I began studying midwifery in 1997.  I attended beginning and advanced midwifery classes as well as many workshops and conferences over the next few years. I became a doula for Doulas by Nature in 1999.  I began my 2 ½ year homebirth midwifery apprenticeship in 1999, taking a break to have my son, Alder, who was born at home in the water. I have been a childbirth educator since 2000, specializing in homebirth.  I have studied homeopathy, acupuncture and herbs, and am a Level 1 Reiki practitioner.  I am currently IV, CPR and neonatal resuscitation certified.  I am also a member of CAM.  I interned at Casa de Nacimiento, a birth center in El Paso, Texas, for two months (700 clinical hours), from December 2002 to February 2003, primarily serving Mexican women and their families.  In total I have attended just over 160 births, 90 in the role of primary midwife.  I began practicing as a primary midwife in 2003.  I gave birth at home to my second son, Mateo, in December 2005, and my third child, a daughter, Annika, in March, 2008. I became a Certified Professional Midwife in 2009.  Knowing how precious my own family is to me, I feel extremely blessed to participate in the gentle birth of each new being and to witness the blossoming of each incredible family.

Calista Young can be contacted at midwives@madronemidwifery.com or 707-599-5508.