Welcome! My name is Mercedes and I am a Licensed Midwife in the beautiful green state of Washington.
ABOUT
Formerly Purely Doula Care
The art of Midwifery called to me at nine years old. Growing up I was always interested in the medical field and became a medical assistant in 2009 and worked my way to labor and delivery. However, I finally took up the mission starting my Midwifery studies at Midwives College of Utah in 2014. I have served families as a doula since 2014, student midwife since 2016, and birth assistant since 2020. All within the Greater Seattle area and was also a doula for a small time in North Dakota. I have been honored to already have supported 300+ families in this time...and growing!
Everyone creates their own beautiful labor song.
It is my utmost pleasure to meet with families and help create a beautiful labor and birth experience. I am a very laid back, approachable, attentive and informative person. Informed choice is very important to me and I believe "knowledge is power." Birth to me is a normal and natural process and should be respected as such. I think there is nothing wrong with the quiet or loudness of birth. Everyone creates their own beautiful labor song.
Outside of the realm of birth, I LOVE to spend time with my family... visiting water, dancing, singing, sightseeing, road tripping, anything we can do together.
I can not fully express what it means to me to be a Midwife and support birthing people in the process of pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. This responsibility I hold very scared in my heart, because I know how life-shifting this experience can be. I have a beautiful full family with six children including one angel baby. I have experienced all types of birthing environments of homebirth, freestanding birth center, and hospital. I honor and value all birth settings and believe that ALL families should have a choice and information to make the best choice for them.
“It is always my goal to help create a space of comfort and freedom to labor.”
MISSION STATEMENT
Uphold a care structure that supports the birthing person and family in their aspirations of a safe, loving, and fearless pregnancy, birth and postpartum; to encourage the family dynamic in its healing and processing of the birth experience.
VISION STATEMENT
Promote the fullness of safety (emotionally, physically, and spiritually), while elevating the strength and power of the birthgiver.
VALUES
Open Communication
Accountability
Shared Decision Making
Support Informed Choice
Risk Assessment
Evidence Based Care
Continuity of Care
Community Fluidity
Equity & Inclusion
GOALS
1
Increase confidence in the Midwifery Model of Care.
2
Bring awareness to the BIPOC communities of Homebirth & Birth Center Birth.
3
Promote healthier pregnancies of BIPOC communities.
4
Decrease poor birth outcomes of BIPOC communities.
5
To be accessible to marginalized communities.
6
Support the growth of black midwives and attain more information on our birth traditions.
TESTIMONIALS
Mercedes is a skilled, responsible, and safe provider. She is attentive and meticulous in her care and her clinical abilities are unquestionable. But the soul of a midwife is more than just good clinical practice. The soul of a midwife is in how she loves you, how she advocates for you, and how she tirelessly gives you space and time. The reason I recommend her without hesitation is she will care for you with all her heart and will advocate for you beyond what you might ever expect. You and your family will be safe, loved, and have the most amazing experience you could ever imagine if you choose to be cared for by Mercedes.
Jennifer Linstad, MSM, LM, CPM (Local Midwife)
Her spirit and personality were (always are) just so sweet and genuine. She's the loveliest person to be around and she truly cares and loves others. I couldn't ask for anything more. This is Mercedes gift from GOD and I am so truly happy and overjoyed to have experienced her works as my Doula.
Aqueelah M.
IN-NETWORK INSURANCE PLANS
Amerigroup
Molina
United
Regence/BCBS
Premera
Coordinated Care
CHPW
First Choice Health
Kaiser
Have questions?
Please feel free to contact the billers at:
Island Billing
https://www.islandbillingseattle.com/
(360)-632-4435
ingrid@islandbillingservices.com
Accepting Cash Pay clients w/payment plans and potentially other insurances.
She is capable. I initially reached out to Mercedes about a month before my baby's birth date.I later found out that she works very closely with my midwifery team and they confirmed I was in good hands. Due to COVID19 restrictions and precautions, we first met online via video chat. She answered all of my questions thoughtfully and thoroughly. She tailored our care plan according to my needs, wishes and budget. The first time we met in person was when I went into labor and I felt comforted by her presence immediately.
When my labor started transitioning, things moved very quickly. We called the midwife back to the house but she did not make it in time, so Mercedes stepped in as my midwife. She coached me through the pushing phase and assisted my partner with receiving the baby. Little one wasn't breathing immediately after she arrived so Mercedes helped suction her airways. She helped me and the baby get warm and situated, then helped with cleanup, getting baby to latch, readying the placenta for encapsulation, and even took some photos!
She is knowledgeable. Mercedes is well-versed in birth styles, laboring methods and potential complications. She knows the ins and outs of both home and hospital births. I had a long labor through which she coached me on different positions and exercises to get the baby into the perfect position for delivery. Mercedes also has a plethora of tips and tricks for postpartum care ranging from baby wrapping to gas to sleeping schedules.
She is warm, gentle, strong and wise. Mercedes embodies the divine feminine and mother earth energies. Throughout the labor, birth and beyond, Mercedes has been kind, loving and genuine. She was also strong enough to lift my pregnant body and give me firm massages to help my circulation. Furthermore, she was wise enough to tell me to keep pushing when I thought I couldn't go any further and wanted to give up.
She will advocate for you. Mercedes will help guide you through your birth process by listening closely and sharing her expertise. She will be your advocate when you need her to communicate with doctors, family members or anyone else involved in your ideal birth story.
She is passionate. Mercedes LOVES births. She has known since a very young age that she wants to be a midwife and it shows. Whenever she talks about birth she glows.
It truly does take a village, and I highly recommend you choose Mercedes for your team.
Catherine P.
GET IN TOUCH
Thank you for visiting!
You can contact Mercedes by using the form below—or learn more about her here.