Lauren Stum BSM, CPM-TN
Who am I? Hello! I am Lauren, and I am a midwife. I am also a wife and mother of five. My midwifery journey has been and continues to be a beautiful and humbling adventure. After I graduated from Birthingway College of Midwifery in 2014, I immediately started my own practice where I faithfully served the community until our family moved to Tennessee in early 2022.
What does midwifery mean to me? Well midwife literally translates to with women. Being a midwife is tending to, care for, being with a woman in her most tender and vulnerable moments of her life. Midwifery is a calling, and I can say with absolutely integrity I was born to be a midwife. The seeds of midwifery were planted early in my life. Being the oldest, I witnessed the births of my siblings. I vividly remember watching the midwives at work, and being enthralled by these quiet, reserved women. When it became my time to embrace the world of motherhood, labor and birth was one of the most physically demanding and transformative experiences of my life akin to nothing else I have yet to experience. I am incredibly grateful for the exceptional midwifery team I had for support. Afterwards I felt empowered and accomplished, and I saw the world differently, all thanks to the midwifery model of care and compassionate, reserved midwives.
How did I become a midwife? My first baby steps into midwifery started in 2005 when I volunteered as a labor doula at Oregon Health Science and University Hospital. I worked mostly with teens, immigrants, and inmates providing empathic care, support, and encouragement for these mothers. By 2007, I was enrolled in midwifery college. My journey to full-fledged midwife took seven years of schooling and training. Additionally, I was blessed with the wonderful opportunity during my clinicals to be trained by exceptionally seasoned midwives. Finally in 2014, I received Bachelors of Science of Midwifery and obtained Certified Professional Midwifery credentialing.
What are my hobbies? Most of my spare time, I spend with my family. One of our favorite pastimes is "geeking out" for hours playing board games; we may be a bit too competitive. We also enjoy the outdoors adventures - kayaking, hiking, biking, swimming, and camping.
Alyssa Willis CPM-TN
Who am I? Greetings, I am Alyssa, and I come from a large family – one of eight children. I was born in Tennessee, and while I have not always lived here, I still refer to myself as a native Tennessean – my home, family, and heart are here. In addition to being a midwife, I am also a baker and a farmer.
What does midwifery mean to me? Midwifery is a different approach to maternity care than the mainstream medical model. It is client-led care instead of patient care. Women are treated as individuals each with their own unique story. Midwifery is about building a mutual and respectful relationship between client and midwife. It is not a “one-size fits all” approach. Through midwifery care women are educated about their body and pregnancy enabling them to become active participants in their care and ultimately the decision-makers for their care. In addition to these things, being a midwife to me is a work from the heart that began with a calling from the Lord. My heart’s desire is for women to feel valued and supported while under my care. It is my hope that our clients enter motherhood feeling supported, loved, and confident. It is a great honor to be able to service families during the child-bearing years.
How did I become a midwife? My calling to midwifery started in 2011 and continues to blossom. In 2016, I started a six-year midwifery intensive program at Charis Childbirth, and by early 2022, I graduated. Additionally during this time, I had the amazing opportunity and blessing to do my clinical training at a high-volume free-standing birth center in Grand Prairie, Texas where I attended for over 200 births. In early 2022, I returned home and began the daunting task of starting my own midwifery practice, Family Heritage Midwifery. About this time is when I met Lauren and we discovered our philosophy regarding midwifery, client care, birth, and faith aligned. So here I am in a fellowship with Upper Cumberland Midwifery Services and enjoying servicing families with Lauren in the beautiful Cumberland Plateau.
What are my hobbies? Outside midwifery, I love to spend time with the Lord, family, and friends. Crochet is one of my favorite pastimes. The kitchen is another area where I really enjoy spending time, especially with my family in our bakery. I also find joy in caring for farm animals, gardening, and hiking.