Our Philosophy
We believe that maintaining a healthy lifestyle, coming in for prenatal appointments at regular intervals, and receiving good support play big roles in growing a healthy baby and preparing for an uncomplicated birth. This is why we attach such great importance to the client-midwife relationship. We like to call it a partnership in care. This means that we expect our clients to take responsibility for their day-to-day health and the decision to plan a home birth, while the midwife shall be available to them for ongoing guidance, accountability, careful monitoring and any referrals where necessary. In our observation the great majority of healthy mothers will have a normal pregnancy and satisfying birth experience.
We believe that acknowledging a mother's rite of passage through the birth process makes her a stronger person for life. As caregivers we respect her autonomy and privacy, whilst providing gentle guidance when and where appropriate. Normal birth is best facilitated by limiting interruptions and interventions, while still carrying out appropriate intermittent monitoring to document that mother and baby are well. The birthing woman's right to choose where and with whom she wants to work through her birth process is fiercely protected. She may turn to us for support and helpful suggestions during labor, but she is always encouraged to find their own way. Immediately following the birth we take great care not to rush or disturb the early bonding needs between mother and child. We do encourage keeping the family unit intact as a new baby arrives, which means that siblings are often present as well.
We offer our services so that home birth with a trained attendant remains a safe and viable option for families who choose it, and it gives me joy to do my part in carrying on the valuable tradition of midwifery. The love for this work and the families we serve continually fuels our passion!
We believe that acknowledging a mother's rite of passage through the birth process makes her a stronger person for life. As caregivers we respect her autonomy and privacy, whilst providing gentle guidance when and where appropriate. Normal birth is best facilitated by limiting interruptions and interventions, while still carrying out appropriate intermittent monitoring to document that mother and baby are well. The birthing woman's right to choose where and with whom she wants to work through her birth process is fiercely protected. She may turn to us for support and helpful suggestions during labor, but she is always encouraged to find their own way. Immediately following the birth we take great care not to rush or disturb the early bonding needs between mother and child. We do encourage keeping the family unit intact as a new baby arrives, which means that siblings are often present as well.
We offer our services so that home birth with a trained attendant remains a safe and viable option for families who choose it, and it gives me joy to do my part in carrying on the valuable tradition of midwifery. The love for this work and the families we serve continually fuels our passion!
About us
Alexandra Wagner, LM, CPM
Born and raised in the Netherlands, I married and made
my home in the USA in 1986. We raised four wonderful humans, two of whom were born in a hospital, and two in the comfort of our own home. They're all grown now and making their own way in this world. In 2013 our first grandchild was safely born at home.
It was not until I was having my own babies in the late
80's and early 90's that I started to take a closer look at childbirth practices. My first birth took place in a small hospital with an obstetrician.
Since I come from a country where hospital deliveries weren't the norm perse, I was quite curious what goes on in those places and, even though I did not plan on using medication, what they might have to offer a laboring woman. As it turned out, after what seemed like an eternity of slow and painful labor, I agreed to let them speed things up a bit. Soon, I found myself floundering in agony, unable to cope with contractions, out of sync with my body. I panicked ! Thethered to machines around my bed with the rails up, monitors and an IV beeping, fluorescent lights buzzing overhead and a sore throat from my lamenting and the frantic breathing that I was presumably doing "all wrong", I eventually accepted a little something in my IV to take the edge off. It shut me up, but the pain was still there. This was not how I had envisioned having my baby!
To this day I remember my deep disappointment in myself and the whole affair as I sunk into a drug-induced stupor, feeling utterly defeated. The well-meaning staff's earlier promise "we'll take good care of you!" had had such a reassuring ring to it, but now rang hollow. I even felt pity as I realized how little they truly had to offer, and I wondered if they felt powerless too? When the fog lifted I was told I needed a cesarean because my baby was struggling. For some reason I decided that it was up to me: either get active and give birth, or be rolled into the OR.. I narrowly escaped that cesarean. Thankfully, there was a better way out and all was well.
I had been terribly naive. Two years later, after a swift and painless labor, our son Owen arrived - in our own bed. It restored me, and deeply affirmed my beliefs and trust in birth.
