Meet The Midwives

Guelph Midwives is a collective of practitioners focused on promoting normal birth and client-centred care throughout pregnancy and into the postpartum. All of our Midwives are registered with the College of Midwives of Ontario and maintain current certifications in CPR, NRP and Emergency skills. Click on each pod below to see team members.

Guelph Midwives is also a teaching practice. Each team of midwives is complemented by the involvement of a student. By welcoming student involvement, you are helping to grow the midwifery profession!

Pod A Pod B Pod C Pod D Pod E Pod F

IWONA KEMPA

Iwona Kempa received her midwifery education in Poland. She graduated from Midwifery College in 1987 and worked in a Level 3 Obstetrical Hospital in Warsaw. During her five years of work in Poland, she conducted over 200 deliveries. In Canada, she successfully completed the Midwifery Prior Learning Assessment in 1998. Iwona joined Guelph Midwives in 2000 and has attended over 1100 births as a primary and secondary midwife. Iwona was Chief of the Department of Midwifery at Guelph General Hospital between 2006-2012. She also held the position as chair of the Obstetrical Quality Care Committee at Guelph General Hospital for 6 years. She is a Partner with Guelph Midwives.

Olivia Mickie

Olivia (Liv) graduated from McMaster University’s midwifery program in 2024. During her senior year she worked with Pod A and is so excited to join them. Prior to entering midwifery, Liv completed a Bachelor of Science with a Specialization in Kinesiology at Queen’s University. This degree lead her to find her passion of reproductive healthcare. In her off call time you can find her exploring local hikes, trying out new recipes and cuddling her dogs

SHANA BLACKBURN

Shana Blackburn graduated from the Midwifery Education Programme at McMaster University in 2003 and has been practicing with Guelph Midwives since that time. Prior to obtaining her degree in Health Sciences in Midwifery from McMaster, she studied for two years at the University of Guelph majoring in Biology with a focus of electives in Women’s Studies. Shana was drawn to midwifery at a young age after attending several births while still in high school and witnessing midwives at work. After over a decade of practice, Shana remains passionate about her work as a midwife. Shana has volunteered her time on several leadership committees at Guelph General Hospital including the Maternal Newborn Quality Team. In her free time, she loves going on canoe trips with her family and hiking with her dog. Shana lives in Guelph with her partner and two children.

LEAH BARRIAGE

Leah Barriage graduated from the Midwifery Education Program at McMaster University in 2017. She had an interest in pregnancy and birth since a young age and realized she could turn her interest into a career after discovering midwifery. Throughout her midwifery education, Leah completed placements all over Southern Ontario, including working with midwives, nurses, social workers and obstetricians. Following her senior year at Guelph Midwives, Leah was thrilled to join the team as a registered midwife. She is excited to continue working in the Guelph area, supporting families as they grow!

Laura Duivesteyn

Laura Duivesteyn graduated from the Midwifery Education Program at McMaster in 2013, and has previously worked in the Peel and Halton Hills Regions. She is thrilled to be working in Guelph and the surrounding area, and getting to support so many families. Midwifery is a passion and career that allows Laura to combine her love of science and biology with people-connecting and emotional work. She hopes that her care allows families to feel empowered, educated, and encouraged as they go through this unique time in their lives.

In her home life, Laura lives with her husband and their four energetic (and in her opinion, hilarious) children. They try to get outdoors as much as possible, camping in the summer, and snowy walks and bird watching in the winter. Laura will never say no to a good cup of coffee, discussing a favourite book, or trying to bake a new recipe.

SARAH CRESSMAN

Sarah Cressman (she/her) graduated from the Midwifery Education Program at Laurentian University in 2005. She practiced midwifery in downtown Toronto for 6 years and joined Guelph Midwives in 2012. Sarah seeks to provide compassionate care that is from a trauma-informed and anti-oppressive framework. She has a special interest in perinatal mental health and welcomes working with parents in the LGBTQIA community.
Sarah lives in Guelph with her young children.

