Midwives in Fort Wayne, IN

Christa Miller?

You can also check my services. There is a link to my website through my page. Feel free to message me. https://www.facebook.com/1598904277075492 Lora Schnurr - Doula Services

I cannot recommend Kirsten ( https://www.facebook.com/168367719906722 Sacred Lane Birth Services) enough to other expectant mamas. She was such an incredible support system for me during my last labor. She brought so much joy, laughter, and love to our birthing environment and knew exactly what I needed, when I needed it. She will be with us again soon as we welcome baby #4 in August. Can't imagine not having her there. She is like a ray of sunshine ❤️

There are so many incredible midwives practicing in our area, but I personally use Stephanie VanderHorst with Auburn OBGYN. I have had many deliveries (as a birth photographer) with the other midwives in the practice, Michelle and Kori. They are incredibly skilled midwives, who love what they do. They are passionate about each and every mama & baby that walk through their doors. I cannot recommend their practice enough. They deliver at https://www.facebook.com/118942668152102 Auburn Birthing Center and Dekalb Health.

I had 2 water births at Dekalb Hospital with midwives Kori Engdahl and Michelle Michelle Hileman. I can't recommend Auburn enough. I wanted to be in a hospital, and it was such a relaxed, knowledgeable environment. Making that switch was one of the best decisions I made. And I love doula Kristin Rahn so, so much.

I used Dr stroud as well. Highly recommend his practice as well as Kristin Rahn as a doula.

For water birth in the hospital, she'll need to go to Dekalb hospital in Auburn. Auburn OBGyn there has great CNMs!

Love love love Shelly Gilliland!! I hadn't met her until I was getting induced and not only was she supportive to me but she made me feel so comfortable even though we had just met! I highly recommended her! She's also worked with Dr. Stroud when I had my son and even before that

One of the RNs with my practice also attends hospital births as a doula and teaches natural childbirth workshops. Amber Chapel Hagen RN is so knowledgeable and calm.

Rhoda Baughman is the best!!

Rhoda Baughman is my midwife. She's awesome! Highly recommend her! (Agape Birth Services)

I had both of my kiddos at Auburn Birthing Center with the Midwives at Auburn OBGYN. Stephanie VanderHorst is who I see for all my care and she delivered my first. My second decided to wait until she was on vacation. So Michelle and Kori both were there for different parts during his labor and delivery. They are all wonderful and really care about you as a person not just a patient.

Amber Drake is an awesome doula

I used Amber Drake as well and had a wonderful experience!

I'm a doula and placenta encapsulator! www.sacredlanebirth.com www.sacredlaneplacenta.com Facebook.com/sacredlanebirth

I'm also a doula. https://www.facebook.com/492550294189344 Breaking Birth Barriers ❤️

Agape Birth Services! Rhoda is amazing!

Can't speak highly enough of Rhoda with Agape Birth Services and the relationship our local midwives have with Dr. Stroud. I got to learn how unique it really is when I went through a doula workshop in Ohio, where that kind of collaboration just doesn't exist. The continuity of care they are able to provide, whatever needs may arise, is beautiful.

Parkview Physicians Group had a midwifery group with 4 CNMs. KellyandChris Horn Allison Farr Thorpe Nicole and Gayle. They don't do home births but if you decide to go a different way, this is a great group.

Michelle Hileman Stephanie VanderHorst Kori Engdahl are the not in Fort Wayne but are close in Auburn. They don't do home births but do have a birth center. They are the other CNMs in the area. From what I see in the comment thread, I think everyone is listed.

https://www.facebook.com/405551442812783 Earthen Vessels Nurse-Midwifery LLC is the other home birth practice in the area. I have no personal experience with either one but have heard great things about both.

Hi Amy, welcome to Indiana! You'll find this to be a very open area for home birthing. I am glad that you are looking at your options now. I too did my research and am due any day, any hour now - having my home birth with the business name (already listed) Earthen Vessels Nurse-Midwifery, and the midwife is named Janis Chrissikos CNM. This being my first home birth experience I am choosing to add a doula to help. If you consider that route, there is a Doula Network locally, where you can meet many at once in a single setting. Another great thing to share is a local small baby store called Grassroots Baby will offer classes thru the month with local Le Leche, local doulas, and their own cloth diapering class (freely offered to public).

