“Jessica has a wealth of knowledge and a depth of experience that let me easily put my full trust in her being my midwife.”
— Jacqueline B.
Catching babies since 1997.
The journey there, in Jess’ words.
I grew up in Illinois, found myself pregnant shortly after my 15th birthday, and soon after, married. I gave birth for the first time at a military hospital while restrained, and it opened my eyes to the misogyny, disrespect, and distrust of birthing people’s bodies.
We then moved to Florida and I had the great benefit of meeting a wonderful midwife just weeks before my second son was due. She gave me a copy of Immaculate Deception: A New Look at Women and Childbirth by Suzanne Arms. I voraciously read her book in a weekend. On Monday morning, I announced to my then-husband that we were going to have a home birth, and though he did not share in my enthusiasm, he knew better than to get in my way. While I prepared, my midwife gave me Heart and Hands: A Midwife’s Guide to Pregnancy and Birth by Elizabeth Davis, and it was in those pages that I first saw my calling to be a midwife.
For me, while I was raising my little children, the journey through midwifery training and apprenticeship was long and enriching. When I began my apprenticeship and studies, the credential of “Certified Professional Midwife” did not yet exist; I believe I was in the second wave of CPMs to be certified in the nation. (The likes of Ina May Gaskin and other prominent midwives were the first wave). I was a home birth midwife in Illinois for a while and later I ran my own birth center in Northwest Wisconsin, I have worked for two busy birth centers in the Twin Cities serving birthing folk in group practice. In 2021, I have had the great pleasure of re-entering practice in home birth. It has been a remarkable journey!
Compassionately, Respectfully, Holistically.
A private practice to serve those who seek ‘slow care.’
One on one relationship with their midwife. Deep breathing. Nourishment. Love. Support. For those who seek to be seen and listened to. For those who seek prenatal visits that answer all your wonderings.
A model of care that respects and empowers birthing families to make informed decisions and to birth where they feel safest.
Home as shelter and the re-discovered place of safety to birth a coming baby. Home birth, where the heart is and where our newborns are received by our waiting arms and loving hearts.
Prenatal, birth, post-partum, and well-woman care offered holistically, respectfully, compassionately.
Sound like the type of care you’d like to receive?
Wondering what it’s like to birth with LifeCircle?
Check out a few of our birth stories.