Katy Saffery

Katy Saffery graduated from the Midwifery Education Program at Toronto Metropolitan University in 2019. She did her first 1.5 years of practice at Orillia Midwives before joining Guelph Midwives in January 2021. Prior to studying midwifery, Katy did an honors bachelor degree in History with a minor in Classical Literature and Languages at the University of Guelph, a masters in History at the University of Guelph, and a bachelor of education at Laurier University. Katy grew up in the Ottawa Valley but has been a part of the lovely Guelph community since 2000 and is thrilled to be once again settled here. Despite taking some time to get on the midwifery path, Katy knew she wanted to be a midwife from a very young age. Midwifery felt like a good fit because it allows care providers to work using their hands, their minds, and their hearts; there is always something new to learn; and every person and situation is unique. For Katy, the focus of her work is her clients: having the privilege of getting to know them personally, developing trust through compassion, working with them to meet their specific needs and goals, empowering them in choice, and being with them as they journey through enormous transition and growth.

LAUREN MOLYNEAUX

Lauren Molyneaux graduated from the Midwifery Education Programme at McMaster University in 2016. Prior to working as a Registered Midwife, Lauren obtained her degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2009 and worked as a Registered Nurse in many areas of nursing including home and hospital settings in the Guelph area. It was during this time she went on a mission’s trip to Costa Rica where she started the path of midwifery as she thrived on witnessing and helping guide women through this natural part of life. Since graduating from Midwifery, she has since worked in the Waterloo and Wellington regions. She has and continues to feel privileged to witness a woman’s journey into motherhood as well as welcoming children into families lives. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her partner and son outside exploring on land or on water. When not outside, Lauren enjoys being curled up knitting with a hot tea in hand.

LEAH SIEBERT

Leah Seibert (she/her) has been a midwife since 2008, when she received her Bachelors of Midwifery from the University of British Columbia. She practiced midwifery in Vancouver until 2022, and also taught emergency and newborn resuscitation skills to student midwives and registered midwives for many years in BC.

To Leah, midwifery is both an art and a science, a career and a calling. She feels honoured to be able to accompany families along their journeys of pregnancy, birth and early parenting. Having grown up in Guelph, she is very pleased to be returning to her roots and is excited to become re-acquainted with the city and region.

MICHELINE MOONEY

Hello! My name is Micheline Mooney (she/her). I am a recent graduate of the Midwifery Program at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University). I am honoured to be joining the team here in Guelph/Elora, the community my family and I are proud to call home. My journey to Midwifery began when I was preparing to welcome my first child. At that time two things were very clear to me. Firstly, I wanted to have a meaningful relationship with the people who would guide me through this highly personal and often transformational experience. Secondly, I believed passionately in the power of birth and the unique place it holds in the lives of individuals, families and communities. And so began my love affair with Midwifery! Following those initial insights, I left my career in the post-secondary school system, and began my pursuit of Midwifery education. This journey has included working in Guelph, Cambridge, Hamilton, Sarnia and Kitchener-Waterloo. Outside of Midwifery, I enjoy perusing Farmer’s Markets, doing yoga, cooking & eating, film festivals and good, strong coffee! I am also a parent to four authentic kids ages 18, 15, 13 and 11, who were all born into the hands of midwives. I feel privileged to be here and look forward to meeting each of you!!

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Madeleine McConnell

Hello! My name is Madeleine McConnell (she/ her) and I am so excited to be joining Pod D at Guelph Midwives. I have been working as a midwife in Huron County for the past 5 and a half years, enjoying the high home birth rate, rural health care, and living right on Lake Huron. I also have experience working in a remote community in Northern Quebec, and feel honoured to be able to provide care in this low resource setting. Prior to completing my Bachelor of Health Sciences in Midwifery in 2019, I attended the University of Guelph to study Child and Youth Development. I was a student at Guelph Midwives in 2018, and am thrilled to be returning to a community that I know and love.

I first resonated with the core values of Midwifery- the coming together of evidence based practice, informed choice, bodily autonomy, social justice and empowerment. It will always be a privilege and joy to bear witness to the strength and uniqueness of families during this transformative season of life.