Hello Amy! I've been serving the Fort Wayne and surrounding area since 2004. Welcome to Fort Wayne! http://agapebirthservices.com/

I've chosen https://www.facebook.com/405551442812783 Earthen Vessels Nurse-Midwifery LLC for babies #2,#3 and #4 - all born at home. I can't recommend Janis highly enough. I love how she involves my children in appointments (they are the most adorable "helpers") and her support and care through each of my pregnancies, births and postpartums has been invaluable. As mentioned above there are a lot of options in the area for every kind of birth so I recommend to check them out and see what is the best fit for you and your family.

I would also recommend Earthen Vessels!! I am a nurse on an L&D unit and I have worked with Janis in the hospital after a home birth that ended up needing to be a hospital birth. I think she makes very smart choices and is good at what she does. I am not big on home birth myself, but I would definitely recommend her if you were to have a home birth.

I think you'll find that you've moved to a great area for birth options! I have also had Janis Chrissikos Cnm for 5 of my 6 babies, and I wouldn't want to give birth without her! She is extremely knowledgeable and supportive.

Hannah Ruth Elizabeth Slater!!!!

Dr. Stroud at Fertility and Midwifery Clinic is the best known in the holistic community as far as ob's. And we personally see Dr Veerula on the southwest side as a pediatrician. Birth Matters would be a good place to utilize as well.

For a family doctor check out http://credofamilymedicine.com. Ive heard that he is very flexible with vaxing and is definitely big family friendly.

Janis Chrissikos Cnm is a fantastic home birth midwife who has a large family of her own. I have 6 kids & I would say it's pretty commonplace especially if you home educate. Lots of big families! There is a large doula network and you can find them here on Facebook. Search for Doula Network of Ft Wayne and it should pop up. I see Dr Holly who believes vaccines are a parental choice. He isn't a pediatrician, but a family doctor who also happens to have a large family.

Extremely family friendly city!! "Big Small City" Love Dr. Stroud, Dr. Sarah Schlie, Auburn Birthing Center and Doula Network. LOTS of family events all year round, lots of homeschooling networks, last winter was amazing! The 2 prior were snow-mageddon. Never know.... Price of living is amazing!!

Dr. Stroud!

I have 8 children and have lots of friends with 6+. I'm a homebirth Certified Nurse-Midwife. Www.earthenvesselsnurse-midwifery.com We moved to FW in 2006 and love it. Very family friendly, affordable, big homeschool network, lots of doulas, plenty to do with kids. We see Dr Rexroth in Auburn if needed. He has 8 kids and they homeschool. Dr Chase in his practice has 10 kids and homeschools. We also like Dr Mullally in FW. He has a growing young family and was homeschooled himself. Indiana is a really easy state for homeschooling.

Hi! We have a doula network that is a wonderful resource. http://www.doulanetworkfortwayne.com/

The midwives at Auburn OBGYN are wonderful! They practice a little north of Fort Wayne and have a stand alone birth center as well as Dekalb hospital. I also love Dr. Rexroth in Auburn at Dekalb. He's a family doctor not a pediatrician but he's super relaxed about vaccinations. At my son's first appointment he asked what we planned to do about vaccines and that's the only time it's ever come up! I know a family with eight kids who goes to him and loves him too.

Andrea Yoder. She is only hospital though.

I love Barbara Parker. <3

Janis Chrissikos Cnm with https://www.facebook.com/405551442812783 Earthen Vessels Nurse-Midwifery LLC. She has been there for 4 of my 5 births. Only the best and most educated and experienced care from Janis.

Rhoda Baughman is awesome. She and her assistants made me feel so comfortable and worry free. She is such a strong and compassionate woman- the perfect midwife. I had my first home VBAC with her this past May, and they were just awesome. I had a long pushing session (4 hours or so) and through the whole thing they were just what I needed. Encouraging, but gave space where needed. Taught me how to push that baby out! Anyways, wonderful service through Agape Birth Services.

Kori Engdahl is amazing. She was my midwife for my last birth, and I’ve been a doula at two other births with her. Just love her.

Rhoda Baughman with Agape Birth Services is amazing! I had baby #2 and #3 with her and if there is a #4 I would love to do it with her again!

I used Rhoda Baughman for my home birth. She’s very knowledgeable and a wonderfully caring person. I would recommend her to anyone looking for a home birth midwife.

I've had 2 home births with Rhoda! ❤ https://www.facebook.com/138635836169545 Agape Birth Services LLC

Rhoda Baughman! I've had her for my last two births and another here in April

Janis Chrissikos Cnm is one of the greatest people on the planet. You couldn't be in better hands.

