By Tori Hinde

Nancy Albrecht began her career with an interest in learning how people ticked and helping them when life was a challenge, earning a Master’s degree in psychology and counseling. But during the years she was raising her four amazing daughters, her passion became natural childbirth and breastfeeding education and support. She taught Lamaze classes and volunteered as a La Leche League Leader.

“As a little girl, I always said I wanted to be a nurse – roles for women in the 1950’s were fairly limited to teacher, nurse, secretary, wife and mother. I rejected those stereotypes in the 60’s and thought I would be an engineer or mathematician or doctor!” said Nancy, Director of Clinical Nursing Services at Women’s Birth & Wellness Center. “Then Psychology and counseling became my direction, until I had my daughters. All roads led back to supporting, teaching, and caring for women, babies, and families, so I volunteered with LLL and became a childbirth educator.”

As her children grew, she decided to return to school to pursue nursing as a career, focusing on maternal and child health, which allowed her to continue supporting and teaching families but also get paid for her work. Returning to school at the age of 40 with four daughters was not an easy road, but Nancy’s experience and perspective made her all the better student and nurse.

“Being a mother and student helped me to focus on each part of my life more. As an adult learner, I was determined to understand all the information not just memorize the facts,” said Nancy. “My girls had to be more self-reliant and help take care of each other, but I tried to keep up our family traditions. The rule of the house was – don’t talk to mommy until she is out of her uniform!”

Nancy’s relationship with WBWC started in 1987 when she sought a different birth experience for her fourth pregnancy and found the Birth Center in Siler City, NC.

“When I went into labor that night 29 years ago, Maureen Darcey was on-call; she was my midwife and became my friend,” said Nancy. “Fast forward 18 years, I had been working as a nurse in OB/GYN for 10 years, Maureen had been operating WBWC for 10 years, and I needed a job. I became the first clinic nurse at WBWC on a part-time basis in 2006 and finally had my dream job!”

Nancy is also a grandmother, with all its cares and joys. Two of her daughters struggled significantly with mood disorders during pregnancy and postpartum. Supporting them and other mothers who found the childbearing years more challenging than expected, led her back to her counseling roots. After completing the training provided by Postpartum Support International in 2014, she began to facilitate Coping with Motherhood, a mother-to-mother support group for women with perinatal mood disorders. Since the first meeting in May 2015, over 75 women from WBWC and the surrounding community have been served. Nancy is honored that these moms share their pain, their joy, and their healing with her and each other.

Nancy wears many hats at WBWC as both an International Board Certified Lactation consultant and RN, but most recently you may have heard her calming voice on the phone when you’ve called in with a question for our nursing staff or met her during your orientation and tour. Nancy began giving tours in 2007 and has been one of the most common faces on the tour ever since. Her passion and love for WBWC and its mission shines through in her tours.

“I love sharing the story of WBWC,” said Nancy. “I want prospective families to know that WBWC is the best place to give birth in NC!! I give myself goose bumps sometimes.”

Two of Nancy’s daughters also selected WBWC to provide their care during pregnancy.

“I believe my daughters would have chosen the birth center even if I hadn’t been working here,” said Nancy. “They also asked me to be present at their births. None of my experiences prepared me for the joy and fear and pride I felt seeing my grandson Zachary and my granddaughter Melody coming into the world!”

Additionally, Nancy’s daughter Jessica is one of the midwives at WBWC. Jessica was influenced by her mother’s work as a women’s health nurse.

“When I became a nurse I chose a medical floor as a new graduate and after two years moved to a labor & delivery floor,” said Jessica Albrecht, certified nurse midwife at WBWC. “Because of the understanding I had that pregnancy and birth are normal parts of families’ lives I was able to incorporate the medical interventions that are sometimes needed as well as support families’ through the birth and postpartum process.”

We’ve all benefitted from Nancy’s leadership and guidance, but Jessica has especially cherished having this time with her mother also being her coworker.

“I am a lucky daughter and midwife to have my mother as both a clinical and emotional resource! I have learned so much from her and am so grateful to have had this time,” said Jessica. “I know for some people working with their mother would be difficult but for me it has been a wonderful experience. I hope I continue to develop my skills to achieve the balance and grace she demonstrates on a daily basis.”

Nancy shares the appreciation for their shared time together at WBWC.

“Working with Jessica as one of the midwives means we get to share an important part of our lives,” said Nancy. “All of the midwives are my family/my daughters, but of course, I am very proud of Jess!”

As Nancy takes a step back from work to enjoy her retirement, she will continue to facilitate the Coping with Motherhood group as well as Community Prenatal Care at WBWC. She has also joined the Education Committee of PSI-NC, the state chapter of Postpartum Support International, and plans to increase her time working with them. She also hopes to spend more time with her grandchildren and family, travel a little, start doing Tai Chi, and read lots of books.

Daily life at WBWC will not be the same without Nancy there everyday, but her influence will still be felt in the programs she pioneered and nurses she’s mentored. In many ways Nancy has been a lynchpin at WBWC – answering questions, filling in the gaps when needed and keeping us moving forward. We are so glad to have her continue her work with us and wish her the best as she enjoys her (busy!) retirement.