Congratulations on your pregnancy! We know first hand that this journey of growing your family can be simultaneously exciting, overwhelming, scary and joy filled. Our hope is to partner with you and your family in order to provide you with the information, support, knowledge and reassurance that you need to feel fully equipped to welcome this new phase of life.
We are passionate about this beautiful place we call home, and about ensuring that all families have access to their choice of maternity care provider in their own home community. We also believe that pregnancy and birth are both normal and tremendously significant times in the life of the individual, the family, and in the wider community. It is a privilege and a gift to share these unique and profound experiences with the families of Sooke.
We are passionate about this beautiful place we call home, and about ensuring that all families have access to their choice of maternity care provider in their own home community. We also believe that pregnancy and birth are both normal and tremendously significant times in the life of the individual, the family, and in the wider community. It is a privilege and a gift to share these unique and profound experiences with the families of Sooke.
Uta Herold, Registered midwife
With her mother being a midwife, Uta got in touch with the profession in her earliest childhood. At five years of age she found her calling and decided to become a midwife.
In 1981, she graduated from the midwifery program at the university in Magdeburg, Germany, a school with a history of more than 230 years of midwifery education. She has worked as a midwife ever since and has attended approximately 2500 births to date.
Within her midwifery practice, she has also worked as a prenatal class instructor and a Pelvic Floor Class instructor. In 1995, she graduated from a three year program in Classical Homeopathy, and in 2006 attended a one year program in Traditional Chinese Medicine with a focus in obstetrics. Uta includes her knowledge and experience in these complementary therapies whenever it is indicated and meets the interests of her clients.
Her passion for this special profession is nourished by every birth she attends. Being able to share this unique and profound experience with women and their families is a great gift for Uta that never becomes routine.
Uta is a mother of two boys, born in 1999 and 2001.
In 1981, she graduated from the midwifery program at the university in Magdeburg, Germany, a school with a history of more than 230 years of midwifery education. She has worked as a midwife ever since and has attended approximately 2500 births to date.
Within her midwifery practice, she has also worked as a prenatal class instructor and a Pelvic Floor Class instructor. In 1995, she graduated from a three year program in Classical Homeopathy, and in 2006 attended a one year program in Traditional Chinese Medicine with a focus in obstetrics. Uta includes her knowledge and experience in these complementary therapies whenever it is indicated and meets the interests of her clients.
Her passion for this special profession is nourished by every birth she attends. Being able to share this unique and profound experience with women and their families is a great gift for Uta that never becomes routine.
Uta is a mother of two boys, born in 1999 and 2001.
Crystal Herie, Registered midwife
Crystal has been working in the birth world for over a decade now. She started her career as a doula in 2010, supporting Sooke families transition into parenthood. With a dedication for providing local resources she was involved in the start up of the Sooke breastfeeding support group, and Sooke positive birth group. In 2016 Crystal was accepted into the UBC Midwifery program, which she graduated from in May 2020. The program provided her with many learning opportunities, from rural and remote work in Haida Gwaii, to following obstetricians with complex maternity cases. Crystal joined the Sooke midwifery family in 2020, and she could not be happier working with families while rising her two children in the community that she has called home for the past 18 years. Passions that fill Crystal's cup include offering out reach care by traveling to Port Renfrew and offering antenatal and postpartum care to families in their community, and working with people who have previously had a cesarean section and would like to attempt a vaginal delivery with their current pregnancy. She is forever thankful to the families who she is blessed to care for during such a vulnerable and transitional time.
JULIE BOWSER, REGISTERED MIDWIFE
Julie (she/her/hers) is a white settler of european ancestry living and working on the traditional and unceded Te'mexw territory of the T'sou-ke Nation. She is honoured to be joining Sooke Midwifery and doing birth work here with Crystal Herie and Uta Herald. Julie was introduced to midwifery in 2014 with her nephew’s birth. She was inspired by how her sister’s pregnancy and birth was an empowering experience. Julie shadowed a traditional Maya
midwife in rural Guatemala in 2015-2016 for several months before deciding to pursue a degree in midwifery at the University of British Columbia. Through the course of her education she has had the privilege of attending births in Victoria, the Sunshine Coast, Vancouver and the Tri-Cities area. She continues to be drawn to the practice for its community-based, client-centred approach.
Julie is passionate about reproductive justice and working towards equitable and accessible health care systems. When not being a midwife, she enjoys paddling and ocean dips! Julie has deep gratitude for the opportunity to be alongside you and your family during this intimate and transformative journey.