Hi, I’m Jessica McGilvray, Certified Professional Midwife, Certified Lactation Counselor, and Owner of Arkansas Community Midwife. I’m so excited to meet you and support you on your journey.
I have been in birth work over 10 years now, beginning my work as a certified birth and postpartum doula, then training and certifying as a Lactation Counselor, and finally becoming a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) with the North American Registry of Midwives. I am licensed in the State of Arkansas to practice midwifery by the Arkansas Department of Health and follow the Rules and Regulations set forth by the Board of Health.
As a midwife, I am passionate about providing skilled, professional, and individualized care for the women I serve. I believe each woman has unique needs and an individual story to tell, and it is my job to walk alongside providing support and guidance as she makes the choices that are right for herself and her baby. In concordance with the Midwifery Model of Care, I prioritize relationship, continuity, and respectful care, while ensuring appointments are not rushed so that there is plenty of time to answer questions, get to know one another, and build mutual trust and respect.
I am the homeschooling mother of 5 children and proud wife to the man who makes it all possible and supports me in this crazy midwifery journey. When not taking care of my clients, I enjoy reading, fiber crafts of all kinds, and gardening; and I can nearly always be found with a cup of tea.
“Birth is not only about making babies. Birth is about making mothers—strong, competent, capable mothers who trust themselves and know their inner strength.” ~ Barbara Katz Rothman
One of my favorite parts of midwifery is witnessing the transformation women go through as they journey through pregnancy and birth. It never fails to amaze me the strength, courage, and power a woman finds in herself during birth and after as she grows into a mother. This remains true whether it is the first baby or the tenth.
I often hear how lucky I am to get to hold newborn babies all the time. But holding babies is not why I became a midwife. In fact, I rarely hold babies after the birth, focusing on keeping them with their mother. Rather, I became a midwife to hold mothers, to walk beside them and support them in one of the most vulnerable moments of life.
Are you ready to enlist me as part of your birth team? Want to know more about how I can support you on your journey?
What can Arkansas Community Midwife offer you?
- Appointments that aren’t rushed.
- Care tailored to your needs.
- Skilled, professional midwife specializing in community birth.