Tinneca: Assistant March 2013 - July 2017
Tinneca attends births as an assistant when a specific request is made.
"I started my journey into womens' health over 10 years ago with the birth of my first son. This personal experience opened my eyes to a vision of healthcare that involved not only the medical aspects of care, but the need for communication, love and respect for each individual woman and her family. I began teaching and supporting women in 2004 and have had the honor to assist in the births of nearly 400 babies. I have worked with clients both in and out of the hospital as a childbirth educator, doula, monitrice and am a Licensed & Certified Professional Midwife. The love of my life and I share the responsibility of raising 5 great kids and a mini farm in Sumner. We also run the Timbercreek Farm & Forest School." -Tinneca
Kastle: Student/Assistant December 2013 - September 2014
"I grew up in a very holistic home and always knew that if I were to have children I would want to have them at home with a midwife. Three years ago I started studying at the Midwives College of Utah so that I could help other women with that same dream. Being from the Pacific Northwest I love playing outside, especially skiing and soccer. For a nice relaxing time I like to cuddle up with my husband, kitties, and a good book. I look forward to sharing this beautiful time with you." -Kastle
Kate R: Student/Assistant September 2014 - November 2015
"Born and raised in the south Puget Sound, I am a Northwest girl to the core. As a teen I developed a real interest in women's health and alternative medicine, and it didn't take me long to discover a love of birth. Shortly after finishing high school I trained as a doula, soon learning that midwifery was truly my passion in the birth room. So, in 2012, I left my native Washington for small town Maine to attend Birthwise Midwifery School. Now I am happy to have returned home to continue to my studies with Foothills Midwifery. When I am not buried in my books studying, I can be found outside kayaking, hiking the woods and gardening, or just enjoying food with friends and family." -Kate
Brittany F: Student/Assistant
June 2015 - November 2016
“My journey into birth work began in 2011 when I looked down at my own positive pregnancy test. Nervous, excited, and full of enthusiasm I began to do some serious research and decided that an out of hospital birth would be just right for me. In October of 2012 I began to work as a doula and have enjoyed it immensely, but the desire to serve and empower women in a way that would help them find inner strength drove me to begin formal midwifery education at the Midwives College of Utah. In my spare time I’m with with my loving husband, at playdates with my two kiddos, or singing and making music with friends. I consider it an incredible privilege to be able to serve the Foothills Midwifery families and am eager to learn!" -Brittany
Deardra: Student/Assistant
January 2016 - March 2016
"I have been passionate about birth since I was a young girl. I believe childbirth is the most transformative moment in a woman's life. I have been a doula for four years and recently relocated to Bonney Lake after working with women in Tonasket, Washington. I am a proud mother of a 3-year-old boy, John. John was born at home with a midwife. In my spare time, I enjoy nature walks and reading books." -Deardra
Melissa M: Student/Assistant November 2016 - November 2017
"I have been captivated by pregnancy and birth since I was a young girl. After many years of working on prerequisites for a nursing degree for the certified nurse-midwife path, I discovered that I was really called to OOH birth and enrolled in the midwifery program at Midwives College of Utah. I love to be with my husband and children in my free time. I also love crafting all sorts of things and cooking. When I'm not in school anymore I'll also enjoy reading non-midwifery related books again."
Heather B: Student/Assistant November 2017 - June 2018
The magic of midwifery captured my heart over a decade ago while I was pregnant with my first child. realized shortly after his birth that I wanted to become a midwife myself, to do the work of holding space for others on the transformative journey to parenthood. My path as a student midwife took my family to the mountains of Tennessee where I undertook my first apprenticeship. In 2015 I began the coursework at Birthwise Midwifery School in Maine. The following Spring, I began apprenticing with a midwife near my home in Maryland. My entire family is delighted with the opportunity to discover the wonders of the Pacific Northwest, and I look forward to working with Terah as I continuously discover magic in the process as I give birth to myself as a Midwife.
Elizabeth (Beth) D: Student/Assistant August 2019 - August 2020
I have been interested in reproductive health since I was in high school but my fascination with birth began much earlier through the stories my mom would tell of her experience with pregnancy and delivery. Since then, I have worked in public health, urban agriculture, food justice, and finally coming full circle, back to birth work. I am passionate about fostering community connections and believe every person is entitled to receive holistic, evidence-based care that honors their goals for their family.
