Heart Wisdom Midwifery is the Marin County practice of Joan Green, California Licensed Midwife (LM) and Certified Professional Midwife (CPM), a national midwifery standard. The name Heart Wisdom comes from my belief that you know in your heart how to birth your baby. My job is to help you nourish and cultivate this knowledge.

Education and Experience

I have attended over a thousand births as the primary midwife and have been practicing woman-centered midwifery care since 1984.

I received my training at the Maternity Center in El Paso, Texas. I had a home childbirth practice in El Paso after completing my training. I then went on to teach and attend births for many years at Maternidad La Luz, renowned midwifery school and free standing birth center. I have been living and practicing midwifery in Marin and Sonoma Counties for the last 25 years. I was the co-founding midwife for Circle of Life Midwifery Center in Fairfax and now practice as Heart Wisdom Midwifery. I served for more than 5 years on the Board of Directors of the California Association of Midwives and also completed two terms as Vice President for the Midwives Alliance of North America. Questions about my qualifications and experiences as a midwife, as well as anything else that may help you in choosing the right attendant for your birth, are encouraged.

Philosophy

Childbirth is a miracle, an everyday miracle but one of the most powerful events in most people's lives.  It effects how the baby relates to the world, how the mother feels about her herself and is also the birth of the father. Giving birth has a life long impact on everyone present.   Each birth is unique and hold it’s own power and energy.  It is personal and belongs within the family circle. The mother is better able to face the challenges of birth with encouragement and respect, surrounded by those who love and care about her. When birth is truly experienced it is a glorious moment.

 I see my role as the midwife as the person who holds the wonder and allows the family to find it's way through this amazing process.  My midwifery care is compassionate, safe and combines ancient wisdom and modern knowledge. I focus on cherishing the beauty within the mother while guiding and protecting the process of pregnancy and birth. I  advise the mother and her birth partner with love, respect and support.  It is an honor to help welcome a new and precious being into the family.