Mikaela Engarde
Faith-based, holistic, autonomous and trauma informed midwifery care.
Community and Traditional Midwife, Doula, Mentor.
Walking with women.
During fertility. pregnancy. birth, postpartum and
every season of motherhood.
Hello, friend! My name is Mikaela Engarde and I am a Christ following wife, mama and Traditional Community Midwife.
I started my birth worker journey as a doula over a decade ago.
It all started when I found out I was pregnant with my daughter, Lilly, at the tender age of 20. Young and completely naive of the road that was ahead of me, I did the best I could to plan for an unmedicated birth center birth.
Unfortunately, my “holistic” providers were wolves in sheep’s clothing and my experience was greatly affected because of this.
After experiencing lack of support and advocacy during my daughter’s pregnancy, birth and postpartum period, I discovered the true nature of how flawed our maternity care system is.
Because of this birth trauma, I had a very difficult battle with postpartum depression that I fought mostly alone and in isolation.
As is His good nature, God used those ashes to call me into this work. He is in the business of redeeming, and my life is a testimony to this.
This personal experience of birth trauma and postpartum depression fueled the deep passion that grew for ensuring each of my clients are educated in all of their options and supported in all of their choices.
I became certified with The International Doula Institute and offered both birth and postpartum doula services (CBD/CPD), as well as holistic, physiologic Childbirth Education from 2014-2023.
After years of witnessing obstetrical violence, lack of informed consent, policies and procedures that created poor outcomes and overall lack of human rights within the system, I became increasingly disgusted with the state of maternity care in our country.
After the redeeming, Spirit-led and faith filled homebirth of my son in 2017, I very clearly heard the call to midwifery.
Since then, I have apprenticed closely with other community based and experienced midwives over the span of 3+ years. Additionally, I have slowly worked through the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) PEP Process for CPM (Certified Professional Midwife) certification, which is nearing completion.
Because of the isolation and lack of support I experienced as I entered motherhood, I am passionate about community and connecting with my clients throughout pregnancy through consistent communication via text/phone calls, our prenatal meetings, community events and "mom's nights out" that are organized for our community here.
I am so passionate about women stepping into their God-given potential and purpose, and I believe that birth has the capacity to be such a profound part of sanctifying and refining us.
No matter how long I do this work, I consider it a profound privilege and an honor to support families during such a transformational and life-changing time in their lives.
I so look forward to meeting YOU!
-Mikaela
I view the birth space as a sacred and Holy space. Therefore, who is let into this space is so vitally important and not to be taken lightly.
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What is most important to you for your birth?
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Why are you wanting your doula/birth keeper/midwife present?
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What characteristics are you hoping they carry?
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In what ways do you envision them supporting you?
These are all questions to consider when finding an aligning birth team.
Am I The Midwife for You?
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I support complete autonomy of the mother and true informed consent.
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I view my relationship with my clients as one of equal collaboration; not a hierarchy.
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I believe physiological birth should be the standard and that this design is NOT flawed and does not need intervening (in almost all cases).
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I believe birth is just as much of a spiritual transformation as it is a physiological process.
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I believe the biggest inhibitor of birth is fear, and this can be addressed through a practice of surrender and trust in the One who created our bodies and the process of birth.
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I believe prayer and scripture play a vital role in the ease of ability to surrender and trust during the birth process.
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I do not believe in coercion, manipulation or fear-based practices.
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I believe in holistic care and viewing each client as a whole person: mind, body and spirit.
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I believe that the power of choice lies in the hands of the parents and that is not to be given away or outsourced to any person or entity, other than God Himself.
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While acquiring medical skills and knowledge is essential for proper care and managing birth emergencies, birth is safest and unfolds most efficiently when left alone.
If this sounds like what you’re looking for, please reach out! I’d love to connect with you!
Birth Assistants:
Abby Rice
Birth Assistant, Birth/Postpartum/Bereavement Doula
"I’m Abby, daughter of Jesus, wife, mother to four children earthside, and very passionate about coming alongside women as they embrace their sovereignty over their pregnancy and birth journey. It became very clear to me after the birth of our first and second child that birth does not belong to the medical system, but first and foremost to women. That is what began my journey into birthwork. After starting my own doula business and becoming a midwife assistant to Mikaela, I have realized how truly sacred birth is and that birth is a rite of passage. I’m looking forward to continuing to learn more about home birth and supporting mothers in their journey to motherhood."
Karen Clemmer
Birth Assistant, ER Nurse
"Hi, I’m Karen Clemmer. I’m married and a proud mama to a sweet little girl who is almost two. I love Jesus, early morning walks, reading, singing, and a good latte.
My passion for birth began when a close friend invited me to attend her home birth. Witnessing her experience labor with such peace and strength was both powerful and inspiring. Seeing birth unfold in such a calm and supportive environment left a lasting impression on me.
Soon after, I discovered I was pregnant myself and immersed myself in learning about pregnancy, labor, and the incredible design of the female body. During that time, I also came to understand how deeply a supportive birth team can influence a woman’s experience.
Although my own birth story unfolded differently than I had planned, it only deepened my desire to encourage and empower mothers throughout pregnancy and birth. Since then, I have had the privilege of serving as a doula for friends and later joining Mikaela’s team as a birth assistant.
It is truly an honor to support families during such a sacred and life-changing moment. Being part of welcoming new life into the world is a joy that never grows old."
TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
CERTIFIED BIRTH DOULA
International Doula Institute, March 2015
Trained as a professional support person in the needs of the family during pregnancy and childbirth.
5 Core Competencies:
Physiology of Childbirth
Common Interventions and Evidence Based Care
Comfort Measures for Childbirth
Breastfeeding
Communicating with Medical Care Providers and Clients Utilizing Emotional Intelligence
CERTIFIED POSTPARTUM DOULA
International Doula Institute, January 2016
Trained in 5 Core Competencies:
Caring for and Understanding the Needs of the Postpartum Mom and Partner
Caring for and Understanding the Needs of Baby/Babies
Caring for and Understanding the Needs of the Siblings
Caring for and Understanding the Needs of the Home
Caring for the Whole Family Utilizing Emotional Intelligence
CERTIFIED BREASTFEEDING COUNSELOR
International Doula Institute, 2019
Breastfeeding Counselors are individuals in the community who are called to serve and are an important part of the prenatal and postpartum education and support new mothers receive.
The Certified Breastfeeding Counselor (CBC) certification identifies a professional in lactation counseling who has demonstrated the necessary skills, knowledge, and attitudes to provide clinical breastfeeding counseling and management support to families who are thinking about breastfeeding or who have questions or problems during the course of breastfeeding/lactation
CERTIFIED CHILDBIRTH EDUCATOR
The Childbirth Educator credential (CBE) verifies that childbirth educators have the necessary education and skills to enable them to facilitate expectant parents’ mental and physical preparation for pregnancy, labor, birth and parenthood.
BIRTH/MIDWIVES
ASSISTANT
Assisting the homebirth midwife at births and with clinical/office tasks.
CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL MIDWIFE
NRP CERTIFICATION
Completion of the NARM specified requirements for Certified Professional Midwife certification (PEP Process) through hands-on skills training and clinical experience with various midwives in the local community.