Joey Torgrimson, CPM, LMT
I began my journey at Oregon School of Massage. Throughout the next decade I worked in the medical field in addition to my massage practice, as a medical assistant, lab technician, and IV therapy technician. I worked in both allopathic and naturopathic medical settings, and at the National College of Natural Medicine.
I was guided to the service of midwifery by a medical doctor in my family practice. This doctor gave birth to both of her children at home with midwives. She understood that our modern medical culture was changing childbirth. She gently nudged me toward midwifery.
I became a homebirth midwife through a combination of formal study at Birthingway College and apprenticeship study at a local waterbirth center. I am trained in and practice Pelvic Floor Therapy as well, a version of massage therapy specific to treating conditions of the pelvic floor. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies: Cultural Perspectives on Childbearing Families, from Oregon State University. I am now pursuing a Master's Degree in Public Health. Additionally I serve as the Program Manager for the non-profit project MamaBaby Haiti, dedicated to saving lives in childbirth.
As a midwife, I specialize in waterbirth and vaginal birth after cesarean section (VBAC). I also attend breech & twin births at home. As a health care provider, I believe in meeting people where they are. I support clients in creating the picture of health they chose for themselves based on their own values, belief systems, and bodies. I believe in woman centered midwifery care, rather than provider centered care, including "Informed Choice". I believe many of the health complications we experience today are preventable. Therefore, I spend time with my clients helping them find gentle ways to create healthier pregnancies and families.
I am an Oregon native. Although I have traveled to many countries, I have lived here permanently my entire life. I have two daughters, Emma Jo and Olive. We enjoy living in Portland, travel, the outdoors, music, dancing, and surfing (in very thick wetsuits).
Jennifer Pryal, DEM
My early career began in psychology. I started as a volunteer in homeless teen drop in center, and eventually earned a Bachelor’s in Psychology, with emphasis on abuse and trauma, which included work in a mental health facility counseling children and teens.
Eventually I shifted my focus toward nursing and became a Medical Assistant, then a Licensed Practical Nurse. In the hospital I worked in the Emergency Department, Pediatrics, Labor & Delivery, and Trauma. Labor and delivery fascinated me. I became extremely interested in the birthing process. It seemed that our culture had lost touch with birth as a natural process. I didn’t think of birth as a disease, or an injury, yet that seemed to be a common theme in hospital birth. Though the interventions felt excessive and at times unnecessary; seeing life begin over and over impacted me. I wanted to be a part of it, and I wanted to see changes in the way we brought people into the world.
When I became pregnant with my first child, at first I followed the traditional path of hospital birth attended by hospital professionals, including an obstetrician and a nurse midwife. I was so dissatisfied with the medicalization of my pregnancy; I was ready to give up. Then I discovered out of hospital midwives, also called Direct Entry Midwives. They were so supportive, and their care was thorough, intelligent, and holistic. They were very knowledgeable, and thought outside the box. The midwives wanted to know what I wanted and expected out of birth. They were interested in my emotional well-being and community support network. They prepared me for my birth in ways that my previous service providers did not. They helped to dispel some of the myths surrounding birth. They helped me figure out what I could expect, and what I could not predict. The use of "Informed Choice," allowed me to see the risks of doing something or not doing something, providing me with the opportunity to weigh my own risks and make my own choices. Life is not without risk, and pregnancy is an example of this. However, we do have choices about what risks are acceptable to us. The use of "Informed Choice" challenged me to participate in my care and take responsibility for my baby before she was even born.
Their inspirational care and support lead me to pursue midwifery as a career. My education consisted of a combination of formal study, through Ancient Art Midwifery Institute, and apprenticeship with the outstanding team of midwives at Bella Vie Gentle Birth Center.
Just as every birth is unique, so is every woman who gives birth. Women are strong; their bodies are built for birth. I want women and families to have ownership of their birth experience and the decisions they make. It is very important to me that people receive accurate, comprehensive information about what to expect from pregnancy, birth, and postpartum time. Birth is one of the most miraculous experiences for humans, and deserves nothing less than great reverence.
Portland Natural Childbirth - Serving the Portland Metro Area - (971) 238-2388
midwife@portlandnaturalchildbirth.com
