As midwives we are blessed to witness many powerful, intimate and beautiful moments. We hear birthing people talk to their babies with tenderness and fierce love in the depths of labor. We see them instinctively move their bodies to help their babies descend. We are present for tender acts of love and courage between couples when labor is long. We deliver babies in birth tubs and family beds, respecting what feels most natural and safe, and guide birthing people and their partners in catching their own babies if that is their vision. We cherish the incredible moment when a baby takes their first breath in his or her parent’s arms.

Angela Truby CPM, LDM, LM – Primary Midwife

she/her
On a memorable day in 2000 I gave birth to my daughter Willa Clare, pushing her out with great triumph, pain and joy into the waiting hands of my wonderful midwife Leslie. As is true for many women, my birth experience was a pinnacle moment in my life, marking the transition from maidenhood to motherhood. Held in the arms of my husband, Seth, immersed in warm water in the birth pool in my kitchen, I learned to trust in my body’s wisdom and find new depths of courage, strength and passion that would serve me well, not only as a mother, but also as a midwife years later. I embraced the new adventure of being a mama, while the seeds of midwifery quietly grew within me. As my daughter took her first steps and then became a busy toddler I attended my first births as a doula. I was instantly in love with the sweet energy and intimacy of supporting a woman through her labor, and my doula practice blossomed. I brought to each birth my deep trust in the wisdom of the body, a calming, compassionate and knowledgeable presence, and an array of comfort measures for labor support. I wanted women to feel empowered by their birth experience, to remember that momentous time with joy and pride; I wanted babies to enter the world as peacefully and gently as possible, surrounded by love. Home birth being a rarity in Ohio, almost all of my clients gave birth in the hospital. I began to appreciate more deeply the undisturbed freedom and sense of reverence I experienced giving birth at home with skilled home birth midwives who knew me and cared for my family. Home birth Portland midwife Angela TrubyWhen I finally embraced my calling to be a midwife, it was with excitement, hope and yes, trepidation! With the loving encouragement of my husband and community, we moved across the country to Portland, where I began midwifery training at Birthingway College of Midwifery in 2004. Two years later, while I was still in midwifery school, my second daughter, Iona Rose, was born into the hands of my husband and my midwife after several hours of intense labor. Willa Clare’s first words upon witnessing her sister’s birth were, “She’s just darling!”

Midwifery is one of the last professions that values the age-old model of learning through an apprenticeship. For me, this was the heart and soul of my education. I began my apprenticeship in 2007 at Alma Midwifery, a free-standing birth center in Portland, under the skillful guidance of founder and midwife, Laura Erickson CPM, LDM. In Alma’s busy practice I honed my clinical skills and cared for our clients from very early pregnancy until their final postpartum visit with a 6 week old baby in arms. By the time I completed my apprenticeship in 2009 I had attended over 100 births and worked with every midwife at Alma. In August of 2009 I earned my Bachelor of Science in Midwifery degree and passed the national exam to become a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM). After becoming a Licensed Midwife in Oregon, I was invited to work as an Alma Midwife for another 3 years.

Finally, in 2012 I founded Glow Midwifery, bringing my dream of having my own home birth practice to fruition! Over the past 10 years as Primary Midwife of Glow Midwifery I have served hundreds of families, and now have attended the births of more than 600 babies. In 2018 I became a Licensed Midwife in Washington so that I could expand our midwifery care to families across state lines. When I am not “catching babies,” as midwives like to say, I love spending time with my husband and two beautiful, spirited daughters. I also find great pleasure in making music, and love to sing in a range of musical styles, perform with the Christmas Revels cast, and play the clawhammer banjo.

