Shauna Kenealey, LDM, CPM, IBCLC

I have always been fascinated by pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding. For years after my brother was born I would ask my father to take me to the hospital nursery so that I could see the “fresh babies”. I was born a natural scientist and the intricacies of human physiology intrigue me. Especially, the amazing journey from conception to breastfeeding. I learned about midwifery from a young woman in Pittsburgh who was heading to The Farm to study midwifery. Homebirth always made sense to me.

My eldest daughter was born into the hands of our midwife at home in the redwoods. Her peaceful birth transformed me and affirmed my calling to become a midwife. When I attended my first hospital birth in 2003 I was surprised at the number of interventions which led to a “normal” hospital birth. I wanted to support families in avoiding unnecessary interventions during their births. After studying Environmental Education at Sonoma State University for 4 years I decided that it was time to attend midwifery school. My family and I moved to Portland and I immersed myself (and my family) into midwifery. In 2006, my youngest daughter was born into my hands in the water, attended by her father, sister, and a few of our midwife friends. My daughters’ pregnancies and births taught me many lessons of patience, surrender, inner wisdom, and love. They continue to be my greatest teachers.

I graduated from Birthingway College of Midwifery, earning a Bachelor of Science in Midwifery (BSM) after completing three years of rigorous midwifery-focused academics. I apprenticed and worked as a primary midwife under supervision with a busy, experienced homebirth practice in the Portland area, Right At Home Midwifery. During my apprenticeship I had the opportunity to experience many different births including VBACs, twins, and a breech. Following my apprenticeship, I stayed on with my mentor to attend several more births. After successfully sitting for the North American Registry of Midwives’ in-depth board exam, I earned the Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) credential and am also a Licensed Direct-entry Midwife (LDM). The CPM credential is a nationally recognized credential and licensing is given by the state. In 2011 I sat for the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners test and became an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.

After attending many births, I am still in awe of the beauty surrounding the emergence of a new human being. Birth is an incredibly profound experience for the baby, mother, and family. I love being a midwife and feel honored each time I am invited by a family to share in the growth and birth of their baby. When not midwifing, I enjoy exploring the world with my children, hiking, gardening, riding horses and caring for our animals. I am also one of the founders of Woodland Charter School, a Waldorf methods charter school in the Applegate Valley.

Thank you so very much! Shauna Kenealey