Laurine Kingston was late for a recent weekend speaking date with the Utah Midwives Association, but she had the best of reasons.
Kingston spent the morning assisting with a birth. A woman had called, saying her daughter's baby was coming out feet first. The impoverished mother was adamant about not going to the hospital.In 15 minutes, Kingston was at the woman's apartment, comforting the mother and convincing the mother-to-be that her baby's life was in danger. Kingston persuaded her to go to the University of Utah Health Sciences Center, and two hours later a healthy baby girl was born.
"I had never met the woman and the call was quite a surprise," Kingston said.
It was only her first of the day: When Kingston finally arrived at the association's spring meeting, she was given the 1996 Sage Femme award - French for "wise woman" - for service to her clients, students and the community.
The 65-year-old Bennion midwife has helped deliver more than 1,200 babies.
Kingston began her career 43 years ago quite by accident, she said. Her cousin was having a baby and the naturopath was late. Having witnessed the births of her brothers and sisters, the then 19-year-old stepped in to help.
"My family thought it was wonderful," she said, "and it was free."
Kingston recalls using self-teaching materials from England and alternative medicine courses for her early education. Later, a couple of nurses and doctors took her on as an apprentice.
Midwifery is more accepted today, though Kingston notes that Utah still does not license lay midwives.