“How do we ever thank you for the huge role you’ve played in our lives and your incredible support during this special time for our family? We are so grateful for your wisdom and care and warmth throughout the pregnancy. We are so lucky we found you.” – Sarah and Patrick

“Thank you for your warmth and fierce guidance – we needed exactly what you gave, which was so much.” – Cambria and Ben 

Education 
Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH – Bachelor of Arts in English and Women’s Studies
Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley, CA – Masters of Divinity
DONA Certified Doula Training
Birthingway College of Midwifery, Portland, OR – Bachelor of Science in Midwifery
Apprenticeship with Laura Erickson CPM, LDM (2007 – 2009)

Credentials and Affiliations
Certified Professional Midwife since 2009 through North American Registry of Midwives (NARM)
Licensed Midwife in Oregon and Washington
CPR/NRP certified
Member of the Oregon Midwifery Council since 2007
Midwife at Alma Midwifery Center (2009 – 2012)
Founded Glow Midwifery in February, 2012
Attended over 600 births as of 2021

Personal Birth Experience
Willa Clare was born at home in the water in 2000 after 12 hours of labor. Iona was born at home in the water on 2006 after 5 hours of labor. Angela has been married to Seth Truby since 1995.

 

Kari Riley CPM, LDM, LM – Primary Midwife

she/her
Home birth Portland Midwife KariIn 2007 I began my journey in birth work as a DONA (Doulas of North America) certified doula. From 2007-2014 I had 4 children of my own and supported women during 80+ births as a doula. Wanting to expand my skills, I became certified through ICEA (International Childbirth Education Association) as a Childbirth Educator. I taught classes both in people’s homes and in the hospital. In 2014 I enrolled in the Midwives College of Utah where I earned my degree in Midwifery. During my time of schooling and training I attended another 70+ births as a midwifery student.

I then had a steady practice in Central Oregon before settling into Portland, Oregon as my home. I have had the opportunity to work in home, hospital, and birth center settings under the supervision of many highly experienced and respectable Certified Professional Midwives and Certified Nurse Midwives in Oregon. I graduated from the Midwives College of Utah and have earned the credential of Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) through a national organization called the National Registry of Midwives (NARM). I am also a Licensed Direct-Entry Midwife (LDM) through the state of Oregon and a Licensed Midwife (LM) in Washington.  My home birth practice, Beautiful Births, is located in the St. John’s neighborhood in Portland. 

Primary Midwife Angela Truby of Glow Midwifery and I have joined our lives and work as “sister midwifery practices” to support each other in this beautiful vocation.  We step in for each other when additional skilled midwifery support is needed for our clients or when it’s time for a vacation or weekend off call to restore and be with our families.  

 

Whitney Wolfe CPM, LDM – Assistant Midwife

she/her
Home birth Portland Midwife WhitneyI was born and raised in Oregon and have spent most of my life here. Before finding Midwifery I worked as a Chef, Nanny, and Motorcycle Instructor. In 2013 I had a profound experience of empowerment from individualized holistic medical care and in that experience I found my calling for midwifery. I attended Birthingway College of Midwifery from 2013-2019 and have been attending births since 2017. In addition to assisting Glow Midwifery I am a primary midwife at my coastal based practice, Harbor Midwifery.

I believe that at its roots midwifery has a passion for bodily autonomy during a vulnerable, life-changing time. I focus on creating a space where you, the birthing parent, have the ultimate authority over your body, to set the stage for a lifetime of empowered parenting and bonding.

When I’m not catching babies I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, cooking, practicing herbal medicine, and helping families induce lactation. I love arts and crafts, playing the guitar, and creating stained glass pieces.

Credentials and Education:
Certified Professional Midwife through North American Registry of Midwives (NARM)
Licensed Midwife in Oregon
Certificate of Midwifery – Birthingway College of Midwifery, Midwifery Program 2014
Doula Training – Birthingway College of Midwifery, 2013
CPR/NRP certified

 

Monet Minnieweather – Student Midwife

Student midwifeshe/her
I knew from a very young age that I was called to become a midwife. I remember awakening from a dream when I was 16 years old in which I saw myself from above, delivering a baby. For the next few years I waited to embark on my midwifery journey, knowing it was not yet the right time in my life to pursue this amazing profession. I gained experience working as a Certified Nursing Assistant in local hospitals, completed Shafia Monroe’s Full Circle Doula Birth Companion Training, and became a certified Doula through DONA’s birth doula program. I opened my doula practice, Topaz Butterfly Birth Services and also participated in the Gateway Doula Program, which offers affordable doula services for birthing families. It is a dream come true to finally begin my midwifery training under the skilled hands of Angela Truby CPM, LDM at Glow Midwifery and as a student at the National College of Midwifery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Portland Midwives Glow Midwifery

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