Midwifery Across CulturesWhere stories, traditions, and faith weave together in love.
I love working alongside and learning from midwives whose cultures and traditions are different from my own. Over the years, I have been blessed to serve and study with midwives in different parts of the world, each offering their own wisdom, skills, and traditions.
In 2023, I spent a month serving at the FreMo Birth Centre in Nairobi, Kenya, located in the Kawangware community. During that time, I met many wonderful midwives and mothers, formed lifelong friendships, and experienced God’s presence in new and powerful ways. I also brought home a collection of colorful cloth wraps, traditionally used for carrying babies, which I now share with the families I serve. One midwife in particular, Peninah, became a dear friend. We often shared meals together, and one evening she told me the beautiful story of how babies are named in her village. With her blessing, I wrote and shared her story, which was later published in Midwifery Today Magazine. I consider it a gift from the Lord to witness and take part in these sacred traditions that connect us as women, mothers, and midwives around the world. I have also spent time in Mexico, learning from both professional and traditional midwives. They generously taught me techniques for pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care, including traditional belly massage and the use of rebozos—long, handwoven cotton shawls unique to Mexico. While these are not my own cultural practices, they have been graciously shared with me as gifts to honor and offer to the women I serve. I see these exchanges as part of God’s beautiful design—cultures learning from and blessing one another in the sacred work of birth. For families who would like to own one, I carry a small collection of handmade rebozos from Mexico, available through my little store. Each one is crafted with care and carries the spirit of the women and traditions it comes from. These experiences continually remind me that midwifery is a universal language of compassion, faith, and service—woven across cultures, connecting women, mothers, and families in the shared miracle of life. You can read it HERE. 
Peninah & Mary in Nairobi Kenya, doing what we did a lot of together: Laugh! She was such a joy to work alongside.
I have also spent time in Mexico learning from both professional and traditional midwives. They generously taught me techniques for pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care, including traditional belly massage and the use of rebozos—long, handwoven cotton shawls unique to Mexico. While these are not my own cultural practices, they have been graciously shared with me as gifts to honor and offer to the women I serve. I see these exchanges as part of God’s beautiful design—cultures learning from one another and blessing one another in the sacred work of birth.
For families who would like to own one, I carry a small collection of handmade rebozos from Mexico, available through my little store. Each one is crafted with care and carries the spirit of the women and traditions it comes from. I keep my hands busy during free time with spinning, knitting, herbal collecting, writing and gardening. I enjoy going to church and reading the Bible, spending time with my family and dog, hiking, long drives, taking photos, and sharing midwifery through social media. At home, on our little farm, my husband, Chris, and I enjoy caring for our chickens and turkeys, quiet walks, gathering eggs and sharing them with friends, all things sourdough, and shepherding our small flock of sheep.
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Restoring Faith, Renewing Love
Where compassion & faith meet in the sacred work of birth.
I carry a special heart for mothers who have walked through difficult or distressing births. In Christ, pregnancy and postpartum can be sacred seasons of healing, courage, and new strength. My care includes extra postpartum support, gentle breastfeeding guidance, and nourishment for both body and spirit—because the way we love and serve mothers and babies is part of God’s beautiful design.
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What Moonbelly Clients Are Saying
"I cannot truly say how incredibly grateful I am to have had your care, support, and tender guidance throughout this journey. What an incredible journey it has been! I have always felt so calm and powerful in your presence, and feel honored to have been the recipient of your incredibly special gift of your midwifery care. Love, Michelle" |
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