LESLIE GUNNING

My interest in midwifery was first
sparked about 8 years ago after
spending time with close friends who
were expecting their first child. During
these last weeks of their pregnancy
I did a lot of belly rubbing and foot
massaging and was eventually hit by
the revelation that I should become
a midwife. It was that simple.

Once I made the decision to follow the path to becoming a midwife my desire to educate and empower women and families through their childbearing experience began to grow. From early on I have believed that all women deserve to have fulfilling and joyful birth experiences and as a midwife I am devoted to supporting women and families from all walks of life in achieving this.

In 2006, after a number of years of volunteering with mothers and families and providing doula services I decided to leave my home in Nelson, BC and move to New Zealand to commence my formal midwifery education. I spent three years in this beautiful country and had the privilege of working with a diverse array of women and families in a variety of settings (home, rural birth centers, and in hospital), with emphasis on providing continuity of care and holistic, gentle care. While in New Zealand, I had the opportunity to volunteer at a not-for-profit birth center in Ubud, Bali. The time I spent there working with Balinese families greatly enriched my midwifery practice and I hope to spend more time in the future working in underdeveloped and underserved countries.

I have been back home in BC since March 2009, after becoming registered as a midwife in New Zealand in November of 2008. It feels great to be back home and I am very excited about joining Pomegranate Community Midwives in December of 2009.