About LeAnn

My interest in midwifery began in the 1980’s when I saw my first birth as part of my training in nursing school. I was profoundly impressed with the birthing woman’s strength and power, despite the poor care she received, and I was driven to find out how care for women could be different. I worked as a labor and delivery nurse for a few years; during that time met a nurse midwife and began dreaming of becoming a midwife. About ten years later (because Life Happened in the form of getting married, the opportunity to live in Asia for 7 years, a research project on Traditional Birth Attendants in Indonesia and having 2 of my 3 children), I was thrilled to attend Baylor College of Medicine Nurse-Midwifery Division. My first job as a midwife was in an out-of-hospital birth center in Texas where I worked for almost a year before returning to life in Asia and a small solo home birth practice.
In 1993 I returned to the United States, started working for Olmsted Medical Center in Rochester, Minnesota and had my third child (and third home birth). I worked in a 2 midwife practice at Olmsted for 5 years, attending many deliveries in the hospital. In 2003 I resigned from my position at Olmsted Medical Center as an opportunity to live and work in Winona, Minnesota presented itself. For 10 years I worked in a 2 midwife practice in Winona Clinic, attending many more births at Community Memorial Hospital. (My total of births attended is more than 800). My work at Winona Clinic also included well-woman care (gynecology). 
2009 was a year of big changes: I was “down-sized” from Winona Clinic and had plenty of time to contemplate my life so far and my future. I discovered that the call of midwifery, the call to serve women, the craving for the privilege of attending births was still very strong. In early 2010 I started a home birth practice serving southeastern Minnesota, southwestern Wisconsin and northeastern Iowa. I opened an office in downtown Winona where I provide prenatal care and women’s healthcare.
I am a member of Midwives Alliance of North America (MANA) and the American College of Nurse Midwifery (ACNM). I attend continuing education sessions yearly and maintain neonatal resuscitation certification. So much of what I have learned so far in life and in my work as a midwife has been given to me by the women I have been privileged to serve. I thank them all from the bottom of my heart. 

About Brandi

Brandi is a huge part of the WomanCare birth team! Brandi is LeAnn's birth assistant, she is a doula and she is a lactation educator counselor. She has been working with LeAnn for 7 years, loyally and faithfully attending all births with LeAnn.

Clients usually meet Brandi at their 36 week prenatal visit. Brandi goes on call for your birth at 37 weeks in your pregnancy, just as LeAnn does.

Brandi provides support for you in labor, she assists LeAnn at the time of birth and she supports you in the hours immediately after birth. She helps you get started with breastfeeding, usually in the first hour after your baby is born. She is available to help you with any breastfeeding concerns or questions, for as long as you nurse.