Lynette Tilley CPM, LDM

My midwifery journey began in the early 80’s with my own birth experiences. Through each of my children’s births, I found myself increasingly passionate about issues concerning childbearing women and their babies.

In 1988 I began assisting in childbirth education classes and attending births as labor support, now referred to as a doula. I found providing support for women in labor was a calling I hadn't expected, but enjoyed immensely. I was hooked! As I raised my children I continued attending births, going to birth related workshops, conferences and pursuing my interest in becoming a Midwife.

In 1996 I began working with Pearl Place Women’s Health in Tacoma Washington. In 1999 their dream of a free standing birth center, offering out of hospital birth for low risk women, became a reality. From 1999 through 2003 I attended births as an apprentice midwife under the supervision of Pearl Place Midwives at The Birthing Inn. While I worked assisting at births, I also served as director and instructor for Best Beginnings education program through Pearl Place Women’s Health. I taught childbirth preparation classes and facilitated mommy support groups. Prenatal yoga, belly dancing and various parenting related workshops were also offered through our program.

In 2003 I began attending Birthingway College of Midwifery in Portland Oregon and re-located to Hood River. After settling in, I accepted an internship in 2004 as primary midwife under the supervision of Laura Erick son CPM, LDM at Alma Birth Center in Portland. During my time at Alma I had the privilege of providing prenatal care, postpartum care, and attending 3-4 births a month in private homes and the birth center. In the spring of 2006 I completed my full time studies at Birthingway College of Midwifery and my internship with Alma Midwifery. In August 2006 I passed the North American Registry of Midwives exam and became a licensed Certified Professional Midwife.

Over the last 18 years I have been blessed by the women and families I have served and supported during such an amazing and pivotal time in their lives. Their generosity in allowing me to share in their experiences has provided me with an amazing journey. From these experiences I have developed an unwavering faith that most healthy women can safely birth and nourish their babies naturally, without medical intervention. As the owner and midwife of Columbia Gorge Midwifery I look forward to continuing my path, providing personalized traditional midwifery care and homebirth services to women and their families in my community.

Columbia Gorge Midwifery
(541)490-3140
Mamascompanion@earthlink.net