Compassionate care. Evidence-based practice. The wisdom of natural birth.

I first became interested in midwifery during the mid-90s because of the positive experiences of a family friend. I was fascinated and started researching midwives. I came to believe that midwifery is the best way to provide care to pregnant women. About a year later I entered the Bachelor of Nursing program at the University of Alberta and graduated in 1998. I worked as an obstetrical nurse for nine years in Alberta and Arizona. While in Arizona, I witnessed midwives in a hospital environment for the first time. Their approach was woman-centred, non-interventive, gentle and safe. I completed my Master’s degree in Nurse-Midwifery in 2005. Since then I have been blessed to have had two children of my own, and have been practicing midwifery in Calgary in 2008. 

 My midwifery journey began in 1996 when I had the pleasure of attending my first birth of a beautiful little girl. It was a life altering experience! I received my Midwifery Degree from Ryerson University in 2003 and had had the privilege of helping bring new life into the world in both Ontario and Calgary. I returned to Calgary in 2007 to be closer to my family and have the opportunity to watch my niece Aliya grow up. Midwifery makes my heart sing – it is an honour to help women and their families bring new life into the world. I am fortunate to work with a fantastic partner, and I look forward to meeting you on your journey. 

 I knew from an early age that I wanted to help women bring their babies into the world, but I did not move directly into midwifery. I first graduated with a Bachelor of Nursing in 2003 and worked as a labour and delivery nurse in Calgary. I then embarked on a travelling adventure for a few years. This time away from women and babies created a longing to return to maternity. While I loved being part of one of the most exciting, rewarding and intimate moments that a family can experience, I struggled with the brevity of these connections. I came to understand that serving mothers and their families to the best of my ability required establishing a relationship before their labour. With this realization, I enrolled in a Master of Midwifery program in Melbourne, Australia. Upon completion, in 2009 I returned to my hometown, Calgary, and began practicing midwifery full time. My reward is the joy I experience, the moment a woman truly realizes her strength. 

For as long as I can remember I have been fascinated with pregnancy, birth and the innate power women have. In 2005 I completed my BA in Kinesiology from the U of C and shortly after began working for health charities as an educator. While I enjoyed being able to help people, I knew I still needed to discover my life’s work. I became a certified birth doula in May 2010 and had the honour of supporting many families through their birth experience. My doula experience also confirmed that I wanted to make a more profound commitment to midwifery. In 2011 I was accepted into the midwifery program at Bastyr University in Seattle. I was pleased to be able to complete the practicum portion of my training at home in Calgary and graduated with a Master’s of Science in Midwifery June 2014. I am thrilled to be joining the Honeycomb Midwives and look forward to providing midwifery care to families for many years to come. 

Birth is the force that has had the most influence in shaping my life, how I see myself as a woman and how I choose to interact with the world. I first experienced birth when I became a mother at sixteen. I knew instantly that I had accidentally stepped into something that would play an integral role in my life for the rest of my life. Having given birth to four children and having eight years of breastfeeding experience made me want to help other women achieve their goals. Pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period, though beautiful and natural, can be challenging. I believe that all women deserve a supportive and knowledgeable care provider who will offer information, navigate decision making without judgement and empower them to reach their goals. I worked as a doula for many years, but I knew that in order to do the kind of work that inspires me I would need to pursue a degree in midwifery. I received my degree from Mount Royal University here in Calgary where I was born and raised. Motherhood led me to midwifery and for me it is a calling. I love babies but… I am a midwife for the women.

My journey towards Midwifery started as a young mother of three. Following the birth of my twin girls, I returned to school and completed my Bachelor of Nursing. In 2007, I began my obstetrical nursing career, which was exciting and full of so many blessings. Not only did it lead me to midwifery, but it also provided me with the opportunity to serve marginalized and vulnerable women from a variety of cultural backgrounds. I am very passionate about continuing to serve this group of women through my role as a Midwife. In 2011, I began the UBC Bachelor of Midwifery Program in Vancouver. My educational experience has prepared me to work across all settings in Midwifery. The highlight of my learning was a global citizen placement in Uganda, Africa. It was a profound experience that really strengthened my confidence and emergency skill sets. As a proud member of the Honeycomb Midwifery team, I am excited to celebrate families in their many shapes and forms and look forward to finding out what is important to you.