Originally from Los Angeles, I’ve lived in Washington (Puyallup & Seattle), Montana, and even in the Philippines while serving as a US Peace Corps Volunteer. My partner works for Mt. Rainier National Park as a Park Ranger and we have an active toddler and a cat who puts up with our antics. Drinking coffee, being outside, and story-telling in the kitchen are some of my favorite things.
Kiele A: Student/Assistant August 2020 - February 2021
"I am a mom to two little ones and I am just starting my path into the world of Midwifery as a student at the Midwives College of Utah. I have always been interested in a more holistic approach to medicine and healthcare, and for years I was planning on being a naturopathic nurse practitioner. After my daughter was born (at a hospital) I began to look deeper into alternatives to the standard maternal care that is offered and I was blown away by everything that I was discovering about out-of-hospital births and maternal care. I had the honor of supporting my sister through her first birth and that is when it clicked for me that birth work was where I was meant to be. From there I took a DONA Birth Doula training, got accepted, and began the Certified Professional Midwife program at MCU, and here I am now. I am so excited to be a student midwife under Terah and to be joining her team at Foothills Midwifery. I am looking forwards to getting to know you all and learning from you!" -Kiele A.
Kiana A: Student/Assistant February 2021 - April 2021
Hello! I’m Kiana! I've been a doula for two years and I'm currently in my first year of midwifery school. Before starting, I was an EMT for three years. Being an EMT definitely made me sway into the birthing world. I am a mom to two little girls.
Tina F: Birth Assistant August 2019 - February 2022
"I first heard the call to midwifery 29 years ago, as a young mother. My fifth and sixth babies were born at home. Living the experience of the Midwifery Model of Care changed my life and opened my heart and soul to the deep desire to serve women the way I had been served. I completed my doula training with DONA, and worked off and on as a doula for another seven years in Wyoming and Colorado before beginning midwifery school in 2017. Some of my fondest doula memories are of serving at the births of five of my now 11 grandchildren. My husband of 36 years and I moved to the area in January of 2018. There's a Norwegian proverb that says, "The greatest joy is to become a mother; the second greatest is to be a midwife." I am overjoyed to be continuing my journey with Terah, in service to all of you as a part of the Foothills Midwifery community. Thank all of you for allowing me the privilege of learning from you, I look forward to sharing this sacred time together." -Tina
Linnéa T: Intern/Assistant January 2022 - March 2022
"My college degree's focus in Social Services and sociology has exposed me to the fact that people in the fields of birth and reproductive health are often faced with various inequalities, which drew me to birthwork. I'm about to graduate college with a BS in Social Services, and when I do, I am going to train as a full-spectrum doula with a social justice-oriented company, and potentially train as a midwife in the future. Working with Foothills Midwifery and The Birth Cottage for my senior year internship is giving me the amazing opportunity to immerse myself in birthwork. As a future doula, I strive to create an inclusive environment for every client." -Linnéa
Cynthia: Student/Assistant March 2022 - April 2022
"I am a mom of four with ages ranging from 7 to 2 years old. We moved from Texas to Washington about 3 years ago and I fell in love with the scenery and weather here. My experiences through my births from a c-section with my first, two hospital VBACS and a homebirth with my fourth are what peaked my interest into birth work. From there my love and passion of birth work grew. I have a little over two years of experience as a certified full circle doula and that is where I started my journey as a birth professional. I continued to grow my knowledge and education by becoming certified as a peer lactation counselor, certified placenta specialist, and trauma informed birth professional. I am always reading and gaining more knowledge where I can, to help expecting families get the support they desire. I am taking the next big step as a student midwife and working to grow even more and support more families along the way! When I am not helping families, I like to spend time with my little ones. We are a homeschool family, so we love to do a lot of learning play which includes nature walks, foraging, cooking, baking, and sewing. One of our favorite things to do is to have a movie night with some popcorn and our favorite snacks. When I am not being a mom or birth professional, I love to take some time to myself for some spiritual care. Sipping on some hot cocoa and reading novels or writing are one of my favorite ways to rest and relax. I am so excited to be a part of the Foothills Midwifery Team!
