Andrea Henderson, CPM, LM
I have had the desire to assist women giving birth since I was a young child. My parents would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up and my answer was always “a doctor who delivers babies.” After discovering midwifery, I knew that midwifery was my calling. I hold strong beliefs that birth is a normal and healthy process with great importance placed on each family having a safe and satisfying experience. As an advocate for birth, I have a compelling desire to enhance the confidence in our culture's view of a woman’s body and her natural ability to give birth. I hold a profound respect for people’s different beliefs, customs and values. All women and their families deserve quality health care with the right to choose how and where they want to birth their babies. My goal to serve as a midwife is largely based on a passion towards empowering women and their families.

I attended Central Washington University while working towards a Bachelors of Science degree in Pre-Midwifery. Following Central Washington University, I attended the direct-entry program at Seattle Midwifery School and became a Licensed Midwife. I feel honored to have the opportunity to work with Heike Doyle at the Puget Sound Birth Center where I trained under both Eastside Midwives and Lake Washington Midwives during my time at Seattle Midwifery School. During my training at Puget Sound Birth Center I felt a strong connection between the midwives and myself, a good fit from the beginning.

My husband, John, and I recently gave birth to our own daughter, Luna, at home which uncovered yet another layer of my understanding of the strong emotions of pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period, as well as the empowering experience of working with midwives in an out of hospital setting. I look forward to serving you with the same superb midwifery care that was given to me, which felt like a gift, during that tender time surrounding birth.
 

Traci Palagi, CPM, LM
Traci has moved to Great Falls, MT, to set up her midwifery practice there. We miss her and wish her all the best.

Traci can be contacted via her website at www.greatfallshomebirth.com

Midwives Oath:
As a midwife, I uphold the following guiding principles:

To work in partnership with women, respecting the dignity and rights of the women I work with, recognizing that the most important determinant of a healthy pregnancy is the mother herself.

To support women to make informed choices and take responsibility for their own well-being.

To understand that childbearing is primarily a personal and community event; a normal process that involves physical, emotional and spiritual factors.

To facilitate these normal processes utilizing a holistic approach, recognizing that each pregnancy and birth is unique.

I believe that midwifery care represents an important resource for improving the health of mothers, babies and families.

I am dedicated to the development and advancement of the profession in North America.