Still intrigued, I trained as a professional doula and in 1999 began supporting laboring women in a busy teaching hospital. It felt right to offer these women what I had found lacking during my own first birth. But after attending nearly two hundred hospital- and a handful of home-births it became clear to me that the home environment is where my heart is. I moved on to become a SC Licensed Midwife and have been in independent practice since 2004. I earned my CPM in 2009 and am a NARM-registered clinical preceptor for direct-entry student midwives.
In my free time I love going for long walks, landscape, garden, make art and listen to music, and above all: spending time with my family and friends.
Shayleen Sammons, CD, LMA
I am a student at Midwives College of Utah pursuing my Bachelors of Science in Midwifery, and studying to become a Certified Professional Midwife. I live in Columbia, South Carolina where I serve the families in my community as a DONA certified birth doula, and student midwife attending home and hospital births.
I believe in the Midwifery Model of Care and strive to provide individualized care emphasizing shared decision making, informed consent, and respect for individual birth choices. In my experience as a doula and student midwife, I have found that when a birthing person feels safe, supported, and secure in their birth space, they feel empowered to listen to their bodies and allow the birth process to naturally unfold.
I am married to my best friend and we have three beautiful children ranging in ages from 16 to 4. We love spending time together playing games, watching movies, participating in outside activities, and family service projects. I am blessed to have my family's full support as I pursue my midwifery career.
Born and raised in the Netherlands, I married and made
my home in the USA in 1986. We raised four wonderful humans, two of whom were born in a hospital, and two in the comfort of our own home. They're all grown now and making their own way in this world. In 2013 our first grandchild was safely born at home.
It was not until I was having my own babies in the late
80's and early 90's that I started to take a closer look at childbirth practices. My first birth took place in a small hospital with an obstetrician.
Since I come from a country where hospital deliveries weren't the norm perse, I was quite curious what goes on in those places and, even though I did not plan on using medication, what they might have to offer a laboring woman. As it turned out, after what seemed like an eternity of slow and painful labor, I agreed to let them speed things up a bit. Soon, I found myself floundering in agony, unable to cope with contractions, out of sync with my body. I panicked ! Thethered to machines around my bed with the rails up, monitors and an IV beeping, fluorescent lights buzzing overhead and a sore throat from my lamenting and the frantic breathing that I was presumably doing "all wrong", I eventually accepted a little something in my IV to take the edge off. It shut me up, but the pain was still there. This was not how I had envisioned having my baby!
To this day I remember my deep disappointment in myself and the whole affair as I sunk into a drug-induced stupor, feeling utterly defeated. The well-meaning staff's earlier promise "we'll take good care of you!" had had such a reassuring ring to it, but now rang hollow. I even felt pity as I realized how little they truly had to offer, and I wondered if they felt powerless too? When the fog lifted I was told I needed a cesarean because my baby was struggling. For some reason I decided that it was up to me: either get active and give birth, or be rolled into the OR.. I narrowly escaped that cesarean. Thankfully, there was a better way out and all was well.
I had been terribly naive. Two years later, after a swift and painless labor, our son Owen arrived - in our own bed. It restored me, and deeply affirmed my beliefs and trust in birth.
Still intrigued, I trained as a professional doula and in 1999 began supporting laboring women in a busy teaching hospital. It felt right to offer these women what I had found lacking during my own first birth. But after attending nearly two hundred hospital- and a handful of home-births it became clear to me that the home environment is where my heart is. I moved on to become a SC Licensed Midwife and have been in independent practice since 2004. I earned my CPM in 2009 and am a NARM-registered clinical preceptor for direct-entry student midwives.
In my free time I love going for long walks, landscape, garden, make art and listen to music, and above all: spending time with my family and friends.
Shayleen Sammons, CD, LMA
I am a student at Midwives College of Utah pursuing my Bachelors of Science in Midwifery, and studying to become a Certified Professional Midwife. I live in Columbia, South Carolina where I serve the families in my community as a DONA certified birth doula, and student midwife attending home and hospital births.
I believe in the Midwifery Model of Care and strive to provide individualized care emphasizing shared decision making, informed consent, and respect for individual birth choices. In my experience as a doula and student midwife, I have found that when a birthing person feels safe, supported, and secure in their birth space, they feel empowered to listen to their bodies and allow the birth process to naturally unfold.
I am married to my best friend and we have three beautiful children ranging in ages from 16 to 4. We love spending time together playing games, watching movies, participating in outside activities, and family service projects. I am blessed to have my family's full support as I pursue my midwifery career.
