EVANSTON — Ashley and Joe Hoffmann of Evanston welcomed their second child into the world on Thursday, Jan. 2, at 4:13 a.m. Baby girl Abigail was delivered at home by local midwife Hope Henderson.

“I was so excited to have my baby born in the new year,” Ashley Hoffmann said. “My due date was Dec. 23, and I was hoping she would wait until after the holidays — and she did.”

Hoffmann said she chose to use a midwife for delivery because she had a midwife for her first child, 2-year-old Elise. For that birth the midwife delivered in a hospital. Since Evanston Regional Hospital closed its labor and delivery department, Hoffmann said she knew she wouldn’t want to risk driving in the winter weather to Utah for her delivery. She likes using a midwife and chose to have a home birth this time.

Hoffmann said they had researched online for midwives in the area and saw Henderson had received high marks. Henderson was also referred to Hoffmann by a friend who had used her services.

As it happened, Hoffmann wouldn’t have made it to a hospital in Utah. She delivered after only four hours of labor. She used the water pool that Henderson provided and had a quick and easy delivery, she said.

Henderson said, “This is the kind of birth I like; normal and easy. The baby girl was so cute. As soon as she birthed, she was so alert and was looking all around at her dad and everywhere.”

Abigail weighed in at 8 pounds 7 ounces and measured 20.75 inches long. Henderson will provide the standard six weeks of follow-up home visits to make sure both mother and baby are doing well.

The Hoffmanns have lived in Evanston for only four months, having moved here in September. They chose Evanston, as they wanted to live in Wyoming but be close to Utah. Joe is a mechanical engineer. Ashley works as a fitness instructor at the Evanston Recreation Center, though she will be on leave for a short time.

“I would recommend home delivery with a midwife to anyone who experiences no complications and no risk,” Hoffmann said.