KAT MONTGOMERY

I have had the privilege to work
with birthing women and their
families in Ontario, Alberta,
Washington and St. Lucia.
Part of my path to becoming a
midwife included working as a
DONA-certified doula for six years.
After attending Seattle Midwifery
School, I became a BC Registered
Midwife in January 2005.

I feel in my heart that I inherited a belief in women's innate ability to give birth naturally and powerfully from my great-great-grandmother and great-grandmother, both midwives. Clearly this belief has also been passed on by my mother, an obstetrical nurse and doula, who has imparted to me both the spirit and knowledge of birthing women and their attendants: the joy, the mystery, the tears and sometimes grief. Some of my fondest moments have been attending births together with my mother, who is both my greatest supporter and most honest critic.

I was born and raised in Calgary, moving to Israel for my first year of university, then to Kingston to finish a degree in Biology at Queen's. My background includes over a decade of activist work in the reproductive choice and anti- violence movements, including six years as a feminist counselor at the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Ottawa.  My interest in midwifery springs from this grassroots work - with its philosophy of including women as active decision-makers in their own care, facilitating women and their partners to birth in the way that is most natural and fulfilling to them. It is clear to me that the midwifery model of care is integral to empowering woman and creating more loving families and healthy communities.

I am excited to be part of the Pomegranate vision of prioritizing community-centered care and furthering access to quality healthcare for all pregnant women, including those who have traditionally been marginalized. My interests include expanding the scope of midwifery care to include preconception, especially for queer and single woman for whom this is a significant part of the reproductive experience.

Having moved to Vancouver with my partner in February 2004, we became immediately and deeply attached to the seashores and rainforests of the West Coast. In addition to practicing midwifery, I occasionally indulge in quilting, web design, pilates, yoga and frequent walks on the beach. My current extracurricular passion is hanging upside down in my aerial dance class. I have been a co-parent to my partner’s 27-year-old son for 18 years. After enjoying the freedom of being empty-nesters for 8 years, we are currently exploring the idea of having another baby.