Mother Nature

“No man is going to tell me where to have my baby.”
Danetta Condon has been practicing midwifery for 16 years in Pocahontas County, W.Va. Condon’s family lives 100 percent off the grid with solar power and stream water, while maintaining their own organic farm.
“We feel birth is best naturally.”
Danetta and her husband Mike were a part of a movement in the early 70’s called back to the land, which introduced the couple to the lifestyle they both lead today. Mike cares for their organic beef and vegetable garden, while Danetta works as a Sexual and Domestic Assault Advocate and a midwife.
Danetta is one of eight midwives in West Virginia where she has served as the primary for 88 births.
“I am not licensed so I can be arrested at any moment.”
However, Danetta doesn’t hide her midwifery. “I feel that all women should know all of the options that are out there when it comes to their pregnancy.”
“Put me in jail, because I’ll be organizing from the inside.”
Danetta sees herself retiring from midwifery in the next five years. Because she and Mike already live on a low income, retiring would increase their financial hardships, but that isn’t among their primary concerns.
“I took a vow of poverty.” Danetta says. “Taking care of people is the one thing that is important to my family.”