My experiences have taught me to listen carefully, use simple practical techniques, to monitor appropriately, and to honor the mystery and complexity of birth. I think that my greatest strength is the deep connections I make with clients. I have a straightforward, direct manor.

I became a midwife in a fairly traditional way. I learned most of what I know of birth from attending families during pregnancy, labor, birth, and early parenting.  At first I was a doula, then childbirth educator, postpartum doula, and ultimately as a midwife. I took every training opportunity that came along. After spending over 20 years working with bay area families as a doula I went back to school, studied Midwifery, and became a Licensed Midwife.

I am a mother of two grown children, and received midwifery care with both babies, one was born in the hospital by cesarean birth, and the other was born at home. Both taught me about strength and flexibility. In 1983 when I was pregnant with my oldest child Brian, I became a volunteer at Birthways and in doing so joined the birthing community in the East Bay.

Claudette Coughenour

I, Claudette Coughenour, have been providing professional birthing services since 1989. I received my initial training and apprenticeship from 1985-1989, at the Gentle Birth Center in Burbank, CA (which is now the Natural Birth and Women‚s Center). During this time I became IV and Phlebotomy certified through Holman Laboratories (CA accredited). I also became a certified Childbirth Educator, Lactation Counselor, Doula, and Certified Midwife through the AIMS program (ACHI Institute for Midwifery Studies.) From 1989-1995, I attended deliveries as a ACHI certified midwife and trained three apprentice midwives. In 1996 our family moved to Ohio, where I attended deliveries in Amish country, often working with Freida Miller, and other Mennonite midwives until 1998.  I became a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) in 1997.

I believe parents (women) should be involved in their own health care and make informed choices concerning treatments, therapies, and interventions that could assist them and their newborns. I am committed to assisting women give birth as naturally as possible with least amount of interference or intervention.