Welcome to Missoula's only Freestanding Birth Center

My midwifery career began upon graduation from the University of California, San Francisco General Hospital in 1985. North Central Bronx Hospital in the Bronx, New York, was my first introduction to a long-standing, reputable midwifery service that mainly served the indigent population of the area. My subsequent career experiences include 3 years in Ethiopia, Africa, as a CNM nurse consultant. My main position included training the local nurses to enable them to train the traditional birth attendants (TBA) in their respective languages in a culturally sensitive manner. Following Africa, I relocated to Whitefish, Montana to work at the County Health Department in Kalispell and North Valley Hospital in Whitefish. I also spent 3 years in Browning at the Indian Health Hospital. In 1994, I relocated to Missoula, Montana. After many years in practice assisting births at Community Medical Center, I joined Dr. Lynn Montgomery and participated in the development of the first birth center in Missoula.

Following the closure of Dr. Montgomery's Birth Center in 2009 due to his passing, I opened another Birth Center to follow in the tradition and vision that both Dr. Montgomery and I shared. My expertise includes caring for women throughout pregnancy, birth, and post-partum. I'm an advocate of natural childbirth and also believe that women should have the option to take charge of their pregnancies and births according to their individual desires. My goal is to empower women by offering unbiased information while presenting options. My passion is to support women and their families through their pregnancies and births. I'm also skilled in well-women annual exams, birth control options, and peri and post-menopausal care. I feel honored to be able to provide an alternative birthing option for the women and families of Missoula.

I have a profound respect for women, their families, and their choices regarding birth and believe that informed consent is a fundamental right of all childbearing families. I believe that childbirth can be an empowering and transformative experience and has the opportunity to strengthen families and therefore communities. I am particularly interested in complementary and alternative medicine for women’s health and have been working to expand my knowledge of these areas. 

I have worked with Jeanne Hebl since March of 2012, starting as a second attendant at births. I completed my Master’s degree at Frontier Nursing University in Kentucky, training as a Nurse Midwife under Jeanne, and graduated in 2014. In 2017, I completed an internship as a Registered Midwife in British Columbia, Canada. I also have 10 years of experience as a Nursery Intensive Care Unit registered nurse in Montana, California, and Hawaii. Years ago, I had the wonderful opportunity to work with a midwife in San Marcos, Guatemala in support of indigenous midwives as well as helping out at the Clinica Naturista, as I am also fluent in Spanish. 

I have a son who was born in 2015 and our little family generally spends much of the summer months out in the mountains. Our son has already expressed a love of fishing, though neither of us have much experience, we find ourselves preparing for this newfound hobby. We are passionate about growing organic gardens and consider access to healthy food and clean water to be a basic human right.

I joined the Birth Center staff in 2013 and what I love most about the Birth Center is the continuity of care that is found here, as well as our smaller size and accessibility to the providers. I truly enjoy working with women and their families and hope that you will find your visits here to be a positive experience. I believe in the midwifery model we follow here at the Birth Center as a method for safe, thorough care in a calm and nurturing environment. All women deserve a healthy, educated, and empowered pregnancy (and beyond) and it is my goal to help you achieve that. 

In 1993, I came to Montana as a transfer college student after crossing the country multiple times and deciding that Missoula was the place for me. I originally attended UM for Wildlife Biology and graduated in 1995. Over time, I shifted my attention to raising my two young sons and my experiences with them prompted me to return to school to pursue a second degree in Nursing. I completed my R.N. in 2012 and have since become a Certified Lactation Counselor. In 2021 I completed my Master's degree at Frontier Nursing University to become a Certified Nurse Midwife.  My professional passions include lactation and breastfeeding; obstetrics; nutrition and food security; public health; and women’s issues. 

In my free time, I am usually found outdoors with my husband and two sons enjoying Western Montana. My hobbies include kayaking, paddle-boarding, hiking, biking, and skiing.

If I can help you please feel free to call me at 406.541.7115.  If you are considering the Birth Center for your prenatal care I invite you to come for a “Meet & Greet” so we can give you a tour and answer any questions you may have. There is no obligation or cost in exploring your options and we look forward to the opportunity to meet you.