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MEET THE MIDWIVES
Bellingham Birth Center was founded by Christine Gibbs and Catriona Munro in 2004. Licensed Midwives Catriona Munro and Eloisa Cary of Gentle Hands Midwifery have their offices in the Bellingham Birth Center. Licensed Midwives Ann Tive, Winni McNamara, and Kimberly Bauer also have privileges at Bellingham Birth Center and deliver babies at the birth center. To schedule a consultation with a particular midwife, call the phone number listed next to her name.
While individual midwives' practices sometimes fill up for certain months,
the birth center itself is rarely full. If you find that the midwife you have initially contacted is full during the month you are due, please do not hesitate to call other midwives on the list below to see if they have space for you.
Gentle Hands Midwifery
 
Catriona Munro, LM, CPM, LMP 
Gentle Hands Midwifery
2430 Cornwall Ave.
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 752-2229
www.ghmidwifery.com
My passion for birth began in 1994. When I was in massage
school, a good friend invited me to attend her birth and massage
her during labor. That day I learned what a life-altering
event birth can be: often more challenging and rewarding than
any other single life experience. I knew then that I wanted
to play a part in helping women and their families achieve
their unique goals for their births.
After opening a massage therapy business in 1995, I continued
to work part time while I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in women's
studies and health sciences at Western Washington University.
Shortly after graduation, I enrolled in the Seattle Midwifery
School, an intensive, three-year program of study that included
comprehensive medical courses, training in healthcare skills,
and hands-on experiences in the art and science of midwifery.
I opened my practice
in Bellingham in 2002 and have been happily practicing
ever since. In my work as a midwife, I so enjoy seeking the balance between providing support to my client in labor, allowing the family privacy and ensuring the wellbeing of the mother and baby.
When not on call, I enjoy spending time with my family, sailing, bicycling,
hiking, and escaping to Lummi Island.
 Eloisa Cary, LM, CPM
Gentle Hands Midwifery
2430 Cornwall Ave.
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 752-2229
www.ghmidwifery.com
In my role as a midwife, I am honored to uphold the beauty and intimacy of
birth, while being an unobtrusive guardian of safety for the mother and
baby. I believe deeply in the normalcy of birth and employ an appropriate
use of technology and medicine in the preservation of my clients’
wellbeing. Birth is a crucial moment in a woman’s life and it holds the
potential for great amounts of growth and joy.
In my midwifery practice, I am able to draw on my background, which is a
blend of science and somatics. I have a Bachelor of Science in neuroscience from Smith
College, and have studied and taught ballroom dance, karate, naturopathy,
and yoga.
My interest in midwifery arose during the birth of my first child. The
experience of giving birth at home completely transformed my life. I
realized on a personal level that the setting in which a birth takes place
predicts many features of the birth, and I got to experience first hand
all the positive outcomes that resulted from the decision to have a home
birth. I was left with the question, “Who wouldn’t want to bring that
sense of transformation to women and their families?” I answered that
question by becoming a licensed midwife.
Soon after my daughter’s birth, I started completing my prerequisites and
went on to attend Seattle Midwifery School, doing internships with several
different midwifery practices in Washington State. I live in Bellingham
with my husband and children.
Ann Tive, LM
Birthroot Midwifery Service
2429 Elm Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 734-2182
I was born in 1962, number two out of a set of triplets. My
family valued education and lively debate. From my parents
I learned the importance of having passion for one's work.
In college, I studied philosophy, science and languages. After
college I knew I wanted to combine my critical thinking and
problem solving skills with more intuitive ways of knowing
and nurturing. Like many midwives, I heard the call of midwifery
the very first time I attended a birth. In 1984, I was present
at the homebirth of my sisterâs first child in rural New Mexico.
In 1987, I enrolled in the Seattle Midwifery School. After
completing midwifery training with internships in St. Lucia
and Seattle, in 1990, I moved to Bellingham and began my practice,
Birthroot Midwifery Service. I have been a clinical preceptor
for many midwifery students over the years. I have been active
in the Midwives Association of Washington State, and have
served on the WA State Midwifery Advisory Committee.
My husband, Tim, daughter Olivia and I live in Bellingham
where we enjoy hiking, gardening, reading, knitting, cinema
and other family activities. My son Bless, is an artist
currently living in New York City
Bellingham Birth Center is a wonderful addition to birthing
options available in our community and I enjoy
providing midwifery care for women who choose to birth there.
Winni McNamara, LM, ARNP
1903 D Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
827 South Burlington Boulevard
Burlington, WA 98025
(360) 766-6686
Shortly after completing a Bachelor of Science degree in 1973,
I heard the word midwife and knew that this was my path. I
completed my midwifery studies at the University of New Mexico
School of Medicine in 1976, followed by an intensive internship
in Kentucky, working with low-income patients at a government
funded clinic.
I have been working in Skagit and Whatcom counties since 1980.
In June of 2004, I graduated from the Hahnemann College of
Homeopathy. I am also a nurse practitioner and do Well Woman
Gynecology care.
I specialize in out of hospital deliveries. I believe that
birth is a pivotal life event for both the mother and the
baby, and that the care and company of the midwife must support
the mother during her pregnancy and birth. It is the goal
of the midwifery practice to care for the mother and protect
the natural process of birth.
I have been married since 1973. My husband, Paul, is a Chiropractor.
I have one son who was born in 1979. I love the outdoors and
spend a lot of my free time hiking and gardening.
 Kimberley Bauer, ND, LM
London Health Center, Inc.
2376 Main Street, Suite 3
Ferndale, WA 98248
(360) 384-2900
Kimberley came to the Pacific Northwest to attend Bastyr University in 2000, and has happily called the beautiful Northwest home ever since. As a Naturopathic Physician and Midwife, Kim specializes in natural health care for the whole family, for she loves working with patients of all ages, from infanthood to elderhood, and feels honored to be able to assist childbearing women. Kim often says if she lived a century ago, she would have been a country doctor, traveling by horse drawn carriage from home to home. Modern times being what they are, she now drives to her patients homes for births instead, but they will still find the same open, kind, and compassionate bedside manner of old. Kim is well-known for her clear explanations of treatments and her ability to meet each woman where they are at during the life changing time of the childbearing year. Outside of delivering babies and doctoring, Kim enjoys hiking, gardening, baking, and teaching about medicinal plants, both locally and at Bastyr University in Seattle where she graduated from in 2005.
Kim is a member of the following professional organizations: AANP (American Assn of Naturopathic Physicians), WANP (WA Assn of Naturopathic Physicians), AANM (American Assn of Naturopathic Midwives), MANA (Midwives Association of North America), MAWS (Midwives Assn of WA State), and AHG (American Herbalists Guild).
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