Full Circle Midwifery

I first came to homebirth and midwifery care as a client. Patrice was our midwife for 2 of our 3 children and after the homebirth of our 3rd child (1987) I became interested in becoming a midwife, someday. This being such a daunting accomplishment and my children being so young, I quickly accepted Patrice’s invitation to train to do some postpartum care for her clients who lived up my way.

Three years and about 25 postpartum visits later, I began an apprenticeship with Patrice (1990) and became a certified midwife (through the Michigan Midwives Association) in 1996. There is also a national certification that the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) offer and in December of 2008 I became a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) through this organization. It took a lot of time, paperwork, studying, travel and money, but it was well worth it!!

I have my own practice in central Michigan, but still enjoy attending some births with Patrice, Barb, Amanda and Dorothy — clients appreciate having the same midwife team that they had with previous births and so most of my births with Full Circle are “repeat clients”.

My husband and I have 3 grown children (Rainbow, Jacob and Echo) and 2 grandchildren: Patience Mae, born at home in August of 2004 and Isaiah Michael, born at home in January of 2007. Both were born into my hands, which was an amazing and rewarding honor!

Laurie and a new Dad diapering and dressing the baby after the newborn exam.