Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Isabelle Krize . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Isabelle , appreciate you joining us today. Can you share an anecdote or story from your schooling/training that you feel illustrates what the overall experience was like?

It’s a work of heart. Becoming a Home-birth Midwife is so easy feat. I am doing the self- lead PEP Process through NARM and Apprenticeship.
Life as an on-call 24/7 apprentice midwife means I need to be ready at all hours of the day/night and be well prepared to drop what I’m doing and go, never knowing how long you’ll be gone.

Your support system needs to be strong, especially if you have a family of your own. Communication and setting expectations are a huge component to keeping a family/work balance.

The depth of this work is so important and dear to my heart. I have grown to embrace every aspect of it and take every day as it comes. It is an honor to do this work.
Especially on the tough days and long nights, I’m humbly reminded to revere this time and hold space for the families I serve. This work is not about me, its about the families I serve.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I have been in the field of birth work for almost 13 years. I’ve done a wide range of work with families here in the valley. Starting with Massage therapy, I focused on prenatal in-home massage in 2003.
I trained as a Birth Doula in 2009 and have served over 400 families in that capacity, including Postpartum, Bereavement and Trauma informed Doula care, birth photography, personalized labor prep/birth education and infant advocacy.
I love doula work, it makes my soul sing, the way it positively inspires every single family.

In 2016 I decided to start my journey into Midwifery and I have been working toward my CPM for 6 years.
I’m only a few short months away from completion.

There are still a lot of misconceptions about home birth. So I’ll start with this.
Home birth is safe!!
Midwives are specialists in low risk, physiological birth.

There is a saying that goes ” I don’t deliver babies, I sit patiently as a guide just in case the birthing mother needs anything, then we clean up and go home ”
Birth, when it is encouraged to follow an undisturbed pattern, accompanied but not actively managed, 94% of the time will unfold beautifully without complication.

Home birth is for low risk pregnancies. If you have high-risk factors in your health history or pregnancy, carefully and patiently seek out the right provider who will support your birth wishes and be honest with you. Talk to your care provider about the safest options for you. FYI Doulas are experts at helping to find the best ones.

Who can have a home birth?
If you’re pregnant with your first baby, yes, you are a candidate for home birth. It’s not necessary to “start’ in the hospital.
If you have had a previous cesarian, yes, you are a candidate for home birth.
Did you have a less than satisfactory experience in the hospital and desire something totally different? Yes, home birth is an option for you too.

We offer all the same standard of care practices as any hospital based providers. We offer all prenatal blood work, genetic screens, ultrasound, along with all other standard prenatal tests and screens for mom and baby.
But the difference is we ensure you are educated about every option and the main decision maker in you and your babies care, start to finish.
The way you give birth is your choice. We adjust to you, wherever you are.
Quality postpartum care is done in your home while you heal, rest and get to know your new baby. Yes, we come to you!!

Prenatal care is and should be personal. BUT it’s not a one size fits all.
Keep interviewing and searching until you find the right provider for YOU.
Explore all options and possibilities, ask the hard and real questions. If it’s important to you it should be important to them.
They should provide you not only with quality care but listen to your needs and desires for your birth experience and support it.

One paramount piece of advise is:
Be open to unlearning what society and the media has taught you about pregnancy and birth.
Release yourself from what your families birth history is.
What happened to them does not guarantee what will unfold for you.
Do not compare your pregnancy to others around you.

Be open to learning about your body and the birth process so you can be realistically aware of what to expect.
Birth is not to be feared, it should be honored and supported.
Labor is manageable with the right mindset and support team.
You deserve to be celebrated through this transformation of growth.

One great question we get often is, what if something goes wrong?
We are always open to discussing your fears and concerns. This is something we check in on often throughout your care.

The honest answer is, yes, transfers are necessary, when circumstances cross the line outside of normal and low risk.
While we are thoroughly equipped and certified to handle emergent situations, it is rare that we transfer in a true emergency.

We are so grateful for providers with a higher scope of practice and the hospital setting for these scenarios, when home is no longer the safest option, these providers take you in and continue to support you respectfully and try their best to honor your birth wishes in their facility while over seeing the remainder of your birth.
That is what they are there for.

Quality midwifery care means transferring care when it is needed, albeit prenatally, during labor or in the immediate postpartum time.
We want you to feel confident in your body and your birth space. Open communication around all of this is a huge part of that.
Hospital transfer is not failed home birth. But a direct result of good care and safety first for mom and baby.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

Maybe I’m old school but face to face connections has proven to be the most effective for me. Taking the time to connect with other providers such as Chiropractor, Pediatricians, Naturopathic Doctors, Obstetricians and other Midwives.. etc.
The more they know about your work and the quality of your care, the more likely they are to recommend you, to their clientele.
Building professional relationships has helped keep a steady stream of clients coming my way.
Don’t just drop off business cards at their office. Take the time to sit and chat, take them to lunch or out for coffee.
Remember it works both ways. If you love the way they practice, send referrals their way as well.

My referral list is made up of only providers that I personally know and have worked with or has a reputation for treating my clients well to ensure quality of care across the board.

Organic word of mouth referrals from clients are the absolute best referrals. Trust builds trust.
When your clients love your care, they want to share about their experience.
Offer them opportunities to share on your website or social media with their testimonials.
Ask for permission to share their photos. Ask to be tagged in their posts.
Give them cards to give to their inner circle as well.
Don’t hesitate to ask for testimonials!!!

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

Honest feedback is huge. Real conversation, face to face.
Ask clients what the best and least favorite parts of their experience were.

Check in from time to time with your preferred referral list.
Clients talk and often, most openly to the ones who sent them your way.

If a client hires me for the second time or even third time, I check in and ask them to evaluate what I previously provided and be open to their suggestions.
It’s okay for wants and needs shift with each new journey.
Be open to grow and learn with them through those changes.

Be transparent and welcome honesty.
Ask for feedback and be open to it no matter what it is or where it comes from including yourself, be honest and check in with self regularly,
Is this work is still serving me?
Do I have a balanced work/life/love flow?
Do I have healthy boundaries?

This is not to please any one particular person or group but always keeping an open mind for growth and improvement.
When people know you are open to receiving feedback, it builds confidence knowing they can trust your care.
More importantly when you’re open and honest with yourself the longevity and quality of care will be sustained.
Strive for excellence and a growth mindset in all areas of your work.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @My_Doula_Family , @owned_empowerment
• Facebook: @Isabelle- Student Midwife

Image Credits
Carey Lippert, Malaura Ruizesparza, Jocelyn Collins