I cannot say enough about what an amazing Midwife Susan Oshel is! I have been working with her as a…read moreBirth Assistant and I have learned what Amazing Midwifery looks like. Not only is she THE MOST knowledgeable Midwife that I know, she does every single thing from the heart. As an assistant, I have witnessed her in the setting of Prenatal Care, Home Birth, as well as Postpartum Care. She handles herself very professionally with clients. She is gentle and calm and offers very loving support to her clients. I believe this is what many women are looking for in a Midwife and I would highly recommend her for YOUR birth too.

From the owner: Because every woman and every pregnancy is unique, every woman deserves complete, wholistic health…read morecare, designed with her own specific needs and circumstances in mind. You will enjoy longer appointment times and individualized care as part of the Blue Ridge Midwifery family. You will be listened to, heard, and valued. You can expect to receive complete, honest, evidence-based information to help you as you make important decisions concerning your (and your baby's) health and well-being.

I have attended several births with Degra as a support person and have found her to be competent,…read moreloving, kind and responsive with a traditional midwifery style that I am happy to support. I am a senior/retired midwife and rarely see modern midwives, such as Degra, practicing in the traditional style that I look for in a home birth practitioner. She is up to date on medical knowledge and willing to use it when necessary, however, she screens her clients to fit into the protocols of safe home birth criteria. I can highly recommend her to anyone looking for a safe, compassionate and highly skilled maternity practitioner.

Degra offered really incredible care. She is experienced and knowledgeable. I felt very safe and…read morereassured by her throughout the pregnancy and birth. She is detailed and cares deeply for her patients and their babies. Her postpartum care was excellent.

I cannot recommend Breath of Life Midwifery enough--truly 10000000% recommend…read more I birthed with them in 2017 and had a successful VBAC after 34 hours of fully supported labor. When I say supported, I mean in every way--emotionally, physically, and spiritually. I never once felt alone, dismissed, or unsure. Their presence is calm, confident, and deeply reassuring in a way that's hard to put into words unless you've experienced it. Since then, I've moved over 400 miles away, and during my most recent pregnancy, I genuinely considered traveling back just to be in their care again. That's how much trust and respect I have for this team. Hands down, it was the safest I have ever felt during any of my birth experiences. They are incredibly thorough, attentive, and prepared--they've truly thought of everything. You can tell they don't just do this work--they live it and care deeply about every family they serve. If you're considering midwifery care or a home birth, Breath of Life sets the standard. I'm forever grateful for the role they played in one of the most important experiences of my life.

From the owner: Breath of Life Midwifery provides care that is supportive, informative, and respectful to families…read morein Roanoke, the NRV, and surrounding areas. Our clients make decisions for their birth with support and evidence-based guidance. Because every mother, every baby, and every birth is different, there are no routine interventions or strict time limits. The strong relationships we build with families prenatally transform into lasting friendships well beyond the initial postpartum period. If this is what you are looking for, Breath of Life Midwifery may be right for you. We specialize in homebirth services for low risk families, but provide doula services, childbirth classes, breastfeeding support, well woman care, and more.

Rhythm of Birth is an incredible help and support regardless of what kind of birth you are hoping…read morefor! I am not a strong or athletic woman in any way and while I hoped for an unmedicated birth, I was a little skeptical that it would be possible. After watching their video courses and practicing the pain coping techniques they teach, I was able to manage contractions enough to even go to work the day my baby was born! They helped me shift my perspective of labor from something that would happen *to* me, to see it as a hard work that I would do for my baby. Even in the midst of debilitating contractions, I felt empowered and supported. In the end, I was able to deliver my baby vaginally with not so much as a tylenol. I have to say, I could not have made it and certainly not made it with confidence, without their encouragement, coaching and support! I've now worked with Rhythm of Birth twice and both times I can confirm they are the BEST!! I would recommend adding a doula to your team to absolutely any birthing mama. period. Doulas are amazing and Rhythm of Birth is the best of the best!

From the beginning of our relationship, Shalene was warm, patient and determined to help us feel…read moreboth comfortable with her support and also empowered to bring our own individual preferences into the birth preparation. Although we began working with her very late in my pregnancy, our two prenatal consultations were rich in theoretical information and practical activities. When we finally decided that it was time to go to the hospital, Shalene arrived promptly with a variety of helpful props for labor. However, she allowed me to completely guide the process depending on what position or type of support would help me through contractions most. During labor, Shalene assumed a 'behind-the-scenes' role, primarily focusing on helping me to discover how I could labor most comfortably and helping my husband support me. She also worked as a team with the hospital staff, willing to yield to their expertise where appropriate. Shalene was able to be flexible in her roles; she used touch, breath, talk and positioning throughout the labor and while Brennon (my husband) helped me in the pushing stage, she assumed the role of photographer. Our perfect baby girl was born with no complications only 4 hours after arriving at the hospital, and I truly believe that Shalene's ability to keep me calm and focused throughout a difficult process is one of the main reasons for this. The next day, the nurse said my birth was the best natural birth she had seen in her years working as a nurse. Shalene's approach was different, the nurse explained, as she recognized that Shalene was a team player and never attempted to undermine the expertise of nurses or doctors. Instead, she made the labor experience more calm and personal for the mother and the birth partner. Following the birth, Shalene visited me in the hospital and then at home a week later, and she was willing to answer any questions that we had.