My journey to midwifery began when I started attending births as a doula in 1992. I began my formalized midwifery studies at the Midwifery College of Utah in 1998. As part of my education, I worked with Sharyne Fraser RM and Barb Bodiguel RM for about 18 months in both central Alberta and Calgary. In 2000 I traveled to a high volume birth centre in El Paso, Texas where I attended about 35 births in 4 weeks. After my incredible experiences at the El Paso birth centre, I felt called to travel to another Spanish-speaking country, Guatemala. I worked there with a Certified Nurse Midwife from New York for 4 months. That clinic provided complete midwifery care, including well-woman care and training for traditional midwives. It was an amazing experience for me. I graduated from the Midwives College of Utah in 2001 with an Associate Degree in Midwifery. From graduation until the later part of 2004, I was busy with my family and working with Barb Bodiguel in central Alberta.
In 2004 I joined a non-governmental agency (NGO) that works in Guatemala and traveled there again in November as part of a medical team for a 10-day health clinic. Working in Guatemala is a most humbling experience and always reminds me how much I have to be grateful for.
I am the mother of four fantastic daughters and 2 stepsons. Their births were instrumental in my own growth and understanding of the power and gifts that birth, breastfeeding and parenting can be.
I am thrilled to be a founding member of the Calgary Midwives Cooperative and being involved with the wonderful families that seek our support during this sacred and amazing time. Blessed Be.
Thank you,
Nadine Mitchell