Meet The Midwife
Hi, I’m Lennon! I’m so glad you’re here. Home birth midwifery means…
A passion for mothers and childbirth that has spanned more than 2 decades.
A desire to serve women and help them realize their full potential through physiological birth.
A prayer to fulfill my passion for authentic, personalized care.
Like many midwives before me, I heard the calling from God to be a midwife when I first attended a family member's birth at age 19. Birth left me in awe of its power. I knew that I was meant to be a midwife.
My life has led me on a path of marriage – now for 24 blessed years, childbirth – all four of my children were born at home, education & preceptorship – with a beloved local midwife, and learning the art of supporting women through their pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
Through my education and experience, I know that pregnancy and childbirth is a normal and beautiful part of life that is meant to work. I have witnessed hundreds of births and the miracle of life never stops impressing me.
Now how does all this affect you? The dear new mama wondering if home birth is right for you?
My desire is to support the normal process of birth so you can have a safe and empowering experience. To provide exceptional, individualized care for birthing women and their families. And always respect physiological birth and informed choice.
My life has taught me many things and as a midwife, the most important thing I have learned is to trust pregnancy and birth. Women should birth where they feel safe and supported. What is a safer spot than your own sweet home surrounded by the ones you love?
Myself, my husband and our four children.
Lennon is amazing! She very patiently answered all my questions as they arose, and supported me my whole pregnancy and birth with compassion and respect. She gave me the space I needed to be my independent self and figure things out, while still guiding and supporting me when I needed it. While perfectly healthy, my pregnancy and birth were still made difficult by life circumstances, and she came alongside me as I navigated it all. I could not have done this without her, and cannot thank her enough. I don't know if I'll have any more babies after this, but if I do, Lennon will be my go-to midwife- no question! - Psherman Wallabyway
My Midwifery Timeline
2001 ~ I enrolled in midwifery school
2004 ~ My first baby was born after a long glorious home birth
2006 ~ My family moved to Salem, Oregon
2008 ~ Sat for my national midwifery exams and earned the title Certified Professional Midwife (CPM). I opened Motherbaby Midwifery in Salem, Oregon
2011 ~ I decided to give up my license and worked as a traditional midwife for ten years, thereby leaving behind Motherbaby Midwifery
2021 ~ After a decade of practicing unlicensed midwifery, I renewed my license once again and started Midwife Lennon, LLC. To continue my education and passion for natural health and healing, I I enrolled in the Homeopathy School International and will graduate in 2023. In 2024, I plan to sit for the exam to become a Certified Classical Homeopath.
Through my education, preceptorship, licensing, and more, I have raised 4 beautiful children, homeschooled them, built a healthy marriage, and fallen in love with the Willamette Valley.
Today, as a solo midwife, I serve the women of Salem, Oregon who yearn for a physiological pregnancy, labor, and birth in the comfort of their own homes. When you work with me there aren’t multiple midwives or nurses you’ll have to introduce yourself to. I will know you, your story, and your family. Continuity of care has been shown to drastically improve a mother's outcome during pregnancy and birth, and I’m proud to be a solo midwife to better serve my clients and their families.
“Having one midwife giving care from pregnancy through to birth and baby is not just a great experience. According to the Cochrane collaboration, which summarises the best medical evidence, continuity of midwifery care reduces the chance of early pregnancy loss, as well as lessening women’s need for pain relief in labour, and enhancing her satisfaction with the birth, with no extra risks for mother or baby. And a recent study from here in Brisbane showed that midwifery care can also buffer against pregnancy stress.” - Dr. Sarah Buckley
Fun Facts About Me
Favorite book ~ Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Favorite meal ~ A really good rice and veggie bowl with my favorite spicy sauce.
Favorite hobby ~ Knitting
Favorite outing in the Willamette Valley ~ a hike at Silver Falls State Park
Favorite question from new home birth families ~ All of them! I love answering families’ questions!
Lennon is fantastic – she was my midwife for my first birth in person, and supported me through my second pregnancy when I moved away. She is incredibly informative, supportive of my decisions, and was all-around helpful. I learned so much from Lennon and anyone will be lucky to give birth with her! -Marisa Soboleski
FAQ
Where are prenatal appointments held?
All prenatal appointments take place in my office in Salem. I do provide a home visit at 36 weeks, where I will drive to you for that visit. Postpartum appointments are done in your home, with the exception of the final 6-week visit, which is done in my office.
In your experience, does birth ever go according to plan?
Never. Of course, there are similarities between labor and births but even my own four births, all at home, were different. Some were long and hard while others were quick and intense. But generally speaking, every birth is different.
Have you always wanted to practice home birth midwifery?
No! Actually, I thought I would be a clinical herbalist. But after seeing my sister-in-law give birth, I was introduced to midwifery and I knew I had to pursue that path.
Why did you practice licensed midwifery and then go unlicensed?
I had a philosophical struggle with licensing and how I was allowed to practice. But there are also a number of restrictions placed on an unlicensed midwife now that I couldn’t get around. So I had to make a choice that benefited both my practice and the women I serve.