MEET THE MIDWIFE:  MONICA STEVENS, LM, CPM, NHCM

Hello!  First, I'll give you a little history.  I earned my midwife certification in 1999, and then worked 6 years in the Lakes Region of NH as owner of Moonrise Midwifery.  After moving north to Colebrook, NH in 2005, I opened this practice to serve women of the northern region of NH who had no access to homebirth care.  Living right on the Connecticut River as I do, it was a natural progression to pursue Vermont licensure in 2007.

I earned a B.A. in Psychology from Carleton College in Minnesota.  Not many years afterward, I birthed my two children in New Hampshire with the help of wonderful midwife, Sue Bartlett.  My first birth took place in the hospital after a planned homebirth, and I birthed my second baby at home.  I stayed home exclusively with my children for a number of years.  I then began midwifery training, the most powerful aspect of which was a 5-year apprenticeship with Concord Midwifery Service in Concord, NH.  I also completed midwifery training with the Massachusetts Midwives Alliance, along with certification in Neonatal Resuscitation, and coursework at New Hampshire Technical Institute.  In related work, I provided respite care at a rehabilitation shelter for pregnant women.  I have served about 11 years on state midwifery committees, now serving on the Newborn Screening Committee and an executive appointment as Chairperson of the NH Midwifery Council.

My two children are growing up into astounding people.  My daughter Madeline, vegetarian, creative and hard-working, graduated as Salutatorian of her high school and studies international affairs in college.  My son Daniel, a quick wit, carnivore, and self-professed computer geek, earns high honors in school and enjoys paintballing and chess.

I live and work on my partner's dairy farm.  As a certified phlebotomist, I also work part-time as a paramedical examiner.  And in my spare time, I enjoy bread-baking, household projects, kayaking, knitting, and organizing.