Meet the Midwife

A midwife is a traditional birth attendant that literally means “with woman”. Midwives are recognized throughout the world as the most appropriate care providers for most women during the childbearing years, and for continued annual wellness care. An estimated 80% of the world’s babies are caught into the hands of midwives. With a midwife you can experience high quality, personalized care, pride and self-empowerment through the knowledge offered about your own health.

As a trained professional, midwives can offer expert care, education, counseling, and support to a woman and her family. Midwives are experts in the “normal” occurrences of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Midwives have a superb record of safety and numerous studies have directly associated midwifery with excellent outcomes. The five nations with the world’s lowest infant mortality rates, and lowest rates of technological intervention have midwives attending 70% of all births without a physician in the birth room.

Jennifer Kelleher, CPM, LM

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 to 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.

My Experience

I am a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM), certified nationally by the North American Registry of Midwives.

I am a Licensed Midwife (LM) with the Texas Department of State and Health Services Professional Licensing Division.

I comply with these regulating bodies by keeping our Health Care Provider CPR and Neonatal Resuscitation Certifications current. I also participate in community peer reviews, and regularly attend workshops and professional conferences offering continuing education credits.  

Attending in the capacity of mother, doula student and midwife I have been an intricate part of birth for over 15 years. I have been present with over 300 families through their unique birth experiences.     

My Belief about Birth

I view pregnancy and birth as a normal, natural process that occurs best if unhindered by interventions. I simply provide support and information, sharing my experience and guiding you through any choices pertaining to your pregnancy and birth, all the while you maintain control. I believe in The Midwives Model of Care and have adopted, as a minimum standard of care, the core competencies set forth by the Midwives Alliance of North America (MANA). As a midwife I rely heavily on excellent prenatal care, (spending about forty five minutes with you at each prenatal and postpartum visit), assessing your physical and emotional needs, providing diet counseling, educating and passing on my knowledge, all while listening to you with my heart as well as my ears. In most cases, pregnancy discomforts and minor complications can be resolved using natural remedies. If a situation arises that needs to be addressed I work with you as a team to come up with the best plan of care for you and your baby, honoring your wishes and desires.