ABOUT
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.
Now I have been Midwifing for 3 years, loving on over 100 + families, and providing support to families has been all I have dreamed and sooo much more!
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, outside, 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.”
SBM Community
Hello! I’ve been a licensed midwife in Washington State for 10 years, supporting lots of families, catching lots of babies, and partnering with lots of students. I’m really excited you are exploring this option for your care!
I believe in your power, your autonomy and your fervent desire to have a healthy, respectful birth. I practice with the deep trust that when parents are given unbiased information that they will choose exactly what is right for their family, and so informed, shared decision-making is a cornerstone of the care you will receive with me. I am humble and grateful for every family that entrusts me with their pregnancy experience.
I spent 25 years in the arts before I had my first kiddo in 2005 and everything changed. When I attended my first homebirth in 2006 my path was clear and I became a doula. I realized quite quickly that I wanted to be a midwife. Outside of being a midwife, I am the parent of two really weird and amazing kids. The three of us live with our 2 cats and a fluctuating population of foster kittens. We are an LGBTQ+ family, and my eldest child is Trans, teaching me daily new things about all of our gender journey! Also, parenting teens is a trip, y’all, but at least the cats don’t roll their eyes at me.
As a white woman in spaces with many people from different experiences, I acknowledge that my anti-racism work is lifelong and requires constant vigilance. It requires openness to correction and listening to the ways people experience this world without the protections of white supremacy. As a white midwife, I know I have been part of systems of oppression. I am committed to continuing to identify these systems and changing them when I can. In addition to my internal work, as a commitment to recompense, I will be donating $100 every single month to support the BIPOC community and the goal of safe births of chunky, full-term babies, for the rest of my career.
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Ariana Perkins, Occasional Additional Birth Support, Student Midwife
I’ve had an interest in birth since I was 17, though I never grew up with younger siblings, cousins or friends who had children, so I wasn’t exposed to birth until 2021. I was able to support my best friend during the birth of her son, my godson, though it was a difficult hospital birth. I didn’t have the knowledge or understanding of the labor process so I felt I couldn’t advocate for my friend very well. I already had a background in Psychology but this experience pushed me to resume my studies, so I could gain the knowledge I needed to help birthing people in the same position.
I’m extremely passionate about being able to serve my community in Tacoma, providing care to pregnant individuals who are often mistreated. This first year of Midwifery School has given me the foundational skills I need to better support laboring people. But I’m excited to expand my skills with the amazing individuals at Something Beautiful Midwifery.
In my limited free time I enjoy traveling the world, painting, adding to my oddities collection (of butterflies and taxidermy), spending quality time with my family and playing with my dog-son Drako.
Yael Woods, Primary Student Midwife
Postpartum Doula Services
Greetings! My name is Yael Woods (prn. Ya-el) I am a second year midwifery student at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College. I relocated to WA from Houston, TX with my 17 year old son, Evan in February and have been a student midwife with Jenn Linstad of Womb to Room Midwifery learning and growing in my midwifery journey. I am also a certified Full Spectrum Doula specializing in Fertility, Birth, Postpartum and Bereavement for the last 6 years and running my own business Purple Lotus Fertility & Birth Services supporting many moms, babies and families. I am thrilled to be studying the art of midwifery with Mercedes for the next year.I've been deeply passionate about birth since watching my first episode of TLC's "A Baby Story" back in the 90's and have known that I always wanted to be apart of the birthworld, but it wasn't until I had my own experience with infertility and complex pregnancies that I knew I had discovered my purpose and my goal was to support as many women as I could through the process of pregnancy and birth. I became a full spectrum doula and holistic reproductive practitioner in 2019 and as I continued that journey, I realized that physically and emotionally supporting women wasn't going to be enough. I wanted to be part of the change in reducing the maternal and infant mortality rate for black, brown and indigenous women, so I began researching ways that I could advocate for women who looked like me. Being able to serve my community and provide a voice for those that are often not seen, heard or valued became the cornerstone of the work that I do. With each client I served, the pull to do more grew stronger and stronger and I realized it was time to answer the call and follow my heart's desire to become a midwife. Providing compassionate, heart centered, holistic care for women through all facets of the reproductive journey is what lights my soul on fire and why I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to be a part of your birth story. As we get to know one another you will likely learn that purple is my favorite color, I am a die hard Prince fan and that I love all kinds of music and writing. In my spare time I love to go to concerts, broadway shows, the beach and anywhere I can immerse myself in nature.
Hello! I’m Jae and I will be the first person you speak to when setting up your Consultation and the first person you see when you begin your care with us. I am an individual who has had a remarkable journey and a deep passion for my work.
With administrative responsibilities spanning 35 years, I have experienced the joys and challenges of nurturing a long-lasting partnership while navigating the intricacies with love and dedication. Having been introduced to the birthing world, I can truly say I have found my calling.
I have discovered a profound fulfillment in supporting expectant parents on their transformative journey.
My love for our clients shine through every interaction and I take immense pride in being part of a team that fosters a caring and compassionate environment. My commitment to respecting and honoring the experience of our clients is a testament to our unwavering empathy and professionalism.
Jae Morgan, Office Manager
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.
IN-NETWORK INSURANCE PLANS
Amerigroup
Molina
Cigna
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.
GET IN TOUCH
Thank you for visiting!
You can contact Mercedes by using the form below—or learn more about her here.
Or call our scheduling line at: 971-279-8665.