We both fell in love with
midwifery when we were invited to attend our first births in 1979.
After obtaining our undergraduate degrees, including pre-med
courses, we went on to four years at the National College of
Naturopathic Medicine (NCNM).
We focused our studies there in midwifery, women's health care and
pediatrics. After graduation in 1983 and 1986 we began practicing as
Naturopathic (ND) Midwives in Oregon and Licensed Midwives in
Washington. We have also both spent many years as professors in the
midwifery department at NCNM. In 1989 we began attending births
together, beginning a journey of mutual trust and friendship. After
twenty-two years attending births in homes and birth centers we both
returned to school once again to broaden our scope of midwifery. We
were honored to be selected into the graduate entry midwifery
program at Oregon Health and Sciences University. While continuing
our home birth practices we revisited our roles as midwifery
students. Nora and Catherine received their masters in midwifery and
CNM licensure in 2004 and 2005 respectively.
Adding the CNM training has provided us with a deeper understanding
of what is possible for the future of midwifery. While our hospital
experiences taught us much, we have never swayed in our opinion that
natural birth provides the greatest possibility for optimal birth
experiences. What we also understand is that birth can present
unexpected surprises when intervention is needed and appropriate.
Our experience and training allows us to be prepared for those
situations. At the same time, our perspective is always balanced by
our trust in the birth process and understanding that whatever is
needed can be greeted with respect and awe.
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Catherine and her
husband, Karl, live on a farm where they have raised their four
children ages 26, 23, 18 and 13, all born at home. It is with their
love and support that she is able to practice the art of midwifery.
Catherine greets a new arrival.
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Nora lives with
her son, Aric, age 22, and her two cats, Char and Tai. When she is
not off delivering babies she can be found in her garden.
Nora assists first nursing |
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What is a CNM?
CNMs, or certified nurse
midwives, are primary care providers who are licensed to attend birth
in a variety of settings including hospital, birth center and home
in all 50 states. They have received a bachelor's and a master's
degree in nursing with a specialty in midwifery at an accredited
college or university. They have also met the standards set by
requirements of the American College of Nurse-Midwives. They have
the widest scope of practice of all midwives and international
recognition as leaders in midwifery. What is an ND midwife?
ND midwives are Naturopathic
doctors who have specialty certification in natural childbirth. In
Oregon and Washington NDs are licensed as primary care physicians
who address the underlying cause of disease through effective,
individualized natural remedies that integrate the healing powers of
body, mind and spirit.
They provide care for the whole family, using alternative modalities
such as herbal medicine, homeopathy, nutritional supplements,
physical medicine and hydrotherapy. They have a bachelor's degree
and then have graduated from a four year Naturopathic medical school
with additional studies and apprenticeship in midwifery. |
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"I was trained as a general surgeon and
flight surgeon and practiced family medicine
for 20 years. I did several c-sections and
many deliveries. I was very impressed with
your care and delivery of my grandson
because it was much more than I gave. My
daughter was in her home setting; she
delivered in the water in a sitting
position, your repair of a small tear was
excellent, your examination of the baby was
so thorough, and you made several visits
following the delivery to check on the
health of baby and mother. I recommend your
care and judgment unequivocally."
A.G. Denker MD,
a grandfather
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