All my life, I have cherished the opportunity to work with children. I chose Nursing as my starting undergraduate major when I enrolled in university as a stepping stone to working in a neonatal unit or pediatric care. I quickly found the hospital setting to be somewhat rigid and stifling, so I made the switch to Child Development, and spent my college days conducting research with the California State Polytechnic University Childhood Development Center. Here, I spoke with mothers about their unique motherhood journeys, and became fascinated with the topic of childbirth. The range of personal childbirth experiences was enormous, and I gradually gained understanding of monumental undertaking that the ordeal was. I wondered if other people felt as I did – that a hospital setting is not always the best option for giving birth (though of course necessary and important for many difficult situations). Some mothers told me they had partnered with a midwife, and gave birth at home, in comfort and peace, and introduced me to the world of midwifery. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Child Development, I began my apprenticeship with a local midwife. 

 

At the very first birth I observed, something magical was in the air. My preceptor guided the woman through the natural progression, intervening when needed, but let the mother bring her child into the world on her own terms. In the hospital, birth seemed to be a mechanical process, in which the mother did what was instructed of her by the physician, similar to being managed at work. In contrast, this home birth seemed to be an intimate home concert, with the midwife playing the role of conductor, coaxing the symphony of life out from the mother’s natural talents.  During the act of childbirth, I saw that women are simultaneously at their most vulnerable and most powerful - I knew I wanted to be a part of this life changing moment for the rest of my life.

 

After working with several midwives over the course of three years, I have seen over 100 new humans enter the world through the loving labors of their mothers, and reached the next stage of my journey by becoming a Certified Professional Midwife. I hope to give new parents a healthy and beautiful start on their journey, starting with comprehensive prenatal care including herbal medicines, childbirth education, and much more. I am committed to the health of you and your child, which is something I cherish and celebrate when I see parents embrace their child in their arms for the very first time.