Victoria: Former Office Assistant October 2021 - April 2022
"Growing up as Terah’s daughter, life was especially busy and full of constant changes. This stuck with me into adulthood as I keep very busy with a variety of hobbies and side hustles including photography (just like my mom!), traveling, skiing, hiking, camping, art, makeup, and my moms personal favorite: babysitting. Foothills Midwifery is currently my third job, I may be busy but I like it that way and I feel lucky I get to work with and see my biggest role model in action. My long term goal is to travel and offer several different esthetician services including photography, makeup, waxing, facials, and lash extensions likely for weddings and other special occasions. I am grateful that I have a mom that sets the example of a strong, independent and determined woman who knows what she wants and puts in the work to get there. I hope I have even half of her resilience so I can one day live out my dreams too." -Tori
Former Locum Midwife: Chemin
Chemin Pérez, LM is a Licensed Midwife and mother of 9 children. Chemin graduated from The National College Of Midwifery in 2013. Her training includes certification in Neonatal Resuscitation and Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics. She was blessed with the opportunity to serve as a midwife for the last 10 years in both intimate home birth settings and high volume community birthing centers. She is thankful to have been blessed with 9 beautiful children. Her off time is spent riding her horse, gardening, hiking and of course chasing kids with her husband!
Leila: Student/Assistant May 2022 - October 2022
"I have long been drawn to midwives before midwifery became my path. Through them-their stories, their lessons, their hands-I was shown the art that is being a birth keeper. It has been a nonlinear but heart-led journey since then. I began my didactic studies in 2021 with National Midwifery Institute and have recently settled in the PNW to further my education with Terah and the Foothills team. My time is also spent reading, meditating, playing board games and collecting laughs with friends." -Leila
Ashley: Student/Assistant March 2023 - June 2023
"After having a negative experience with providers following the loss of my first pregnancy, I was determined to have a better experience when I became pregnant the second time with my daughter. This was when I first became introduced to midwifery. My midwives advocated for me during my birth and held my hand throughout my entire pregnancy and postpartum journey. I’ve heard so many traumatic birth stories from friends and family members and felt so deeply that a positive birth story like mine should not be an anomaly. Thus, a midwife was born! In 2020, I started the Master of Science in Midwifery program at Bastyr University and am preparing to graduate June 2023. I’ve known that I wanted to be in healthcare since I was a child and pursued pre-med and nursing school, but it never seemed to be the right fit. Before midwifery, I worked as a CNA for many years and also dabbled in childbirth education and doula work. In addition to my program, I also study herbal medicine and am a Certified Lactation Educator hoping to eventually become a lactation consultant. I’m glad that I’ve found my passion in midwifery and hope to provide safe, supportive, and exceptional care to all individuals regardless of their race, beliefs, social status, sexual orientation or identity.
When I’m not catching babies, you’ll catch me crocheting, drawing, reading, studying, caring for my bunnies, or chasing after my 4 year old daughter, Niyomi! I reside in Federal Way with her and my husband and grandpa. I proudly identify as a Filipino and Chinese woman and hope to travel after graduation to learn more about my roots and culture. I’m excited to learn from the midwives at Foothills Midwifery and know that their knowledge, skills, and experience will help me become the midwife I want to be!" -Ashley
Amanda: Student/Assistant March 2023 - December 2023
My name is Amanda Ayotte. I live in Kent with my husband, 1 year old daughter Petra, and our two rambunctious Australian shepherds. I am also expecting a baby boy in mid-June, which we are very excited about. I enjoy hiking, gardening, cross-stitching, and reading books in my spare time. I have always been fascinated by birth and remember when my mom was laboring with my youngest sister. Unfortunately, my Aunt thought it was too intense for me to stay in the birth room, so I did not get to witness my sister’s birth. However, later in life, I babysat for a lady who was planning a home birth and she heard I was considering becoming a midwife, so she invited me to her water birth when I was 16. It was the most incredible experience! I decided in that moment I wanted to become a midwife. I started out doing birth work as a doula in 2017, and was accepted into midwifery school in 2019. Now I am in the final year of my midwifery program. I am passionate about supporting women to have the birth experience they desire and watching them be transformed and empowered by their birth experience. I am so excited to be a part of the Foothills team! It is a privilege to join you all on your birth journeys.