I look forward to getting to know you and your family, and joining the amazing team at Guelph Midwives!

GLORIA GIRARD

Gloria Girard I learned so much from my own midwives about choice, and compassionate, empowering care. It was after my own childbearing experiences that I decided to pursue this amazing career of midwifery. I’ve since had the opportunities to work in the GTA, Waterloo & Wellington regions, and with a short spell in Nunavut. In each of these places I have loved welcoming new families into being, in all their diversity. When not working, I try to take full advantage of the surrounding wild places with hiking and foraging plants, or just hunting vintage and catching up on reading.
I look forward to meeting you all and being part of your care!

NATALIE DYKSTRA

Natalie (Godwin) Dykstra graduated from McMaster University with a degree in Health Sciences (Midwifery) in 2019. Following her senior year with Pod F working both in Guelph and Fergus locations, she was hired to officially join the team. Spending her childhood overseas she has a respect for diversity and the commonalities humans share. Prior to becoming a midwife, Natalie previously worked as a research scientist at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) in Ottawa studying gut health and probiotic use for babies born via caesarian section. She received her Master’s degree in biochemistry at the University of Ottawa in 2006 working in Crohn’s and Colitis research. She is published and has delivered talks at pediatric conferences in North America discussing the microbiome. Her fascination with human biology and the birth process, combined with a passion for informed choice is what led Natalie to become a midwife. She is honoured to be part of such a supportive team of healthcare providers. When not catching babies, Natalie may be found spending time with her partner and daughters camping with boardgames and a coffee in hand.

OLIVIA BOWMAN

Olivia (Liv) Bowman graduated from the Midwifery Education Program at McMaster University in 2023. Prior to coming to midwifery, Liv studied at Lakehead University where she received an Honours Bachelor of Kinesiology and played varsity volleyball. Afterwards she moved to Calgary, Alberta to work, explore the city, and hike as many mountains as she could. Throughout the Midwifery Education Program, she had placements throughout southern Ontario including Hamilton, Sarnia, and London. She ended the program in Guelph after spending her senior year with both Pod F and Pod E. She was thrilled to join the team as a registered midwife after she graduated. Liv currently lives in Fergus with her partner. When not catching babies, Liv enjoys spending time with family and friends, knitting, playing volleyball, thrifting, and a good cup of coffee.

Liv is very passionate about holistic, compassionate, and client-centered midwifery care. She looks forward to meeting you all and being a part of your journey!

GABRIELLE HAMMOND-KANNEGIETER

Gabrielle Hammond-Kannegieter graduated from midwifery school in Heerlen, the Netherlands, in 1993. She worked in both solo and group practices, attending both home and hospital births. Gabrielle immigrated to Canada in 1995 and now lives in Elora with her husband, four children and sixteen animals. She became eligible for Ontario registration through the Prior Learning Assessment program of the College of Midwives of Ontario, and was registered in June 1997. She has attended over 1200 births. Gabrielle is one of the founding members and partner with Guelph Midwives and past liaison Midwife at Groves Memorial Community Hospital in Fergus.

Mitra Razi

Mitra Razi, Registered Midwife. I began my interest in women’s health and desire to help others learn about choices and alternatives in childbirth when I witnessed my sister giving birth at home. In 1993, I graduated from Midwifery program in Tehran University, Iran as an honor student and have practiced midwifery in the hospital and birth center settings for three years. After immigrating to Canada, I successfully completed the Prior Learning Assessment Program of the College of Midwives of Ontario in 1999 and was registered in June 2000. Since then, I have been honored to support many women in GTA to achieve their pregnancy and birth choices by providing midwifery care in its fullest scope, where choices for women and the care they receive are optimal. As an adjunct professor at Ryerson University, I have taught many midwifery students and received “Excellence in Clinical Teaching” award in 2018. I also have received my Yellow Belt LEAN certification in 2017 which reinforced my knowledge about quality of care in health care services. I have two children. My daughter Nellie was born in 1998 and my son Brandon in 2006 who was caught in the hands of a midwife. I speak Farsi and English and when not catching babies, I enjoy travel and outdoor pursuits.