Kansas Midwives

I am often asked about my philosophy on midwifery.  Midwifery is one of the oldest professions known to mankind.  And after 30 years of practice as a homebirth midwife, I still believe that pregnancy and birth are not critical care situations and can be treated as a normal process in low-risk women.  And although women are made to have babies, I only accept low-risk pregnancies.  I see my clients once a month for the first eight months, then every two weeks and every week until delivery.

Homebirth is a sacred, family event.  Children are welcome to attend the births, and a special class is even offered to help prepare them for what to expect at the birth.  Other classes include: Early Bird and Pre-Conception, Water Birth, Breastfeeding, Herbs for Women, The Doula and Labor Coach, and a series of six classes on homebirth.

I am a 1981 graduate of The American Academy of Midwifery in Dallas, Texas.  I served an apprenticeship with Helen-Jolly Nelson from 1980-1981 and graduated from Family Birth Services in 1997.  I was documented by the Texas Department of Health in Austin, Texas.  I served as Treasurer for the North Texas Midwives Association.  I have been trained in neonatal resuscitation and was authorized as an American Red Cross instructor from 2003-2004.

Over the past 30 years, I have attended approximately 1,500 births, both in-home and at birth centers.  During the decades of my practice, I have trained many apprentices and love doing so.  I have been a childbirth educator since 1975 and have taught for several single-mother homes, including The Elizabeth Home in Denton, Texas.  I was a foster mother to 13 single moms for Highlands Child Placement.  I have eight grandchildren and have attended all of their births.

I am a lifeguard to help you in your time of need.  I am a Christian midwife, a chaplain, and an ordained minister in the Christian faith, although many of my clients are of other beliefs and I welcome this.  As a chaplain, I perform weddings, baptisms, and blessing way ceremonies.  I also provide counseling on women's issues as a minister and midwife.  I am a nationally certified and licensed massage therapist and body worker to heal the body and ease the mind.  I am the author of "A Midwife's Legacy: The Amazing Power of Women." 

  I offer full prenatal care, lab work, pregnancy and postpartum care, and newborn care classes.  You may contact me at 816-651-5570.  I only practice in legal states, but will gladly travel to do so.

Birth is as safe as life gets.

Laura O'Dell