Meet the Midwife...
My path to Midwifery began in 1994 after the birth of my eldest son when I desired to find a better way for women to birth. After several years of studying with elder midwives in apprenticeship, I began my own practice in 2004. I was blessed to serve the Midwifery community of Bend, Oregon until December of 2010 when I moved to the California Central Coast with my family. I then completed the National Midwifery Institutes program for CA licensure. I am a state Licensed Midwife by the Medical Board of California and I am a Nationally Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) by the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM).
In addition, I studied Anthropology and Women’s Studies at Oregon State University.
My other passion is being a mother to my four wonderful children, ages 17, 12, 7 and 1. I have had 3 home births of my own, with the last being unassisted birth with only my family present. I truly believe in the ability of women to birth naturally.
I contribute to research projects and regularly attend conferences in order to provide my clients with the most up-to-date evidence based care. I am also a member of the California Association of Midwives.
I am grateful for the warm welcome I have received from this community and look forward to helping build a stronger midwifery community here for years to come. In my free time you can find me hiking, spending time at the beach, or enjoying music and dancing.
"Every birth I attend is another affirmation of why I need to keep going. The gift of witnessing babies being born in such a gentle way, and watching women transform before my eyes into empowered mothers; inspires me to give thanks everyday that I was called into this path of midwifery."
Completely trusting in the ability of women to birth their babies naturally!
Tanya Parsons, LM, CPM
I grew up here on the Central Coast and after being away for 8 years there is nothing better than being back home. I am the mother of 3 beautiful children. My first 2 birth experiences led to my search for other options.
I believed in my body and my ability to birth in the safety of our home. I found Tanya in 2004 while living in Central Oregon and not only did I have the most empowered home birth experience, I felt compelled to start the process of learning everything I could so that I would be able to someday witness other women cross over the sacred bridge into birth.
I was able to apprentice with Tanya for a short time and now, here on the Central Coast, I am once again blessed to provide assistance to this woman who is not only an amazing midwife, but also my close friend.
I am currently enrolled in the Midwives College of Utah pursuing my dream of becoming a midwife. I have been certified in massage since 1995 and bring those skills into birth when desired.
I offer Placenta Encapsulation for all women here on the Central Coast and believe deeply in the benefits. It is my intention to hold a space for each family to create the birth they desire.
Midwife Assistant
Marisa Gray
