LICENSED MIDWIFE

CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL MIDWIFE

Jennifer Kelleher LM, CPM

My first experience with a midwife was during the birth of my first child.

Being first time parents and cautious in regard to our expectations about birth, we chose an obstetrician.  After attending our prenatal visits, hospital childbirth classes and absorbing as much knowledge about childbirth as I could, I developed clear ideas of how we wanted our birth to unfold.  The day had finally arrived, and after many hours of laboring at home my doula felt like it was time to go to the hospital to finish the birthing process.  I knew things were going well; my body and my baby were working together just as they were designed to.

Upon arrival at our chosen hospital, I was immediately shuffled into their routines and protocols.  What I wanted had become obsolete, and within an hour I was informed that I was laboring too long without enough progress and that a c-section would be necessary.  As the nurse walked out of the room, I asked for my clothes and left the hospital.  My birth team called local midwives and we had a homebirth on Christmas morning with the assistance of midwife Pat Jones. 

A few years and a few more children later (all born at home with midwives), I was asked by a friend if I would be a doula for her VBAC at home. Honored, I accepted and began to study; up to this point my experiences were limited to the births of my own children.  Captivated and inspired my doula practice began.  At each birth I attended at home and in hospital settings, my heart longed to be a provider that could assist a complete birthing process for mom and baby while continuing to honor the parent's wishes.

In the year 2000 with lots of support, encouragement, and details literally falling into place, I began three demanding years of midwifery education and training.  As a midwife, I am dedicated to providing an education of the physiological process of pregnancy, birth and care of your newborn, in addition to being a guardian of your desired experience, complimented with my knowledge and skill.