Chelsea Martin-Burkhardt and her husband, Brandon, with their daughter, August.
“I FELT SUPPORTED EVERY STEP OF THE WAY” DESPITE THE PANDEMIC, THIS FIRST-TIME MOM HAD THE BIRTH EXPERIENCE SHE’D ALWAYS HOPED FOR.
Healthy Together
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hen Chelsea MartinBurkhardt, 31, and her husband, Brandon, of Toms River discovered they were expecting their first child, they were excited. But, like many soonto-be parents, they were also nervous. On top of the usual stressors of pregnancy, Chelsea’s pregnancy coincided with STEVEN CULBERT, MD the peak of the
COVID-19 pandemic. “I wasn’t able to prepare by taking a hospital tour or going to Lamaze class and meeting other moms,” says Chelsea. “But I felt supported every step of the way.” Chelsea was in the delivery room when her best friend gave birth with the help of a midwife, so she knew she wanted a midwife-assisted birth, too. She turned to Ocean Gynecological and Obstetrical Associates, an RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group practice affiliated with Community Medical Center (CMC). “We’re the only practice in the area that has a combined
Winter 2021
12/10/20 8:36 AM
