Natasha Vita

Apprentice

Stories of home birth were woven throughout my childhood in Tijeras, New Mexico. My grandmother gave birth to my mother in a meadow; I was born in my parent’s bedroom; My sister in the living room. I could tell that my mother not only held her midwife in the highest regard but also loved her. When I was twelve, my closest friend’s mother was planning a home birth. I will never forget waking up in the night and rushing to their home. I watched my mom boil pot after pot of water for the midwives, as they filled the birth tub in her bedroom. This quiet calm fell over them as they worked seamlessly together. As I witnessed the entire process of birth at home, I was amazed. By morning, I knew I wanted to be a midwife.

In pursuit of this, I started my first apprenticeship in 2019 with Santa Fe Midwifery and preceptor Elena Stauss. I adored working with Elena. From her, I learned the steady and loving care that it takes to bring a baby into the world. She developed trust & long lasting connections with her clients & their families. During the three years I trained with Elena, the more eager and determined I became. In 2021, to continue my training I moved to Austin, Texas, to work for a high-volume birth center. This provided me with a different perspective, and added some invaluable experience to my skill set.

Initially the excitement of witnessing a new life enter the world is what drew me to midwifery, but over time my purpose and passion for doing this work has changed. With the current parental health care crisis in the US & a system that often disempowers people; becoming a midwife feels more important than ever before. I have seen through the hands of many midwives that it is possible to return sovereignty and autonomy to birthing people.

It is such an honor to work alongside Ray & Victoria with Refuge Midwifery. I am so excited to discover what this final chapter of my training cultivates in me as a student and future midwife.