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.

After suffering for too long with severe hip pain, the 73-year old Weymouth resident chose Dr. Michael Ayers to perform her hip replacement surgery. “I liked him right away,” she said. “He really listened to me and always made great eye contact.”