I used Barbara Parker for my daughter's home birth and couldn't have been happier with the experience!

http://www.birthmatters.com/

I am planning to deliver at the Auburn Birthing Center with Stephanie VanderHorst from Auburn OBGYN. I believe this is the closest birthing center to the Fort Wayne area. There are 3 midwives who attend births there, all from Auburn OBGYN. There's Stephanie, Michelle Hileman, and Britte Nihart. As far as I know, they are all accepting new patients. She can reach them at 927-0035. The Auburn Birthing Center also has a facebook page.

I see Britte Nihart from Auburn OBGYN! She is awesome. Sweet, smart, very hands off... love her. All the women in that office are amazing.

this is making me excited for our newest arrival to be birthed at Auburn Birthing Center. can't wait ~4 more weeks!

I havent familiarized myself with Indiana laws re: homebirth. Are CNM's the only midwives allowed to assist in homebirths? I came from a pro midwifery state so to speak so the laws of other states baffle me a bit.

http://indianamidwiferytaskforce.org/

Janis Chrissikos is the best. I could tell you how awesome she is, but there seriously isn't enough space. She made me feel comfortable, safe, and confident from the moment I met her. I wouldn't want anyone else!

Janis is the only CNM who does homebirths in the area... (don't know if that matters to you)... This is her website: http://www.earthenvesselsnurse-midwifery.com/

Phil, I can tell you with certainty that no midwife attends births at St Joe or Lutheran. Also, Julie only attends births at PVN and PV Main. THere is a midwife who does the vaginal births for a perinatologist that occur Mon-Fri during office hours who was attending at Dupont, but she does not guarantee a midwifery client that she will come in for their birth if they birth outside of office hours. Many insurance companies will pay for a homebirth CNM because it's just a provider fee, no facility fee. I have attended at ABC before and had the opportunity to train with Stephanie and Michelle this year. You have made an excellent choice with them.

PVN is the hospital for VBACs but they don't do them after 2 c-sections. Since you have already had 2 VBACs, however, it might be diffferent for you. Julie Stackhouse is a CNM who does VBA2C out of hospital and also attends births at PVN and PV Main. Finding an OB who is truly supportive is more challenging. Not a problem finding a homebirth provider.

I *think* Julie Stackhouse only attends births at Parkview North. Candice Campbell will know for sure. Unfortunately, she's the only hospital-attending midwife in Fort Wayne, for all intents and purposes. There is a great midwife team at Auburn OB/GYN who attend births both at Dekalb Memorial and the independent Auburn Birthing Center, but that probably doesn't help you on the insurance front.

If insurance is an issue, I was able to deliver at home and insurance covered (realize I was lucky, we have Anthem BC/BS) with Laura Marie Gilbert as our midwife. Don't think she's doing them out this way anymore, and not sure when Janis Chrissikos will be, but food for thought.

Candice - Thanks for the answer. I am switching jobs this weekend, so my insurance is switching from BC/BS to the insurance that Lutheran Health Network has, this means if I don't want to pay a large co-payment for the birth I have to do the birth at one of the LHN hospitals (Lutheran, Dupont, St. Joe, etc). My wife Lauren really likes the idea of a midwife and since this is our first I wanted to do it at some facility. The ABC will be our choice unless we can find someone who we trust who will birth at an LHN facility.

I think the large copay will be worth it, personally. If you still need to go to a LHN hospital with an OB, you may consider hiring a doula. There are quite a few in Fort Wayne... www.fortwaynedoula.com

I have helped a few moms start labor with an acupressure session--my web site is: www.midwestacupressure.com or message me on here

Love Kori Engdahl at Auburn OB/GYN.

Barbara Parker Cpm has caught three of my four. She's amazing.

I see Stephanie Vanderhorst(midwife) in Auburn. BUT any of them up there are wonderful!

Alison you can birth at DeKalb Hospital or at the Auburn Birthing Center with any of the Auburn midwives. As far as any other midwives in the area, I'm not sure where they offer their birthing places.

The Fertility and Midwifery Care Center on Dupont is awesome. Janice is very calming and caring. <3 her!

Rhoda Baughman!

Stephanie VanderHorst is amazing!!:)

Stephanie VanderHorst with auburn birthing center/ auburn ob/gyn

If you're looking for a home birth midwife, then Rhoda Baughman with Agape Birth Services. Cant't speak high enough praises for her and her care.

Kori Engdahl is amazing <3

All of the midwives at Auburn OBGYN are amazing.

Janis Chrissikos, homebirth CNM!!!!:) She is incredibly dedicated to taking care of her clients- compassionate and very thorough! I truly believe you won't find another midwife who educates families as well as she does!

