Frequently Asked Questions

As Certified Professional Midwives (CPM) and Licensed Midwives (LM), we offer prenatal care, labor and delivery support, postpartum care for both the mother and baby, breastfeeding support, and well-woman care beyond the childbearing years.  We believe in the beauty and holiness of birth, and will support you and your family with love, professionalism backed by many years of experience as a midwives.  Our team of highly trained and wonderful advanced midwifery students will assist us.

Mishell is a California Licensed Midwife (LM) and Certified Professional Midwife (CPM), in practice for over 35 years.  A Registered Nurse (RN) since 1990 with a wide background in various types of nursing, including Labor & Delivery, Geriatrics, HomeHealth, Hospice, and a Children's Camp Nurse for many years.  She has been a Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) for 10 years. She is also a registered NARM (North American Registry of Midwives) preceptor for midwifery students through NMI (National Midwifery Institute) and NCM (National College of Midwifery) and MIA (Mercy In Action).  She works in conjunction with a team of midwives and well trained, advanced midwifery students and apprentices, as well as Doulas.  A team of three is optimal for the safety of mom and baby.  We are mindful of your space and privacy, respectful and quiet, guiding you as much or as little as you desire.  

We have prenatal care and postpartum follow up care out of our office in Atascadero, with an alternative site in San Luis Obispo for ease of travel for SLO and South County clientele.

We believe that childbirth is a normal, naturally physiologic process and that women have the right to make informed decisions about their care. We strive to provide personalized, evidence-based care that empowers women and their families.  We believe every baby is a gift from God and that they have the inherent right to be treated with love and respect.  

Understanding and doing these things will optimize a mother's birth experience: 

• Moms innately know howy to give birth
• They are able to get out of their thinking brains and into their bodies and let their body birth as it is innately designed to do 
• They can prepare themselves with whole foods, daily exercise, deep breathing and relaxation
• They can do incredibly hard things with physical, emotional and spiritual support
• They can gather knowledge from reading books and evidence based resources
• They can seek the counseling needed to process trauma prior to birth
• They can take childbirth and breastfeeding classes to lay a solid foundation 
• They can work with bodyworkers (chiropractic, acupuncture, pelvic floor therapy, etc) during pregnancy to prepare for birth.  (We have great referrals)

These are the things that will contribute to a healthy and optimal birth experience.   What a woman puts into her pregnancy will highly contribute to what she gets out of it.  Birth is not all sunshine and roses: it is hard work, that is why it is called labor. We were made to do this.  With respect, love and physical and emotional support, you will  be empowered to have the birth that you desire.