calm, efficient and confident nurse helping the Midwives she works alongside. Grace is also a client of the Midwives of New Jersey and Our Birthing Center having delivered her 3 children with them.
My daughter Kathryn has her doctorate in Chiropractic from Life University. Dr. Kathryn has an office in Flanders, NJ. The Midwives Mount Olive office is there. She has another office in the Galaxy Mall in Guttenberg, just down the hall from the Midwives’ office. Kathryn is a family chiropractor with a special interest and skill in pregnancy and childhood chiropractic.
My daughter, Magdalene, is an OB/GYN Resident at St. Peter’s Hospital in New Brunswick. She is a determined young woman with great faith in the physiological process of pregnancy and birth. She is also very interested in women’s health. All the Midwives in New Jersey anxiously await 2028 when she will complete her Residency. We know she will be a bold supporter for us and for the women of New Jersey.
My 4th daughter, Cecilia, is following in her father’s footsteps, with a degree in communications and working in Marketing and Public Relations at her job with Casio. She recently traveled to Japan with Casio clients, helping with their social media content. Cecilia helps manage The Essential Market, photographs important moments in our practice and contributes to MNJ social media content. Hopefully, the next generation of Lederers will further my vision for years to come!
My current project is a new Midwifery practice in Guttenberg, New Jersey. We are thrilled to now be practicing inside Our Birthing Center on the Hudson, which opened in 2024. The birth center and our office are complete, and it is truly AMAZING to look out at the NYC skyline during the day and labor with the twinkling lights of the city in your room at night!
My passion for this work has only grown stronger over the years as I witness both the fruit of our efforts and the continued challenges caused by the prevalent OB model throughout the state. I look forward to many more years working alongside incredible Midwives, bringing much-needed change that benefits parents and children across New Jersey.