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 home community. We 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.
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 work here with Norah Macy and Uta Herold. 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.
Norah Macy
Registered Midwife
Norah (she/her) is a settler of English and Irish descent, and is grateful to be living and working on the unceded territories of the T’sou-ke and Pacheedaht Nations and serving Sooke and the surrounding areas as a registered midwife.
Norah’s approach to midwifery is built on a foundation of informed choice, personal relationships, and a holistic approach to health. Norah brings a balance of clinical knowledge and warm support to her practice through her background in biology (BSc ‘11, UBC) and research, and her years of experience as a birth doula supporting low resourced and new immigrant families.
Norah’s passion and research accomplishments as a midwifery student earned her recognition as a Wesbrook Scholar, one of UBC’s most prestigious awards for academic achievement and community contribution. A tool she developed with UBC’s Birth Place Lab to help hospitals better support the natural processes of birth is now being used in over 100 hospitals in the U.S. and has been recognized internationally.
When not working you’ll find Norah outside exploring the West Coast with her partner, daughter, and dog. Norah is deeply grateful to have found her passion in midwifery and is thankful for every day she gets to walk alongside families as they grow.