Before I started my journey into midwifery, I thought carefully about what kind of midwife I wanted to be. In our state, there are Certified Nurse Midwives, Certified Professional Midwives, and traditional midwives. Ultimately, I decided that the professional certification (CPM) was the right choice for me. I wasn’t interested in working in a hospital, and although I saw value in the nurse pathway, I loved the history and community based model of the CPM. I wanted autonomy for my clients and I realized that the way to give autonomy to someone else is to have it yourself. 

My training includes coursework through the National College of Midwifery, staying current on my NRP and BLS certifications, and ongoing commitment to maintaining clinical skills and continued education. I trained with many different midwives (including CNMs and CPMs) and even spent some time at a birth center in Washington state. I value learning from different types of midwives and practice styles, and believe I can grow and learn from anyone! I completed the full apprenticeship model and portfolio evaluation process with the National Association of Registered Midwives (NARM). I also completed my licensure in the state of KY through the Kentucky Board of Nursing. Below are some examples of my courses and certifications: 

NRP&BLS

Breech Without Borders

Resolving Breech

Resolving Shoulder Dystocia 

Alison Hazelbaker’s Tongue Tie Assessment

Faux Ties - When is a Tongue-Tie not a Tongue-Tie?

Suturing Courses through GYNzone 

Advanced Maternal Bloodwork Analysis - A Functional Medicine Approach

Prevention and Management of Gestational Diabetes 

Spinning Babies Shoulder Dystocia w/ Gail Tully 

Skills days including hemorrhage, IVs, breech, suturing, shoulder dystocia, & common birth emergencies, among others

I also regularly participate in protected Peer Review, where midwives gather to present, discuss, and receive feedback on difficult cases, including transfers, risk-outs, and management of birth emergencies. I am a member of the NACPM KY chapter (National Association of Certified Professional Midwives), as well as a member of NARM (North American Registry of Midwives). Additionally, I serve on the board of Hope’s Embrace, a nonprofit community doula initiative that provides maternal healthcare mentoring and services throughout Kentucky. 

I deeply value my community, and spend a lot of time networking and developing relationships with other birth professionals, including midwives, chiropractors, doulas, lactation consultants, infant bodyworkers, childbirth educators, and more. I believe that building a strong community web starts with me, and I’m committed to creating a safe, equitable, inclusive network for both families and people serving families in our city.