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I am a certified nurse-midwife and registered nurse with more than 25 years experience. My work with women and their families has been in homes, hospitals and birth centers. I have personally delivered over a thousand babies and have participated in the care of thousands more.
For the majority of women, life's changes are normal and need little interference. Professional midwifery care has a proven record of safety, and safety is paramount. I am watchful of the well being of the woman and her baby. I will refer or assist in transferring a client or her newborn to physician care when indicated. However, understanding & trust in the natural process of birth results in little need for medical intervention. I am very familiar with high tech's benefits when appropriate.
I respect individual, family, cultural and religious-spiritual differences and support women's freedom to express themselves. I take time for questions, discussions and attention during office and home visits. My emphasis is on preventing problems through education and helping women make decisions for themselves and their family. I believe the art of midwifery is expressed in being present, supportive and patient throughout pregnancy and birth and being a lifeguard when the need arises.
My husband Pete and I raised three children: Jesse, Luke, and Georgia. All were born at home with the help of midwives because we believe that was the safest and most appropriate care for our babies and ourselves.
I am a life-long Texan, but moved many times as a military kid and lived for two years in Okinawa. My greatest joys come from my home life with my family and friends, my yard, my dog, and swimming at Barton Springs. I have a spiritual calling to midwifery which is deeply rewarding.
Education:
- Master of Nursing, Nurse Midwifery Specialty, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 1980
- Certification as Certified Nurse-Midwife by American College of Nurse Midwives, 1979
- Bachelor of Science, Nursing, University of Texas Austin, 1975
- Breastfeeding Educator, Texas Department of Health, 2004
- Current Infant and Adult CPR and Neonatal Resuscitation
Associations:
- American College of Nurse Midwives
- Consortium of Texas Certified Nurse Midwives (Past President 2004-2008)
- Association of Texas Midwives
- Midwives Alliance of North America
- Texans for Midwifery, Austin
- Citizens for Midwifery
Siobhan Kubesh, RN, CNM
Since 1993 I have had the honor of caring for mothers and infants and have enjoyed educating and supporting families as they transition and grow. I have cared for women and babies in a variety of settings including private office, clinic, and hospital, but have found the greatest satisfaction in attending home births.
I believe in returning the power of decision making to women and their partners. I individualize care and delicately balance holistic midwifery care with medical technology when necessary and desired by the family. Pregnancy and childbirth are normal events for healthy women and should be treated as such. My role is to educate and guide a family in making health care decisions based on research, individual family risk factors and life philosophy.
My husband and I are raising our two children in northwest Austin, where we are active members in our church and community. I enjoy spending time with family, boating, and helping our children explore and learn from our beautiful world.
Education:
- Master of Nursing Science, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Certification as Certified Nurse-Midwife, 2000
- Bachelor of Nursing Science, Montana State University, 1993
- ICEA Certified Childbirth Educator, 1994
- Breastfeeding Educator, Texas Department of Health, 1997
- Current Infant and Adult CPR and Neonatal Resuscitation
Associations:
- American College of Nurse Midwives (Local chapter Treasurer)
- International Childbirth Education Association
- Association of Texas Midwives
- Consortium of Texas Certified Nurse-Midwives
- Texans for Midwifery, Austin
Whitney Kolongowski, LM, CPM
I am a Certified Professional Midwife and licensed in the state of Texas in early 2007. I have worked in many different aspects of women's healthcare over the past 5 years. I am greatly enjoying the experience of working with two established Austin Midwives.
I hold true that as a midwife, my job is to create and protect a safe environment for women in which to birth. I feel that when this space is created, women can birth normally with little intervention. I feel that a woman's body holds the inate knowledge it needs to cultivate a beautiful pregnancy, birthing and post partum experience. I believe what clients need from me will differ. I make a special effort to gauge exactly what my place should be (whether that be very "hands off" or very "hands on"), all the while monitoring the clinical aspects needed to make for a healthy mom and babe.
I am originally from southeast Michigan, although my midwifery education has taken me to Maine and Oregon as well. I now live in Northwest Austin with my husband, James, two dogs and cat. We are expecting our first child (and first homebirth) in late May/early June of 2008.
Education:
- Certificate of Midwifery, Birthwise Midwifery School, 2006
- Completed midwifery apprenticeship, Andaluz Waterbirth Center, 2005
- Attended births in Senegal, Africa, 2006
- Studied abroad in Mexico, Spain, Italy and Egypt
- Current Infant and Adult CPR and Neonatal Resuscitation
Associations:
- North American Registry of Midwives
- Citizens for Midwifery
- Association of Texas Midwives
- Midwives Alliance of North America
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