Sierra Orr, LM, CPM, Owner
I am Sierra Orr, wife, mother, midwife. In my younger years I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science. Knowing I wanted to one day be a mother myself, I always found myself gravitating towards studies and information surrounding prenatal and postnatal fitness, nutrition, and wellness.
After my first homebirth, I knew becoming a midwife was my professional calling. With babies of my own, I began my career as a certified doula. I have been honored to help many families during one of the most important moments of their lives: the birth of a baby and, as important, the making of a parent. Experiences in both home and hospital settings as a doula informed and empowered me in my decision to become a homebirth midwife. I became a midwife assistant, and began attending more home births which reignited my passion for birth work. I made the decision to enroll in midwifery school and began my coursework in January 2021, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Midwifery with honors in December of 2023. After working full-time at an accredited birth center, I returned to homebirth to fulfill what I believe to be my true calling.
Community Midwifery is a rapidly expanding field in the state of Washington, where I currently reside and hold the national and state credentials of both Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) and Licensed Midwife (LM). As a licensed midwife I am qualified to offer global maternity care in the home and birth center setting. My scope of practice includes prenatal care, labor and delivery, postpartum care, and newborn care. I also offer Well Woman care services including Paps and other testing.
I am grateful for hospitals and trained medical professionals that devote their lives and careers to serve parents and babies, however I also believe birth is normal and inherently safe. If we let physiological birth unfold without unnecessary interventions and birthing families are respected, we know birth outcomes improve. Supporting birth at home is one important way we can realize better birth experiences and outcomes. I believe that normal pregnancy is not a disease nor a medical condition that requires excessive intervention.
My job as a midwife is to encourage clients, help them find educational resources that speak to their inner voice, and remind them of their strength and ability. As a midwife I practice shared decision making on all health care choices within my scope of practice. My main priority is that expectant parents are safe, supported, and physically and mentally well throughout their childbearing year.
At Simple Abundance Midwifery, I follow the Midwifery Model of Care which entails:
• Monitoring the physical, psychological and social well-being of the mother throughout the childbearing cycle
• Providing the mother with individualized education, counseling and prenatal care; continuous hands-on assistance during labor and delivery; and postpartum support
• Minimizing technological interventions
• Identifying and referring women who require obstetrical attention
I am honored to be called to the best profession on earth- a Midwife!
Maressa Shepard, LM, CPM
Hi, I’m Maressa, a passionate mama to five amazing children. My path into this work began at the age of 12, when I witnessed my first birth and felt a clear and lasting calling to this field. My own birth experiences have deeply shaped the way I care for others. After two cesarean births, I went on to have three successful vaginal births after cesarean (VBA2C). That journey gave me a deep respect for informed choice, trust in the body, and the importance of having the right support during birth.
In early 2021, I picked up a camera to capture the fleeting moments of everyday life, which quickly grew into a love for birth photography. Being invited into such powerful, intimate spaces inspired me to become a certified doula, allowing me to both support families and document their stories in a meaningful way. My passion for birth led me to pursue midwifery training through the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) Portfolio Evaluation Process (PEP). This pathway combines extensive self-directed study with hands-on clinical experience. Over 2.5 years, I completed in-depth academic work alongside an intensive preceptorship, attending over 200 births in both supportive and clinical roles.
Through this work, I’ve developed a strong foundation in midwifery care and a deep commitment to supporting families with respect, presence, and compassion. I believe in creating a space where women feel seen, heard, and empowered as they move through one of the most transformative experiences of their lives.
Esther Carlson, Birth Assistant, LMP
"It takes a village", and I enjoy being a part of that village to support the community - specifically moms! I am a licensed massage therapist of 8 years, doula and birth assistant of two years, and I recently added Body Ready Method certification (BRM) to my toolbox to help women be more prepared for this life changing event of birth and postpartum.
Esther was born at home herself, back before homebirth was the cool thing to do!
