Kristen Keylich

At the beginning of my journey, I wanted to work with kids. I considered teaching, but was inspired to become a nurse by my mom. During nursing school, I fell in love with working with kids and in birth. I chose to work with kids first. I lived and worked in Texas and then travelled to work in Denver, Seattle, then Delaware. After six years, I decided to change and explore birth. I began working in labor and delivery at the hospital. I was surprised by how quickly and how strongly I became passionate about all things pregnancy, labor, and birth. Also, by how discouraged I became with what I saw in the hospital. I did not need to be told that our bodies know what they’re doing and that birth works. It was hard for me to understand why the people I worked with did not believe that birth would work without intervention. All that I saw weighed down my heart and I didn’t know how to change a system of belief.  

Then one day, I read a comment from a birth assistant that felt home birth was safer for people than the hospital. I had no experience in home birth, but this felt true to me the moment I read it. I began my search for home birth midwives. I found Karen and asked if she would allow me to be her birth assistant. The timing worked out perfectly, she was looking for one. After the first few prenatal appointments and births I assisted at, I knew that this was what I was looking for. People were in their home environments, they felt safe and supported, there were no interventions for intervention’s sake, and there was trust and love in birth.

I worked in the hospital for two years, while assisting Karen for a year and a half, when I finally knew where my path would lead. I decided to begin the work to become a certified professional midwife. I joined the National College of Midwifery, left the hospital, and began working part time at The Birth Center while learning under Karen. As my training progressed, I transitioned to working with Karen completely.  

As I learn, I am constantly amazed at the strength, beauty, and power in birth. I am honored to bear witness to these sacred moments, to hold space and support our community, and to be training with a mentor such as Karen. When I am not studying, I am growing vegetables in our garden, playing with our dogs, or finding new projects to work on with my partner Drew.