Meet Our Midwives

Prior to completing the Midwifery Education Program at McMaster University, I obtained a Bachelor of Arts in International Development from the University of Guelph. It was during this time that I became passionate about reproductive rights and improving access to reproductive health care. This passion spurred my decision to pursue a career in midwifery. It feels like everything has come full circle as I find myself back in this vibrant community as a practising midwife. When I’m not catching babies, I love traveling, cooking good food, tending to my plants, and being outside.

Hello!

I’m a Graduate of the Midwifery Education Program at McMaster University. Originally, I grew up on an isolated homestead in Northern Alberta and progressively moved to larger and lager cities including Calgary, where I received a BA in Behavioural Sciences in 2003 and ran a youth housing program for homeless teens at the Canadian Red Cross. I moved to Hong Kong after being bit by wanderlust. I was in Hong Kong for 4 years where I taught ESL in a local kindergarten and was happy to build long term relationships with my students and their families. During my time in Hong Kong, I had an extremely positive experience with my midwife which lead me to the path of midwifery. I made the leap to return to Canada and start my studies to become a midwife. I’m supported by my wonderful family. When I’m not working, I like to relax with knitting and embroidery. I am delighted to care for families in Guelph, a perfectly sized city.

Hello! My name is Dieneke Kouwen. As my Dutch name suggests, I was born and raised in the Netherlands where midwives are seen as the primary professionals who care for women during pregnancy, labour and birth. Growing up around this unique maternity system ingrained in me the normalcy of birth. With two older siblings as well as four little brothers, my mother’s midwife was a well-known and much loved person in our home. In the last 15 years I have had the chance to live in various countries and cultures around the world and have gained many new perspectives on birth and life in general. I received my initial schooling and certification as a midwife through an American accredited college and completed additional training through Ryerson University in order to be licensed in Canada as well. I have worked as a midwife in London, Ontario since 2016 but moved to the Guelph area early 2021. I am looking forward to join Family Midwifery Care and the lovely community they serve!

It gives me great joy to be providing midwifery care alongside the midwives and community at Family Midwifery Care of Guelph. I graduated with academic distinction from the Midwifery Education Program at Ryerson University. My interest in pursuing this work is rooted in reproductive rights and social justice. I love supporting people to make informed and empowered choices throughout their pregnancy and birth. I was born into the hands of midwives before regulation, and am thrilled to be bringing this work full circle. Prior to becoming a midwife I attended the University of Guelph for women’s studies and anthropology, and worked on the development and creation of the Toronto Birth Centre. I look forward to meeting you and your family!

I have chosen the path of midwifery to combine evidence-based medicine with compassionate, client-centred care. I am committed to providing individualized and empowering care to all families, and situating this care within the broader movement for accessible health care. I have been with Family Midwifery Care since 2013 upon graduating from the Midwifery Education Program at McMaster University. I also have a Biology degree from the University of Guelph. I have apprenticed with ob/gyns, lactation consultants, social workers as well as many other wise mentors along my path. I am blessed with two children, and I enjoy dancing, gardening, travelling, and supporting community projects. I look forward to being a part of this special experience for you and your family.

Prior to completing her Midwifery degree at Ryerson University, Isomi worked in social services for many years and has a Master’s degree in Education. Her past experiences include, equity work, community development, and counselling. She has always been interested in reproductive justice and providing individual and family centred care. She feels privileged to be a part of such an important time in pregnant people’s lives. Isomi is thrilled to be providing quality care in her home community. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, travelling, and hiking.

I am very excited to be joining the team at Family Midwifery Care! I’ve lived in Guelph for most of my life, and being able to provide midwifery care to people in my community is a dream come true. I have been passionate about birth and reproductive justice since taking a women’s studies course with a midwife during my undergrad, and I am so humbled and honoured to be able to join you for part of your journey. Before I did this, I did my BA at Carleton in English Literature and Women’s Studies, and my MA in Immigration and Settlement Studies at Ryerson—my research focused on how midwives in Ontario provided care to uninsured immigrant women. Places I call home include: Guelph, Ottawa, and Sri Lanka. In my free time, I enjoy playing with other people’s cats, baking, and participating in various forms of competitive trivia.

Hi! My name is Jenny Knoll and I am a 2019 graduate of McMaster University’s Midwifery Education Program. I came to midwifery after studying Anthropology, and then working in obstetrical research as well as a number of odd jobs. I started my career in Hamilton, Ontario where I went to school, and got my midwife sea legs. I find so much joy providing care to diverse families at such a profound time in their lives, and the unpredictable schedule of birth work feeds my passion for adventure and means that no day is ever the same. I put this passion to work supporting Indigenous midwifery in Northern communities including Nipissing First Nation and Puvirnituq, Nunavik, and have also spent time midwifing in East and southern Africa. After some time up North, I am excited to return to the Dish With One Spoon Territory of the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinabeg and allied Nations to work with Family Midwifery Care of Guelph and join my own family. In my free time, you’ll find me camping, climbing, cooking, spending time with my rambunctious nieces and nephews, or curled up with a good book. I look forward to meeting you and your family!

My name is Jerren Helwig and I am happy to be working with Family Midwifery Care. I completed the International Pre Registration Program from Ryerson University and completed a three- month clerkship with Markham Stouffville Midwives in 2010. Then, I enjoyed serving families in York and Durham Region while at Uxbridge Community midwives 2011-2013. Prior to moving to Canada in 2009, I practiced in the United States in the Midwest States as a Certified Professional Midwife attending home births since 2000. My specialty was water births. I enjoyed being a community midwife and I look forward to being involved with this community as well. I feel privileged to be able to provide care in both hospital and home settings. I have an awesome, supportive family including my four children, who I birthed at home (3 in water!). My favourite part of midwifery is participating, through providing information and encouragement, in the transformation of women through childbirth and breastfeeding. I am current with my registration with the College of Midwives of Ontario and with all required certifications: CPR, NRP and Emergency Skills. I follow the guidelines established by the College of Midwives and attend conferences and workshops to keep current with the latest research and events related to the profession of midwifery. I look forward to serving you and your family on your journey through pregnancy and beyond.

I joined Family Midwifery Care after completing the Midwifery Education Programme at McMaster in 2004. Before becoming a midwife, I completed a degree in Biology and Native Studies at Trent University, and made Peterborough my home for several years. I enjoyed working as a park naturalist and for the Ministry of Natural Resources, but I found I was still dreaming of becoming a midwife. I followed my heart to become a midwife, and I love sharing in the experience of pregnancy, birth and parenting with the families of Guelph and Centre Wellington. I love this vibrant community and the fact that I get to see “my” babies around town!

My inspiration to becoming a midwife came during the birth of my daughter to the hands of a midwife. who empowered me to have trust, courage and strength. What she gave to me, I felt I needed to give back to others and I’m extremely excited to have the opportunity to care for the families in Guelph at Family Midwifery Care. After growing up in the States and completing a Bachelors of Science degree, I moved to Canada, became a permanent resident and as soon as possible a Canadian Citizen. I went back to school and graduated the Midwifery Education Program from McMaster University in 2012, where I was able to travel and work in Ghana once during the program and once as a volunteer after becoming a midwife. I’ve also worked in communities in Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph, Cambridge, Hamilton and Woodstock. I have a super supportive partner and two wonderful children. We all enjoy community, making music, traveling, laughing and enjoying life.