Marie Wakefield

ND, LM

Midwifery has truly been a calling in my life. I feel blessed to love what I do for “work” and am honored to serve pregnant families during a very special time in their lives. I was born and raised in Tucson, AZ and attended the University of Arizona for my bachelor’s degree. I then moved to WA to attended Bastyr University and graduated with degrees in Naturopathic Medicine and Midwifery. After graduation, I took some time off to have my children (both were born at home in our bath tub) and then started my practice in 2007. Since I had two young kids at home, I chose to focus on midwifery. I have wonderful family support and a husband that can be flexible with the crazy on-call lifestyle I lead.

I offer home births for healthy pregnant families. Studies have shown that home birth is as safe, if not safer, than hospital birth for low risk clients. Out of hospital birth is designed to support birth the way it should be- in a comfortable, caring, gentle and safe environment. As a midwife, my goal is to guide you through pregnancy and birth, helping each to find their own way through this incredible journey.

I honor each client’s inner wisdom and natural instincts.

I prefer to use as little intervention as possible and have complete faith in the body’s ability to birth naturally. Birth is an empowering experience that teaches you just how strong you really are. You deserve to have choices and options in how you birth.

Chelsea Rice

LM, CPM

I have had a passion for birth since attending my baby sister’s birth when I was 13 years old. I had my first child in the hospital in 2006 and was disappointed with the experience. In researching other options, I was led to doula work, and I absolutely loved supporting families in their labor and birth. However, due to life circumstances and lack of support I had to give it up. With my second pregnancy, I chose a licensed midwife at a birth center and was astounded by the differences in care. Feeling respected and being allowed autonomy and choices for my body and my baby was HUGE. I married my amazing husband in 2012, and we have had two more children together, at home in the water. In January 2016, I enrolled at Midwives College of Utah and started my journey. In April 2022 I finished a two-year internship with Natural Beginnings and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Midwifery.  

I believe that pregnancy and birth are inherently normal physiological events.

I respect your strength, ability, and right to birth your baby in the manner that most suits you and I strive to be a partner in achieving the experience that you desire. I trust the inherently natural process of birth and believe that your body and your baby were made for this and know what to do. I do not deliver babies, but rather assist you in birthing your baby by providing support and knowledge. My goal is to provide you with the knowledge and confidence to make choices regarding your care according to your wishes and needs. This is your journey; I am simply here to help you along the way and ensure you and your baby arrive at your destination as safely as possible. It is such an honor to support families through their pregnancy and birth experiences and to have a career that brings me so much joy and fulfillment.