Divine Birth Midwifery Indy

05/19/2026

We are very sad to hear that the Indiana Birth Center is closing effective tomorrow 😞 If you know someone that is affected, have them reach out because we may have availability if seeking home birth.

04/19/2026

Appreciate all these remarkable midwives! We periodically get to assemble and share insights :)

03/30/2026

Last minute spots available for anyone wanting to transfer to home birth for May, June or August!

03/13/2026

Home Birth is safe.
🏥>45% less likely to have an unplanned caesarean
🧑🏾‍⚕️>50% less likely to have an instrumental birth
💉70% less likely to have an epidural
👨🏻‍⚕️55% less likely to have an episiotomy
🤰🏿>40% less likely to have a 3/4th degree tear
🏥>40% less likely to have labour augmented (sped up with a hormone drip)
🦠70% lower rate of infection
🩸less likely or no more likely to have PPH (excessive bleeding after birth)
👶🏼As safe as hospital and birth centre births for babies (adverse outcomes in less than 1% of births)

02/26/2026

👏

Sheriff Troy Goodnough is proud to announce the launch of a new doula services program for
incarcerated pregnant and postpartum women in the Monroe County Jail. This initiative, the first
of its kind in a Michigan county sheriff’s office jail, utilizes a community-based model of care to
provide critical social support, childbirth education, and assistance during pregnancy, labor,
delivery, and the postpartum period.

The program was championed by Sheriff Goodnough after learning about similar successful
programs at the National Sheriffs' Association Conference. “We are committed to ensuring that
pregnant women have the necessary resources for a healthy birth,” said Sheriff Goodnough. “By
providing a doula, we aim to improve inmate mental health and lower su***de ideation during an
incredibly high-stress time. This is about providing essential social support and a continuity of
care that helps these women navigate pregnancy and postpartum symptoms. The program will
provide compassionate, supportive care to some of our most vulnerable inmates.”

The Sheriff’s Office has partnered with Emily Richter of Parade Birth Services LLC to serve as
the program’s doula. The program will operate as a key component of the Monroe County
Sheriff's Office Family Support Services Unit (FSSU).

The initiative also includes collaboration with local organizations to provide community
resources as inmates are released from custody, including:

●Monroe County Health Department: Offering referrals for the Maternal Infant Health
Program, Women Infants and Children (WIC), Breastfeeding Support, and the Helping
Baby Grow program.

●Selah’s House: T.H.R.I.V.E. residential program for expecting mothers of all ages.
Selah’s House offers physical, emotional, spiritual, and educational support through each
stage of pregnancy. Selah’s House also provides education and career skills to help guide
residents into independent living.

01/26/2026

URGENT!! INDIANA MIDWIVES NEED YOUR HELP!! There is a bill in the works to remove needed midwifery committee. Please take a moment to use the template below or write your own message and send it to Rep Bartles H74@iga.in.gov as well as the Representative in your own district!

———

Please send this to your representative.

You can also email Author of the Bill- Steve Bartels

H74@iga.in.gov

Dear Representative [Last Name],

I am a constituent writing to oppose the provision in HB 1003 that would eliminate the Midwifery Committee. Certified Direct Entry Midwives provide essential care across Indiana, especially as access to obstetric services continues to decline. Eliminating this committee would reduce appropriate oversight and harm maternal and infant care.

I respectfully urge you to oppose this provision of HB 1003.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[City or District]

Find your district-

https://iga.in.gov/information/find-legislators

01/24/2026

MEET INDY’S NEWEST MIDWIFE! She did it! Lacey Powell, CPM. Around 4 1/2 years ago this woman came into my life introduced by my beloved colleague, Cassandra, and has been by my side at just about every birth since! Her dedication and hard working nature, call and steady presence made for a great wingman. And then when the time came for her to jump into the primary role, she continued to thrive bringing her numerous assets to the table. She’s blossomed into a fabulous midwife and Indy is lucky to have her! Blessed to be a part of training a 3rd local Indy midwife. 💗

01/16/2026

Meet Our Birth Assistant & Office Manager extraordinaire, Laura Shackelford!! Laura Shackelford serves as our birth assistant, office manager, and phlebotomist with midwife Shannon. She brings a deep passion for physiological birth and a strong commitment to supporting families through informed, compassionate, and evidence-based care.
Laura is DONA trained, a certified phlebotomist, and trained in Spinning Babies® and the Body Ready Method® (BRM). She is currently working toward becoming a certified BRM pro-teacher and looks forward to incorporating body awareness, preparedness, and movement into her work through movement, understanding and a holistic, divinely guided birth practice.
She loves all things birth and is especially passionate about home birth. She firmly believes that women’s bodies are created to do this amazing work and deserve trust, respect, and support.
Laura has also spent two months serving in a rural hospital in Bangladesh, where she supported approximately 200 women through birth—an experience that deeply shaped her perspective on global maternal care and the strength of birthing women across cultures.
Outside of her work, Laura enjoys growing in her faith and investing in her community. She loves the outdoors and travel, especially skiing, hiking, kayaking, and experiencing different cultures around the world. She is supported by a wonderful and understanding husband, has four grown children, and is a proud grandmother to twelve grandchildren.

01/16/2026

Our office space is conveniently located on the south side of Indy off 65 in Southport!

https://divinebirthmidwifery.com/contact