" A Midwife must possess the Hand of a Lady, the Eyes of a Hawk, and the Heart of a Lion." - 16th Century Proverb
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Louise Self Licensed Midwife & registered preceptor Becoming a Midwife has been my dream for as long as I can remember. My focus and passion in life has always been for serving women, providing gentle-caring for babies, and supporting families. I believe in the right and need for women to have the individualized care and support that is needed through-out their Pregnancy, birth, and postpartum period. It is the most vulnerable, influential, and should be the most empowering time in our lives. We never forget how we were treated.. It's more then just a quick visit for a blood pressure check and listening to baby! I am truly blessed for every birth I have attended, and the relationships I have forged along the way. I was born and raised in the UK until age 11, when my step-father, then in air force, was re-stationed back in the US. I have lived in New Mexico since 1992. Its vast land, high deserts, deep forests, unforgettable sunsets, and amazing access to midwifery care has kept me here. Coming from a family of midwives and nurses, caring for others comes naturally, which often includes a cup of tea! I remember when my mother gave birth in the UK and the midwife came to the home postpartum to see her. Tears, cups of tea and laughter often filled the house whilst she was there, validating the art and basic needs of being present with one another. I chose to take the direct-entry route to my midwifery training, studying along side Barbara Pepper, LM with Rio Grande Midwifery from 2011-2014, along with other amazing midwives in NM. I strongly believe in passing on traditional midwifery skills, knowledge, and the importance of the midwives hands; touch, healing, gentleness, and trusting. I have attended over 600 births as Licensed Midwife with HDM, and as primary Apprentice Midwife in the home birth setting with Barbara Pepper, LM (retired). Before becoming a midwife, I was a Doula, attending births at home, in hospital, and a few in a birth center. I dearly love my work! Having experienced both a hospital birth and an empowering, deeply spiritual, sacred home birth I knew what my true calling and passion in life was: to continue on my journey in obtaining certification and licensing as a Midwife. Along with my personal experiences, and for the love of being with women and babies, Home Birth has always been close to my heart, and will always remain so. I strongly feel as women, we need to take back our births, with full autonomy and informed decision making! I am so grateful for my wonderful, supportive family and friends, who I deeply appreciate as a sole-practitioner midwife. I love being a mum to my two beautiful and vibrant boys, aged 16 and 21. They are my greatest blessing in my life. Both their births were incredibly transformative, helping shape who I am today. |
"Pregnancy and childbirth is truly an intuitive and sacred time in a woman's life, which should be honoured, validated and respected. Birth must preserve a woman's dignity, and must remain a joyous event with the women feeling in command of herself. I trust in our innate wisdom to birth".
Student midwives
At High Desert Midwifery we strongly believe in the Apprenticeship model that New Mexico is well-known for; training community Midwives, and passing down the sacred and traditional ways of caring for women.
Apprenticeships typically take students 3-5 yrs to complete.
I typically have two apprentices at a time.
Students alternate clinic days, rotating monthly so they get to meet each client and you'll get to know them as well. Both apprentices attend births with me, one apprentice is in the background, focusing on charting and time keeping, the other is more involved and assisting; listening to your baby with the doppler, supporting you as needed etc., Learning the necessary foundational skills in becoming a competent midwife themselves.
Before students are allowed to attend clinic and births they must be trained and certified in: CPR, IV and neonatal resuscitation.
Apprenticeships typically take students 3-5 yrs to complete.
I typically have two apprentices at a time.
Students alternate clinic days, rotating monthly so they get to meet each client and you'll get to know them as well. Both apprentices attend births with me, one apprentice is in the background, focusing on charting and time keeping, the other is more involved and assisting; listening to your baby with the doppler, supporting you as needed etc., Learning the necessary foundational skills in becoming a competent midwife themselves.
Before students are allowed to attend clinic and births they must be trained and certified in: CPR, IV and neonatal resuscitation.
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Amber Herbert
1st year Student Midwife Hello, I am a second generation Homeschooling mama to 5 children. I have been married to Anthony for almost 18 years. I was born and raised in Southern California. We moved to Abq almost a decade ago. It has been a slow adjustment but I have learned to love this land and the people. I enjoy exploring new sights with my family. Bandelier National Monument is a favorite of ours to go climb. We enjoy game night, watching classic movies together and dancing in the kitchen. I have been a SAHM for almost 17 years and am so excited for this new season of life. I have had a hospital birth, 2 water births with CNM's at a birth center, one unassisted home birth and then a hospital birth again with a CNM. I have dealt with excessive nausea and vomiting during most of my pregnancies, but not to the extent of Hyperemesis Gravidarum. The reward of a precious human being on the other side of it, was worth it. The process of labor and delivery is so sacred to me. I want to help, encourage and nurture women through this transforming stage of their life. I feel passionately about helping provide the support that women need to have the kind of birth they choose. I am so honored and privileged to be able to learn from Louise! |
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Julia Dowling
1st year Student Midwife Julia Dowling is a proud native of Albuquerque and has a deep commitment to maternal and child health. She is a Certified Breastfeeding Specialist, Research Scientist, Community Health Worker, and Doula —and brings both knowledge and heart to everything she does. She is on track to complete her graduate studies in Health Education, with a focus on Maternal and Child Health, at the University of New Mexico in May 2025. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Community Health Education and is certified as an EMT, both from the University of New Mexico. Beyond her professional pursuits, Julia is a devoted wife to a wonderful husband and a loving mother to five beautiful children. Her own journey through motherhood has deeply inspired her commitment to empowering families and advocating for equitable access to the care and resources they need to grow and thrive. Outside of her professional and academic commitments, Julia finds joy in spending time outdoors, gardening, and capturing life’s special moments through photography. She treasures quality time with her family and has a special love for houseplants and cacti. A warm cup of tea and time spent nurturing her interests offer her balance and renewal. Julia is honored and enthusiastic to embark on this next chapter of her journey and looks forward to continuing to serve and uplift her community. |
Supporting Midwives
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Carolina Nkouaga
Licensed Midwife & Birth Assistant (Carolina is currently supporting and covering High Desert Midwifery's practice (along with other midwives) as back-up Midwife. She is not regularly in clinic or regularly attending births with Louise.) I have dreamt of becoming a midwife since I was fifteen years old. Life took me on another path until now however, through a career in public health and community health improvement. Throughout it all, I never lost my passion for women’s health! I trained as a doula almost two decades ago, and have supported family and friends in their births during that time, and for the last couple of years have been taking midwifery courses and apprenticed with local home-birth midwives to gain experience and skills. The principles of unity and service guide my work, and I am deeply interested in health, community building, women’s studies and issues surrounding rural and under-served populations. I am the proud mama of two daughters, ages 18 and16, loved deeply by both me and my husband. Both births were attended by wonderful midwives here in Albuquerque, though one (who still enjoys dramatic entrances!) ended up with a quick transfer to the hospital, and the other (who still is just a go-with-the-flow personality) calmly entered this world in a birth pool at home. I enjoy reading, drawing, and a nice long cup of coffee with dear friends. Born and raised in Costa Rica and with family ties to West Africa, salsa dancing and the beat of drums are common in our home! I received my Masters degree in Public Health in 2017 from the University of New Mexico and have worked in the field of community health improvement for most of my adult life. I am so excited to share I am now a qualified, Licensed Midwife! My vision is to collaborate and support Home Birth Midwives in our community. |
