Karen Webster, CPM, LM

Karen began her work with women’s health and birth in 1979. Drawn to midwifery through the births of her own children, Karen began by assisting and receiving training from Certified Nurse Midwives and traditional Direct-Entry Midwives. Also, during that time, Karen taught Bradley Childbirth classes for 11 years.

In 1987, she began her own practice, serving women and families in the Mid-Atlantic states. In 1995, Karen completed the certification proces of the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) and became one of the first Certified Professional Midwife (CPM)in the areas she serves . Karen is licensed in Virginia, and has worked on legislative efforts in MD, DE, PA & NJ.

Karen served on the Board of Directors of the Midwives Alliance of North America (MANA) from 1994 to 2000, and was honored as a Sage Femme in 2001 by the Mid-Atlantic region of MANA. Karen is MANA’s regional conference chair. She also serves as a Qualified Evaluator with NARM for other midwives and apprentices who are completing the CPM process. She is a preceptor for the National College of Midwifery and BirthWise Midwifery School. She has also served on the Board of the Foundation for the Advancement of Midwifery (FAM).

Karen feels honored to have been part of such a pivotal & powerful experience for the many women & families she’s served. She looks forward to the day when midwifery & homebirth are the norm, and all women have the option to choose midwifery care in the homebirth setting!

Karen is committed to the importance of growing more midwives; to that end, she has always worked with students & apprentices and firmly believes in the concept of “Each one, teach one”. To all the wonderful aspiring midwives Karen has had the opportunity to work with, she gives thanks!

“As a midwife, I find that I have come full circle in the ways that I approach birth, mothers and the families I serve.  As a younger midwife, in retrospect, it seemed I was always busy doing something; trying to jump in and guide without always giving time for the woman to get her bearings on her birth journey.  After attending births for almost 30 years, I believe even more today, that BIRTH WORKS and BABIES COME OUT.  It’s that simple!  I am at hand to facilitate, guide, and nurture, but primarily I wait and watch, allowing the laboring woman to find her way through to birth in her own power.”

Susanna Mauzy, Student

Susanna is a student of Birthwise Midwifery School in Maine.  She was very excited to join WomanWise to continue her midwifery education.  Susanna graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, in 2008 with a B.A. in Religious Studies.  During her time there she was introduced to midwifery and knew immediately that his was her path to follow.

Susanna began attending births three years ago as a doula.  While at Birthwise, she was privileged to a  to attend various prenatals, homebirths, and postpartum visits with an experienced CPMs up in Maine.  She has learned about the physiological process of birth, as well as the emotional, mental and spiritual aspects.

Susanna is honored to be able to learn from Karen and the families who allow her to be a part of this wonderful time in their lives.