The home birth CNMs in northern Indiana all have privileges at New Eden Care Center if that helps.

There are only two of us who serve the Allen county area - Julie Stackhouse and me. All of the others are more northcentral and don't come as far as FW.

The Auburn hospital now does water births if you can't go the birth center route

Julie Stackhouse (midwife) delivered our son at Parkview north with Kristin Rahn as our doula. We had an awesome experience.

I had a home birth with Janis Chrissikos last July and can't even begin to tell you how amazing she is. She made the entire experience so wonderful for me. I couldn't have asked for a better person to take care of me and help me bring my son into this world.

I recommend Alecia Bragg Miller. she's kind, compassionate, and a well of knowledge. She played such an important role in getting me the natural birth that I wanted, but held no judgment with my medical decisions if I had decided to pursue medication. Basically I adore her and would use her again.

I recommend Alecia Bragg Miller as well. She was my Doula for my second and she'll be my Doula for this baby due in the next 6 weeks as well. She was very supportive of every decision I made and also helped me stay strong throughout. She massaged my back, helped me in and out of bed, on to the birthing ball, even held the fetal monitor on my belly during contractions so I wouldn't have to get an internal monitor. She was great support and I would definitely recommend her to anyone who asks.

I used Kristin Rahn twice and love the crap out of her. She's supportive and calm while not taking over. She also helps your partner help you which is amazing. Alecia Bragg Miller is one of my best friends and although I didn't use her for my labors, I would trust her completely to be my doula. She's awesome

Love Dr Kennedy she is amazing

I was skiddish because Bhat delivered my 2 other babies. You totally eased my mind with Dr. Kennedy for number 3. And I couldn't be more thrillled.

I love Dr. K and her girls. I definitely miss working for her! She's the best!

She just did sabrinas tubes Monday.... Kennedy is an awesome Dr. Congrats on the safe surgery

I really like Dr. Otto. She is pro-vaccination but also respects the parents decision. Otherwise she seems to try and avoid medicine (specifically antibiotics) unless it's needed, which I really appreciate.

It seems, from what I've heard, many of the more laid-back doctors, who put up with alternative health practices, are in outlying areas like auburn & Garrett. Many people see Rexroth & Chase. We also had Dr Ringell, from Garrett, speak at one of our meetings several years ago. He's very flexible as far as vaccinations go and I was impressed with the way he actually recommends some natural remedies like colloidal silver instead of antibiotics. Some ft Wayne docs require patients to be up to date on vaccinations. Some are more flexible. Good luck in your search! Don't be afraid to ask questions and express your opinion!:)

I've done a family doc for both children, however two separate ones. So I can tell you who I HATE (our first) and who I love..Dr. Rexroth. Dr. Rexroth lets me call the shots, he respects our birth and vaccine choices, he doesnt go overboard with visits. Now, when our first two visits with him (one was for our initial interview pre-baby, and the second was her 3 day check--we left the hospital hours after birth so he asked we come in sooner than a week) I was a bit put off because he seemed rushed and didnt spend a lot of time with us. However, I knew what I was doing so it wasnt a huge deal. Now! Since then we have had two times of seeing him for a serious problem (once baby had a broken leg and more recently a possible staph infection) and I was nearly in tears over his kindness, compassion and concern. So I think he can be Mr. Rushy Pants but when it counts, he was above and beyond wonderful.

I had all three of my babies at DeKalb Health with Stephanie as my midwife. One was a waterbirth! Michelle Hileman and Kori Engdahl are the other midwives in the same practice as Stephanie in Auburn. they are all amazing. The ABC is a beautiful birth center. Also, I'm an OB nurse at DeKalb so i can honestly tell you these midwives are kind and passionate about their patients.

I've had 3 babies at ABC and two were waterbirths. I can't imagine having a baby anywhere else. Michelle Hileman is amazing! The personal care and support you get from the midwives is unlike anything I could describe. I did have insurance but two times it was out of network. But my husband and I said we would rather pay more and be at the center where we are comfortable and get amazing care than in network but stressed and nervous bc of the the venue.

Dr. Stroud's office keeps a network of providers they share the same values with. Perhaps asking their office may be beneficial?

She took the job I left at Women's Reproductive Medicine in SB. Commuted then too. She's put in a lot of miles to do what she loves!

Claudia Montalvo Estupiñan - I sent you a message. Lovely thing about childbirth isn't it? - you end up discussing your granny panty size on social media!

The Auburn Birth Center and the midwives who practice there are fantastic.