MEET THE SANTA CRUZ MIDWIVES TEAM

We are dedicated to providing holistic family centered midwifery care to the Santa Cruz region

As midwives and natural health practitioners, we love the process of empowering our families throughout pregnancy, birth and postpartum.

Sharon Pottiger - Santa Cruz Midwife

SHARON POTTEIGER, LM, CPM

As a small child, both my grandmothers were labor and delivery nurses … and I have amazing memories of them drinking tea and discussing birth while I played with my dolls at their feet. Little did I realize the impact they were having on me.

I found my life’s calling after attending my first home birth in Santa Cruz when I was 18 years old. In the years that followed, I attended births in whatever capacity was needed. First, I provided childcare and served as a doula. Soon after, I found myself “catching babies.” (Including one in a Grateful Dead show parking lot!)

I have been licensed by the California medical board since 2009, and have a thriving midwifery practice. I draw on my many years of practice and study of midwifery, herbs, homeopathy, aromatherapy acupressure, massage and — last but not least — motherhood.

SERENA RUSSELL, LM, CPM

I became passionate about birth after the homebirth of my daughter in 1993. Over the course of almost a decade, while relishing in the early years of raising my daughter, I honed my skills through extensive apprenticeship training as well as through clinical experiences in Jamaica and the Philippines.

In 2001 I began taking clients and have continued to serve a diverse array of women and their families in their homes since then. In 2014, as political and cultural climates shifted, and in order to serve families in a greater capacity, I made the decision to apply for California licensure.

In order to facilitate this, I had the opportunity to spend 10 months in a busy water birth center in northern California, working alongside other experienced midwives while completing an extensive academic program through the National Midwifery Institute.

STEPHANIE KERWIN, STUDENT MIDWIFE

Following the birth of my son 17 years ago I was inspired to begin training as a doula and attending births. My doula work led me to midwifery care and a home birth for my second child’s birth. It was an incredible experience and I knew that I wanted to one day be a midwife myself.

I want all birthing persons to know and understand their choices in childbirth and to feel supported and empowered in the choices they make, just as I was during my pregnancy, labor and postpartum period. In the fall of 2018, I enrolled at Midwives College of Utah and began my journey to become a midwife and have been attending home births as a student midwife ever since.

In addition to my midwifery work, I serve on the board of directors of Birth Network Santa Cruz. This volunteer position gives me the opportunity to help develop and plan birth-related events in our community, as well as interact with parents and other care providers.

KEM WHITE, CLINICAL HERBALIST & LYMPHATIC CARE

In 1996 Kem White had her first of three home births which started her on a journey of health and wellness. She was fortunate to have both Sharon Pottieger, LM, CPM and Raven Lang, LAc and OMD as teachers. They introduced Kem to Traditional Chinese Medicine and Eastern-Western Herbalism.

She went on to intern at The American School of Herbalism. She studies Ayurveda in Sebastopol with DeAnna Batdorff and has completed The Clinical Ayurvedic Program. She combines Lymphatic Massage, Eastern-Western Herbalism, Tibetan Palate and Cranial Release, and Ayurveda.

Learn About Kem's Ayurvedic Lymphatic Care
Kara O'Loughlin - Santa Cruz Midwife

KARA O’LOUGHLIN, LM, CPM

Kara is our backup assistant while she finishes her Masters in acupuncture.

I began my midwifery training in Ireland in 2006, working in Trinity College Dublin and the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital. My work at Coombe was especially demanding, as it is the busiest maternity hospital in Europe … delivering more than 10,000 babies a year.

Through this rigorous and fast-paced working environment, I gained experience attending a diverse population of women. My passion for midwifery remained firmly in the ethos of home birth.

After graduation as a Registered Midwife in 2012, I immigrated to the US, where I gained the out of hospital experience necessary to qualify as a California Licensed Midwife. I have attended over 90 out of hospital births as the primary midwife and over 200 as a midwife on the labor ward.

