Karen Benfield, CNM

I am a mix of the old and the new. Lots of folks are Very Surprised that I am a CNM, cause as much as possible, I am very hands off, 'Non-techy' bent. You looking for a midwife who knows how to utilize a fetascope? THAT'S ME. Even if you do want the doppler used at every prenatal visit, I always use the fetascope, first, as it tells me so much more about your baby, placenta, and cord than the doppler. LOL, I'm very hands on when it comes to determining position, presentation, lie, growth, height, etc., etc. I, initially, trained in the 1980s with direct entry, granny midwives, And with CNMs who provided Only Homebirths. I grew up in these mountains and followed along as my family & community members gathered herbs, 'wildcrafted' and helped at numerous animal births. I discovered my 'call' to homebirth midwifery at the guidance and encouragement of the homebirth doc who was the attendee for my first child. I have 4 children (all grown, now). From there, I proceeded to attend many childbirth workshops, nursing school, field walks with botanists, coached numerous women in birthing their babies, attended several breastfeeding support groups, and read professional and empirical/lay midwifery books, etc. I very much enjoy bartering and other innovative methods of payment and of course, CASH. I've even been paid in GOLD! However, I do NOT take Medicaid or insurance...too much/many 'handtwisting' protocols, rules, etc. Over 36 years practicing as a primary midwife, HOMEBIRTHS, only.