Grace's Midwifery Story

When Grace was pregnant with her second baby in 2010, her midwife said to her, "You should be a midwife". She shrugged it off, thinking the title much too lofty for her, but the encouragement stuck with her. After moving to Oregon that same year, she soon fell into the local birth community, working closely with the midwives at Trillium Waterbirth Center in Medford. She became certified as a doula through Childbirth International and was given the privilege of coordinating the doula program at the birth center. She also managed events and attended "green" midwifery classes, getting her start in clinical skills and learning the basics of how to become a midwife. She worked privately and in the local hospital as a doula, adding to her experience and deepening her love for birth. But she took a break to have another baby, and became certified as a postpartum doula during that break. When that baby was big enough, she jumped in feet first and began her training as a midwife. 

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In 2016, Grace joined Rogue Birth Center in Grants Pass, Oregon as a student. She obtained most of her training and education there and was blessed to work with a variety of midwives and students, who each had their own style and enabled Grace to learn from a variety of perspectives. While working there, Grace became certified as a lactation counselor and taught breastfeeding classes at the birth center. In late 2018, she experienced some health challenges, but was determined to complete her training. So in 2019, Grace changed her training to a quiet home birth practice, working with Elaine Taylor, a midwife with 40+ years of experience. It was under Elaine's tutelage over the next two years that Grace completed her training and gained the confidence necessary to become a midwife. 

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After completing requirements for the North American Registry of Midwives in 2021, Grace and her family moved to the Black Hills of South Dakota, where she completed additional Midwifery Education Accreditation Council courses and became a licensed midwife in the state of South Dakota. It has been an adventure, but Grace appreciates each and every experience she had, and each midwife and student who helped to shape her into the midwife she is today.

Grace upholds informed consent and education, and she is a HAES (Health At Every Size) provider.

Grace offers equitable care to families of every variety.