Molly and Brogan’s Story: Welcoming Ida

Molly and Brogan Ballard chose the Shane G. Lalani Family Birth Center to welcome their daughter, Ida, because of the trusted relationships they had built with local providers and the strong recommendations of friends. Molly shared that while she had seen a specialist in Bozeman, she “didn’t necessarily feel the warmth and support and compassion like I felt with providers that I met with here.” Brogan added that their prenatal care, birthing class, and tour made them confident, saying, “We’ve just always had really good care here.” Both emphasized how connected they felt to the community, noting how reassuring it was to be cared for by familiar faces.

Their experience during labor and delivery exceeded expectations. The couple described the birth center as calm, supportive, and unusually comfortable. Brogan recalled being struck by “the fact that there is a queen size bed… it felt like a little hotel room more than a hospital.” Molly added, “We literally didn’t want to leave.” They praised Dr. Hatch for her presence, with Brogan noting, “She was there for like two and a half hours straight, which is uncommon… it felt like we were the only people there.” Small details—like customizing meals for Molly’s dietary needs—showed the staff’s attentiveness. Molly reflected, “It felt very intimate, like we were on our own personal lodge.”

The Ballards say their trust in Livingston HealthCare has only deepened since Ida’s birth. Molly described the experience as “peaceful, surreal, and magical,” while Brogan emphasized how

“safe, comfortable, [and] really welcoming” it felt. They appreciated that staff respected their choice to have a doula, that communication was seamless, and that ongoing follow-up care has been consistently personal. “Even now we see people out in the community and they ask how she’s doing and they remember us,” Molly said. To other families considering their options, she offered heartfelt advice: “You couldn’t choose a better place to deliver your baby.”