Emily Friar CPM, LM

Prior to my midwifery education, I voluntered with AmeriCorp in the healthCorp division, providing sex education and family planning information & services to public school students. 

I successfully completed my NARM exam to became a CPM in August of 2003.  That same year I became a mother with the birth of Satchell, born at home, into the hands of a midwife.  A midwife who was also a classmate of mine in Taos.  In July of 2006, my husband and I were again blessed with the arrival of our second born son, Rylan, also born at home, into water with two very loving and patient midwives in attendance.  I am truly gratefull for the maternity care options available to me and my family and believe that it is a fundamental human right for a woman to choose where and with whom she gives birth. 

Nicole Rowland

Office Manager

 I live in Amherst County with my husband, three cats, and of course—my daughter Keira who was born at home last January. Becoming pregnant for me was a surprise, but I knew right away that the mainstream medical model wouldn’t work for me. Under the wonderful care of RMC, I went from being afraid, unsure and uninspired to being confident, healthy, well-informed and excitedly anticipating my daughter’s arrival. 

While I don’t believe that homebirth is for everyone, I do believe that every woman should have the right to choose where they give birth. I firmly believe that pregnancy and birth have the potential to be an amazingly empowering and healing experience—a powerful rite-of-passage in a world with so little ceremony and so little that is held sacred. I believe that all women should be lavished with the level of one-on-one care provided so generously by homebirth midwives. Pregnancy is such a very special and very short time in a mother’s life, and it should be celebrated!

Cassandra Perez, RN, BSN

Student Midwife

Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA
Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Cassandra is a registered nurse with a background in maternal-child health, including labor & delivery, pregnant and parenting teens, public health/family planning, and maternity nursing education. She has completed programs in lactation education and herbalism, as well as, apprenticing with licensed midwives offering home birth. In addition, she offers acupressure for labor & delivery. Cassandra has her own business, Birthways, providing wise woman doula care for childbearing women and their families in Rockbridge County, Virginia and the surrounding areas.  She also hosts the Rockbridge County Birth Circle once a month at the Rockbridge Regional Library in Lexington.

Originally from California, Cassandra relocated to Virginia in 2005. She lives in Fairfield with her husband and two dogs. 

Megan Angle

Student Midwife

Megan Angle is the mother of five children and currently expecting number 6. She has birthed two in the hospital, two at home with a midwife, and one was born unplanned, unassisted on the side of the road!

She received a Bachelor's degree in Women's Studies from Virginia Commonwealth University in May of 2007. She then completed training as a Certified Birth Doula in December of 2007 at Aviva Institute and received certification in Neonatal Resuscitation in May of 2009.

She is currently studying at Aviva Institute to obtain a second bachelor's degree in Midwifery. Once completed, along with apprenticeship training and successful completion of the NARM exam, she hopes to begin a practice in the Farmville, VA area as a Certified Professional Midwife.

She is currently the Director of the Farmville chapter of Birth Matters Virginia and runs Branglewood Birth Services.

She lives in Green Bay, VA with her husband, 5 (soon to be 6) children, 2 dogs, 1 cat, and 50+chickens!

Christine Fairfield

Breastfeeding Instructor

Christine lives in Mint Spring, VA with her husband and four daughters.  Her interest in lactation and breastfeeding began in 1999 while pregnant with her first child.  After the birth of her second child, she became a La Leche League Leader and continues to be active in the Lexington/Rockbridge County LLL group.  She is pursuing a Certificate in Lactation Education through the Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association (CAPPA).  She also regularly volunteers with   the lactation consultant at Stonewall Jackson Hospital.  She is a member of La Leche League International, the International Lactation Consultants Association, and CAPPA.