Through my previous qualification and experience as an acupuncturist I combine my knowledge of Chinese medicine with my midwifery training to provide an integrative approach to the health and wellbeing of my clients.

I am accredited by the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) and California Medical Board.

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    303 Potrero St, #47-201
    Santa Cruz, CA 95060

    (p) 831-332-3075
    (f) 831-603-3644

    HELPING SANTA CRUZ FAMILIES SINCE 1986

    When planning a homebirth, it is so important to have a capable and comforting midwife by your side. Kara is exactly this. During our pre-natal visits, she listened carefully to my questions and concerns and made sure I had all the information I needed to make the right decisions for my and my baby’s care. Her warm personality made our visits so enjoyable and I always looked forward to them.

    For my birth, she created a relaxed, safe space and helped me to feel confident in myself. My labor was very slow going and eventually I had to transfer to Dominican hospital, but having Kara by my side helped me to make that transition as smoothly as possible and keep me reassured.

    Despite not having the homebirth I had hoped for, I felt like my birth went as well as it possibly could have done, and my baby and I were (and still are) 100% happy and healthy. Kara was integral to my positive birth experience and choosing her as my midwife was the best decision I could have made. I can’t recommend her highly enough!

    Victoria, Bobby and Baby Alexander
    Sharon,

    From the moment I met you I knew my birth experience would be perfect.  I instantly had a trust and bond with you. Everything you have done for me and Keith was amazing. I am so lucky to have found you. What a different experience I would have had at the hospital, right? You gave me the most beautiful birth story and I wouldn’t have done it any other way! I can’t wait for the second now.

    Rachel

    Dear, Dear,Dear, Dear, Dear, Dear, Dear, Aunty Sharon Midwife,

    When where you born? Did you have a midwife to catch you? Thank you for Catching Cian. Thank you for catching me. Why did I go first?

    All the best.

    Miraw
    a three year old girl

    It’s been such a pleasure getting to know you. Since the day we met, we knew it was a perfect match to work with you. We appreciate your care, thoughtfulness, humor, and professionalism. Thank you so much for helping to give our family a beautiful beginning!

    Naraya, Elio, & Oa

    J, Grayce & I have been so fortunate with our circle of friends and feel super lucky to have found you! You were a big  source of inspiration to me and I thank you! I hope we continue to share life and children together in the years to come.

    Dana, J, Grayce & Julia

    I want to thank you again for all the help with bringing Kiahna into the world. You have been a blessing in my life!

    Harmony

    Thanks for everything. I couldn’t have done it without you!

    Sonia

    Thank you so much for helping us bring our baby into the world! Your calm, upbeat presence was exactly what we needed. We appreciate everything you did for us and are eternally grateful for your assistance.

    Kai

    You are the best midwife ever! You guided us towards a fabulous team, you gave us medical advice when we needed it and counseled us when that was needed. You provided us with the full spectrum of health care from homeopathics to western … all with a big dose of love. You are so incredibly skilled at what you do and we are forever thankful of your help bringing our baby into this world. We hope to see you next time around.

    Rachel & Beau

    We just wanted to say thank you for being such an incredible midwife! We really appreciate the care you gave me and the baby. Not to mention the way you included our 3 year old in the whole process. She loves you so much. We feel you went above and beyond. We all love and will miss seeing you. Thank you for helping us get our perfect birth. What an amazing birth story I have!

    Keep in touch! Much Love and Respect.

    Michelle & Brian

    Thanks you again for helping our family have a wonderful home birth!

    My daughter asked me if she can be a midwife when she grows up and if I will be her assistant. We will always remember you and always appreciate you!  We love you!

    Selena

    Thank you, thank you! What would I have done without you? It was so incredibly amazing of you to show up for us in such an incredibly supportive way. You are an awesome midwife and we were very fortunate to have you.

    Alana

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