Baby+Company is thrilled to be open in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Their grand opening welcomed 200+ people into the birth center. If you weren’t able to make it they invite you to stop by for tour and complimentary consultation. In the meantime get to know their team of midwives:
Laura Thielke MSN, CNM
I am very excited to be onboard with Baby+Company and getting back to where my passion is with natural childbirth.
My nursing journey started at The Children’s Hospital on the Oncology/BMT unit where I felt blessed to take care of such incredible children. Following the birth of my first child, I knew midwifery was where I was suppose to end up. After 10 years of working with children, I made the switch to the other end of the life spectrum which has been just as equal of a blessing. As a CU graduate, I have worked in both a free standing birth center as well as a hospital setting as a CNM. My heart lies with educating and empowering women through their normal life cycles. I feel honored to be a part of such an intimate miracle in a woman’s life.
On a personal note, I have an amazing husband and 3 beautiful children. In my free time I enjoy reading, running, biking and snowboarding.
Susan Mitchell MSN, CNM
Hello! I am honored to be a part of Baby + Company and look forward to meeting our new Wheat Ridge community!
I have been working with birthing families for ten years in the roles of labor and delivery nurse, childbirth educator, and nurse-midwife. I have a BA from CU, a BSN from the Medical University of South Carolina, and a MSN from Frontier Nursing University. Upon becoming a midwife in 2013, I worked in a full scope, hospital-based, midwifery practice until this past fall. I live in Boulder with my husband and two children. When not at work, I enjoy being outdoors, great food and music, and time with my friends and family.
I became a midwife because I believe that childbirth can be empowering and transformative, that women are strong and capable, and that our birth experiences matter deeply. It is a privilege to care for women and babies and I look forward to supporting you during this precious time!
Jen Matera MA, BSN, RN
Hello! I am excited to begin a new chapter of my nursing journey with Baby+Company supporting physiological birth and choice for families seeking options for natural birth.
I began my journey into the world of birth support in 2003 after the birth of my first daughter, which inspired me to become a doula. I am a trained Antepartum and Postpartum Doula and a certified Labor and Birth Doula. I am also a certified Happiest Baby on the Block instructor and have extensive experience teaching Childbirth Education, Breastfeeding, and Newborn Care classes. I love working with expecting and new families!
I have experience as an RN in a freestanding birth center, and worked for four years as a doula on staff and four years as an RN on a Mother/Baby/Gynecology unit cross-trained to Labor and Delivery in the hospital. I am currently a student Nurse Midwife at Frontier Nursing University. I am a champion of Family Centered Cesarean! In my “spare” time, I operate the Family Centered Cesarean blog and Facebook page, and speak regularly on this important topic. I am also co-owner of Cocoon Birth, the largest doula agency in Denver, and enjoy offering advanced practice trainings to doulas along the Front Range. I live in Arvada, CO with my husband, three beautiful children, and aging border collie. I am an avid outdoorswoman and hold a Master’s Degree in Experiential and Adventure Education from my past life as a wilderness guide and WEMT. I also enjoy DIY projects and being crafty, sampling my husband’s gourmet cooking, playing music with my kids, and reading an endless number of research studies on birth and babies.
Tracy Ryan CNM, MS
Tracy joined Baby+Company in April 2014 as Director of Midwifery after founding a successful Birth Center in Colorado. She holds a Certificate in Midwifery from Frontier Nursing University and was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2012 from FNU. Tracy also has an MS in Midwifery from Philadelphia University. Her midwifery experience includes attending over 500 births in out-of-hospital settings and over 200 births attended in hospital-based practice. Tracy believes in teaching the Midwifery Model of Care and has precepted dozens of midwifery students and residents. Her areas of expertise include low-intervention and physiologic birth, waterbirth and the newborn effects of early skin-to-skin contact. Tracy comes to Baby+Company with a strong background in obstetric evidence-based care and knowledge that the Midwifery Model of Care and Birth Centers have the ability to optimize the health of mothers and babies.
Joanna Brown MBA, BSN, RN
As Wheat Ridge’s Practice Manager it is my responsibility and pleasure to run the birth center operations and strategic direction. I am here to ensure that your experience at Baby+Company is personal, individualized, and wonderful. I feel honored to work in such an amazing setting!
I am truly passionate about women and children’s health and our birth center model of care, and have always hoped to work in this space. Prior to Baby+Company, I spent my career working as a NICU nurse clinician. I was blessed to be able to care for infants and their families during difficult and vulnerable times. As a charge nurse, I worked at the crossroads of healthcare and business, managing a staff to achieve both health and economic returns for patients, employees and external stakeholders. I bring a wealth of knowledge from the healthcare industry to the Baby+Company team through my interest in organizational behavior and management as well as strategic planning. I received a BA in Psychology from The College of St. Benedict, a BS in Nursing from the University of Arizona, and an MBA from the University of Colorado, Boulder.
I live in the Denver area with my husband and our Iraqi dog, Fugee. I absolutely love this state and all of its beauty. I am so excited to be a part of the Baby+Company team, and to bring the Baby+Company experience to Colorado!
Joanna Brown MBA, BSN, RN
As Wheat Ridge’s Practice Manager it is my responsibility and pleasure to run the birth center operations and strategic direction. I am here to ensure that your experience at Baby+Company is personal, individualized, and wonderful. I feel honored to work in such an amazing setting!
I am truly passionate about women and children’s health and our birth center model of care, and have always hoped to work in this space. Prior to Baby+Company, I spent my career working as a NICU nurse clinician. I was blessed to be able to care for infants and their families during difficult and vulnerable times. As a charge nurse, I worked at the crossroads of healthcare and business, managing a staff to achieve both health and economic returns for patients, employees and external stakeholders. I bring a wealth of knowledge from the healthcare industry to the Baby+Company team through my interest in organizational behavior and management as well as strategic planning. I received a BA in Psychology from The College of St. Benedict, a BS in Nursing from the University of Arizona, and an MBA from the University of Colorado, Boulder.
I live in the Denver area with my husband and our Iraqi dog, Fugee. I absolutely love this state and all of its beauty. I am so excited to be a part of the Baby+Company team, and to bring the Baby+Company experience to Colorado!
About Baby+Company
Baby+Company recognizes that having a baby is an important life event, not just a clinical encounter. They want women and their families to have what they need to take care of themselves and their baby. They offer wellness services and classes including: yoga, massage, childbirth education, breastfeeding support, newborn care and more. Their midwives spend the time it takes to get to know each patient and build close personal relationships with their family. They develop customized care plans that address personal health needs. They are available 24/7; will be by a patient’s side throughout labor; and will visit them at home after they deliver. And yes, they accept all major insurance plans! Find out more information about Baby+Company here. 7777 West 38th Ave., Wheat Ridge, CO. In partnership with Mile High Mamas.
Author: Mile High Mamas
Katy
I popped in at the open house and was so impress with the staff and facility. Hoping to go there when I’m pregnant next time around.
Sally
Do you have to give birth here to do the classes? I’m assuming ‘no.’
Nicole
Hi Sally – the classes are open to all. Thank you.