Today we’d like to introduce you to Christine Taylor, Certified Nurse Midwife.
Hi Christine, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Christine Taylor, Certified Nurse Midwife and Chicago native. At a young age, I knew my career would involve caring for expectant mothers and babies. I have always had an innate passion for caring for expectant mothers and babies! In 2005, I obtained my Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing and after five years of labor and delivery nursing, I became motivated to pursue a Master’s in Science and Midwifery degree. I began my career as a midwife serving South Side communities in Chicago. In 2014, I relocated to Atlanta to join a natural, hospital based midwifery service.
I have worked in a variety of settings including inner-city and rural hospital facilities and out of hospital settings, all of which have equipped me with the necessary knowledge and skills required to provide safe, supportive and intuitive midwifery care and home birth services. In 2015, I started my own home birth practice-Birth by Grace Midwifery Services, LLC, undoubtedly, the best decision I could have ever made as it pertains to my career. I believe that pregnancy and birth are the most beautiful moments a woman can experience in her lifetime, and I’m blessed to be the chosen midwife for the families who have invited me along for their childbirth journeys.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Life as a self-employed midwife, especially in the home birth setting, is not always smooth. The topic of home birth among the medical establishment remains an option that is shunned and unaccepted. As a birth advocate who respects mother’s decisions to birth their way, I am often met with opposing viewpoints from physicians and medical professionals who have made a personal determination that midwifery and home birth care is not careful, safe or comprehensive. It is absolutely the opposite. Families who choose home birth are well informed and make decisions based on valid information and research. The lack of support from the “powers that be” and systems that are not accommodating to home birthing mothers and midwives complicate processes when medical concerns arise and the need for transfer of care is necessary.
We’ve been impressed with Birth by Grace Midwifery Services, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Birth by Grace offers comprehensive midwifery care and home birth services to low risk mothers in metro Atlanta and rural GA. We follow the midwifery model of care, which is focused on providing women’s centered health care with a holistic approach, providing information and respecting a woman’s right to make choices. At Birth by Grace, pregnancy and birth are treated as normal processes and not diseases, while still following guidelines and keeping a watchful eye on maternal and fetal health statuses. Mothers can expect the use of alternative/herbal therapies and minimal intervention as during pregnancy and childbirth.
Mothers can expect a FUN journey with BBG, as we are all about enjoying the experience! For those who would like insight into midwifery care in the home birth setting, check out our YouTube series “Birth Ever After”! Mothers who receive care with BBG are given more power and accountability. They feel more involved, in control and very much a member of their own birth team. This builds a trusting client-provider partnership, which yields more positive birth experiences, regardless of whether birth setting (home or hospital). Birth by Grace clients have great outcomes including a higher rate of vaginal births and higher breastfeeding rates at 1 year postpartum. I am excited that Birth by Grace is shifting the culture of birth, one mama at a time. More mothers are becoming informed about their birth options and are learning that they do NOT have to settle for care that does not align with their own philosophy. The research is clear, midwifery care is beneficial to mothers and results in better outcomes for women and babies.
What matters most to you? Why?
Healthy mamas, healthy babies and thriving families matters to me. Improving the experience of black birthing women, decreasing the maternal mortality rate, and increasing access to midwifery care and birth options matters most to me and is the goal I will continue to fight for through my midwifery journey.
Contact Info:
- Email: admin@birthbygracemidwifery.com
- Website: www.birthbygracemidwifery.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/birthbygrace
- Facebook: facebook.com/birthbygracemidwifery
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BirthbyGraceMidwifeChristine
Image Credits
Pena Rose Studios
