Breath of Life Midwifery

Crystal became a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) and licensed to practice midwifery in VA in 2009. She received traditional midwifery training through a 5 year apprenticeship. She has attended nearly 500 births over the last 20 years.

Additionally, she has a bachelor’s degree in the Interdisciplinary Studies of Health Science, Social Science, and Behavioral Science.  She is a life-time learner, always building her knowledge base and learning new skills, techniques, and approaches to midwifery care. To meet the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) standards, she completed her Midwifery Bridge Certification in 2018. She has completed specialized training in emergency obstetric care, neonatal resuscitation, breech birth, shoulder dystocia, fetal positioning, out-of-hospital fetal assessment, and cultural competency. She is current in CPR-BLS, NRP, and many other certifications. In addition to midwifery, she is a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator (LCCE) and a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC). 

Crystal is an avid supporter of VBAC, family-centered care and shared decision making through informed consent. She is an active member of the Virginia Midwives Alliance (VMA) and serves on its board and their Medicaid Liaison workgroup. Crystal loves teaching and is a NARM approved midwifery preceptor. She is working to train midwives throughout the area, especially in under-served areas. 

Amanda began her Midwifery journey at Breath of Life Midwifery at a Birth Assistant Training Workshop in 2014. She was instantly a great fit with the team & became an apprentice 9 months later. 

Amanda completed an extensive 5 year apprenticeship and midwifery education, attending approximately 75 births during that time. She became a VA Licensed Midwife in 2019. Currently, she has attended approximately 200 births. 

Amanda has completed specialized training in fetal positioning, fetal heart tones, placental anatomy, suturing, shoulder dystocia, breech birth, neonatal resuscitation, loss & bereavement, ALSO training, postpartum hemorrhage, and venipuncture/IV administration. She is also current in CPR-BLS and NRP certifications.

Amanda believes the midwifery model of care is about providing individual care to expecting families in a gentle, honest, and loving way. In her experience, when families trust their provider, feel safe in their environment, and have their choices respected, they report better birth experiences and outcomes.

Heather's passion for becoming a midwife began at a very young age. She began her apprenticeship with Breath of Life Midwifery in early 2019 and attended her first birth on May 5th, 2019. Over the course of an intensive four-year apprenticeship, she attended 75 births and over 1000 prenatal and postpartum visits. 

Heather's commitment to midwifery led her to pursue specialized training in various areas, including Fetal Positioning and Palpation, Fetal Heart Tones, and doula/labor support. Additionally, Heather completed training in Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics, acquiring additional training in neonatal resuscitation, shoulder dystocia, and postpartum hemorrhage. 

In early 2023, she achieved her goal of becoming a licensed midwife and officially joined our practice. Maintaining her knowledge and skills at the forefront, Heather remains up-to-date with certifications in NRP and CPR-BLS. She enjoys teaching Childbirth Education classes multiple times a year to our clients and community, and is passionate about empowering women with information. 

For Heather, the pillars of midwifery care lie in informed consent and shared decision-making. She is passionate about empowering women through birth and restoring women’s belief in their body through the birthing process. She is very excited to begin her career with Breath of Life midwifery, serving the Roanoke area.