At 85 years “young,” fearlessly independent Jean was fortunate to have good health on her side. In the spring of 2013; however, her health took an unexpected turn while mourning the loss of her late daughter, and she was subsequently taken to South Shore Hospital, diagnosed with acute renal failure...

As Weymouth resident Esther Nganga sat holding her beautiful 11-week old son, Jabari, she laughed recalling her initial skepticism of having a midwife birthing experience. “Growing up in Kenya, I always heard tales of midwives—tales of women laboring and giving birth without the option for pain intervention,” Esther said.

South Shore Health celebrates National Midwifery Week with a look back at the history of the craft, both globally and here on the South Shore.

Sometimes, the biggest miracles come in the smallest packages. After trying unsuccessfully for many years to get pregnant, Ed and Wendy Batchelder of Bridgewater were shocked when Wendy became pregnant at age 44. “It was a total surprise, but a wonderful, happy surprise,” Wendy said. “We had pretty...