BirthSpirit - About Us

Jan Wolfenberg, CPM, LM

I am an apprentice-trained traditional midwife. I have undergone the certification process of the North American Registry of Midwives, and received my certification as a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) in September of 2001. This credential qualified me to become a Wisconsin Licensed Midwife in April of 2007, the first date when such licensing was available. My state license number is 6-049.

My formal education includes a Bachelor of Science degree from Valparaiso University (1975) and post-graduate studies in Homeopathy, Anatomy & Physiology, Pathology, and Spanish.

I discovered my calling to work in childbirth during my first pregnancy in1978. From that time forward, while also having and raising my own children, I attended various workshops and training courses to become certified in childbirth education and labor assisting. My certification in these areas is through the Association of Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators (ALACE). After my own two homebirths (1983, 1987), I made the decision to become a midwife and began pursuing education toward that end, mainly through independent study.

Jan encourages Rachael
during her labor with her first baby.

"For a woman and her baby to do the birth dance the woman needs to be able to wriggle and squat and arch and open. It is primal. Most babies were created in a primal way and it's primal work and pleasure for them to be helped by their mother to emerge earthside. Sisters, celebrate your beautiful powerful bodies, spiral your hips and birth your babies with pride. Attendants dance with them. It's a privilege."

~Invisible Midwives

We moved to Buffalo, NY in 1988, where I studied the science of homeopathic medicine for several years; I co-founded and led a study group on that fascinating subject, and eventually began consulting with clients seeking homeopathic care. From 1988 to 1992, I ran a small sewing business out of my home, making cotton children's pajamas - I called it Janjammies. I also became a La Leche League Leader and assistant manager of a large health food store.

Finally, in 1992, I began training to be a midwife through the traditional method of apprenticeship with experienced midwives. I apprenticed for over 6 years, working with at least 6 different midwives in various capacities. In October and November of 1998, I spent 7 weeks in El Paso, Texas at a busy birth center, acquiring additional intensive experience. After my return from Texas, I assisted another midwife for a year before I began practicing independently.

I have been attending births since 1992 and practicing as a primary midwife since 2000. To date, I have attended over 555 births in various capacities; the breakdown of these is as follows:

Intended Out-of-Hospital births as primary/co-primary midwife: 352
Intended Out-of-Hospital births as primary assistant to the midwife: 120
Hospital births as doula/professional labor support person: 70
Birth-center births as an observer (1998): 16
Primary clients (mother or baby) transferred to a hospital during the period between 37 wks of pregnancy and 1 wk postpartum: 71
Primary clients transported to the hospital DURING labor: 53
Percentage of those labor transports that involved first labors: 80%
Primary clients (mother or baby) transported to the hospital in the immediate postpartum: 6
Waterbirths: 145

I have been married for 36 years and am the mother of 3 grown children, 2 of whom where born at home, and grandmother to 2 grandchildren, 1 of whom was born at home and into my hands!

Jan and Maxx, dancing

Dancing with my grandson Maxx, 2 years old, at my daughter's wedding reception

I hold current certification in both adult and infant CPR as well as neonatal resuscitation. I am an active member of the Wisconsin Guild of Midwives, the National Association of Certified Professional Midwives, the CARE Network of Milwaukee, and the Midwive's Alliance of North America. I continue my study of midwifery in order to remain current on all things childbirth, and in August 2006 spent a week at The Farm in Tennessee (home of Ina May Gaskin, author of Spiritual Midwifery), participating in the Advanced Midwifery Workshop held there yearly.

In addition to being a midwife, I am a wellness consultant, specializing in homeopathy, nutritional/ herbal supplementation, and the body-mind connection. I also coordinate a small natural-foods buyer's club out of my home.

ASSISTANTS

PAMELA RHODES, CPM, LM

I am not a doctor or a nurse but I am a professional caregiver. My education has been personal, not formal and is on-going. I have educated myself in the practices of midwifery through a variety of textbooks on birth, anatomy, physiology, breastfeeding, and through hands-on experience at the elbow of three senior midwives. Before the changes in the laws of Wisconsin pertaining to Licensed Midwives (LM) occurred, I was content to just be an assistant, and do primary care for those who sought out my services. Having a family with 4 children (3 born at home) and a part-time job was enough. However the changes in the law brought changes in the direction of my life. I pursued and achieved my Certified Professional Midwife credential through the North American Registry of Midwives, which allowed me to also become a Licensed Midwife in the state of Wisconsin.

During the past 22 years, I have been active in midwifery, both as an assistant and a primary care giver. I have witnessed and aided in the resolving of complications during the prenatal period, in labor, at birth, of the newborn, and post-partum. I have handled transports of mothers before delivery, and of a newborn. I maintain certification in Neonatal Resuscitation and Adult CPR.

I am honored to partake in the personal details of prenatal care, birth, and the sacred life passage of newborns. I hold in high esteem the calling of midwifery and will always do my best to keep homebirth safe. I can best do this by staying skilled and up-to-date in my training, knowing my limitations, and communicating clearly with clients. I believe in preventative care, and that a keen observation and thoughtful assessment of mom and baby are the best ways to manage situations and will lead to the best medical, spiritual, and emotional outcome for all involved. I count it an honor to be working with Jan.