Welcome to the world of Licensed Midwife Mishell Whitacre!

As a midwife, I provide comprehensive prenatal care to ensure the health and wellbeing of both you and your baby. From routine checkups to personalized support, I am here to guide you through your pregnancy journey.  

We see moms once a month until 28 weeks, every 2 weeks until 36 weeks, then weekly until birth.  On average, moms are pregnant about 40 weeks, 280 days, 9 full calendar months or 10 lunar months.  Midwives can deliver babies from 37 weeks up to 42 weeks and will be on call for you 24/7 during this period for labor calls.

Locations: 

Tuesdays: 1230 Marsh Street, San Luis Obispo.

Thursdays: 9700 El Camino Real Suite #202, Atascadero.

For those seeking a more natural, physiologic and intimate birthing experience, I offer home birth services. With over 30 years of experience, I and my team are trained to handle any situation that may arise during delivery, while providing safe, loving, emotional support every step of the way.  We will do a home visit to your house around 36 weeks (1 month before birth) and go over logistics of where you might want a birth tub, or where your birthing supplies are located (list provided) and options of where you might like to birth.  This is a great time for a couple to have whomever is coming to the birth join us for that visit.

The postpartum period can be challenging for new parents. That's why I offer postpartum support to ensure a smooth transition into parenthood.  There are many support groups available and we have a wonderful network of resources for you!  From breastfeeding guidance to emotional support, we will see you one day postpartum at home, (help with breastfeeding, reweigh the baby, check on mom) and also at one, three, and six weeks at the office.  If extra breastfeeding help is needed beyond the first week, you are in good hands with two IBCLC's (International Board Certified Lactation Consultants) with Mish and Lisa.

Water births are a safe and relaxing way to bring your baby into the world. As a certified water birth provider, I can help make this dream a reality for you. With my support, you can experience the benefits of warm water immersion during labor and delivery.  We have comfortable waterbirth tubs available for our client's use.

Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to childbirth. That's why we have compiled a wonderful list of educational resources and classes to help prepare you for the big day. From breathing techniques to pain management, we work with you to prepare for birth.  

If this is your first baby or first home birth, we highly recommend a Doula for that extra hands-on guidance and private one-on-one support in early labor.  

Many dads desire to catch their own babies, and with support and guidance, are amazing! Moms also choose to bring their own babies up to their chest after birth, we are there to help you have your birth, your way and ensure safety while doing so!

We feel every mom deserves an excellent Doula and a Midwife to have the most optimal, full spectrum support and birth experience. Doulas provide prenatal education, postpartum preparation and visits, early in home labor support (birth can be long!) and emotional and physical support during labor and delivery. Doulas are a wonderful and important addition to any home birth team.  From supporting the laboring mother and her partner, massage and relaxation techniques and childbirth preparation, they are there to support you in creating the birth experience you desire.  We recommend several Doulas who frequently work with us, or bring your own Doula!

Many moms choose to have their placentas encapsulated, meaning dehydrated, ground up and put into capsules or made into a tincture that they take during the postpartum period.  Some will ingest it in other ways. Many believe that it is helpful with hormonal balance and that they get the extra iron and nutrients that they need to recover in the postpartum period.  

These placenta encapsulation practitioners pick up the placenta right after birth and deliver it in capsules or tinctures with artwork and keepsakes too!  You contract with them, and we can provide the contact list.  

Another beautiful, ceremonial option is to bury your placenta in your backyard and plant a symbolic, memorial rosebush or tree over it.  We will show and explain your placenta to you, make sure it is intact, and place it in a Ziploc for you to place in your freezer to do with as you desire.