About Andrea
| "Andrea's confidence gave me confidence during birth. She knew when to stay in the background while I was laboring, and when to offer more direction. Going through a radical experience like birth the first time, I could have been frightened--but I knew I could trust Andrea to guide me through the process." -Heather, mother to Lucia |
She has attended more than 300 births since 1991.
Andrea holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Arizona, Tucson, as well as a License of Midwifery from the California Medical Board and a Certified Professional Midwife certificate from the North American Registry of Midwives.
Andrea has three children, all born naturally at home with different midwives. Her calling to midwifery began with the birth
of her first child and was affirmed by her personal journey into motherhood.
Andrea’s training followed the traditional direct-entry apprenticeship model, beginning with an academic program through the Massachusetts Midwives Association and culminating in an apprenticeship with Paula Tipton-Healy, midwife of 27 years, now retired. Andrea was a midwife at Birth, Babies, & Beyond midwifery practice from 1996-2003. In 2003, the practice was bought by Ama Mama holistic health care, where Andrea continued to work as an independent midwife until 2005.
During her training, Andrea did volunteer work through the Massachusetts Friends of Midwives (MFOM), and she continues to volunteer with the California Association of Midwives (CAM), helping to stage educational events and fundraisers, and holding office. She also loves to spend time in her children’s classrooms and at their sporting events.
Midwives provide birthing women options, and individualized care. Because Andrea is committed to increasing the number of midwives in the region, she often has one or two apprentices (student midwives) with her in training at the office and at births.
Andrea lives in Encinitas, California, with her husband, three children, two cats, and a garden.