Why “Birthkeeper” ?

There are many terms to describe a woman who cares for other women in pregnancy and labor, and each has its own meaning and connotation.

Doula, midwife, traditional midwife, birth worker, montrice, birth attendant, birth assistant, birthkeeper, and others I’m not thinking of at this moment.

I choose to use the term birthkeeper… Why?

Some titles infer licensure or certifications. I serve families independently from certificates or licenses, as I prefer to be bound directly to the families who hire me rather than an organization or state which licenses or certifies. The care I provide falls in between the role of a doula and a traditional midwife, though still on the doula end of that spectrum. A traditional midwife gains her knowledge and experience through apprenticeship and mentorship, attending births in a home setting. I would never claim the title of “midwife”… well maybe in 30 years. As my studies extend, my knowledge deepens, and my experience expands, I will humbly inch my way towards traditional midwifery, and even then I may still resonate as a birthkeeper.

To me a keeper is fully immersed in their work in all aspects of their life- I imagine a lighthouse keeper who lives in a lighthouse, isolated on a remote coastline, responsible for keeping the light lit.. or a shopkeeper who’s shop has been open daily for decades, who lives in the back of the shop, and takes pride in each individual piece for sale in their shop.. or an innkeeper who stewards an aging inn, rich in story, who genuinely cares deeply for the comfort and wellbeing of every guest to have ever stayed at the inn.

A keeper will leave a long lasting personal imprint in the area they devote themselves. The role of a keeper is more than a job or even a career, it’s all encompassing- a deep part of who you are, and it shapes your every interaction, relationship, and perception of your world 💫💞💫