Vanessa Dudley, President
Ocean Springs, MS
Vanessa is a stay at home mom and healthy birth advocate. Her first two children were artificially induced and delivered by her obstetrician with minimal complications. When she began considering having another child, she became interested in seeking a care provider that would offer her the safest environment supporting her decisions in having a natural childbirth. After much studying and information gathering, she decided she was an ideal candidate for a midwife attended home birth. She currently resides in Ocean Springs, MS with her husband and three children, Dana 13, Trey 19, Joseph Dale 1 and is currently expecting baby number 4.
Kathy Petersen, Secretary
Ripley, MS
When Kathy was pregnant the first time, she started reading about all things related to pregnancy and birth, in preparation for a planned home-birth with a CNM. Afterward, she continued her interest in all things related to birth, gave birth at home a second time (this time in MS, with a CPM from Memphis as the midwife), and startedWoman to Woman Childbirth Education blog on WordPress. Kathy lives with her family in Ripley, MS.
Bianca Wooden, Treasurer
Ocean Springs, MS
Bianca's first birth was attended by a CNM in Atlanta with no complications or interventions. When she got pregnant 5 years later in south Mississippi, she sought out a provider and hospital that was familiar and comfortable with natural birth. She was sad that simple requests, such as pushing in a squat position, were not an option. After much research and education, she decided on a home birth with a CPM as her caregiver. Bianca is an advocate for improving birth outcomes and hopes that in the future, MS will have midwives available across the state, working in homes and birth centers in collaboration with local OBs and hospitals - to provide the very best care. Bianca's family lives in Ocean Springs.
Charis Delatte, Board Member
Jackson, MS
Charis has been interested in and reading about midwifery and childbirth since she was in high school. She is now a homemaker, wife of Justin, and mother of Ruby, born in Feb. 2009. Ruby's (24 hour) all natural birth was attended by a CNM in a hospital setting. This momentous occasion inspired Charis to become a Birth Doula and she began her studies in 2010. Charis and her family live in Jackson, MS.
Mandi Sanders, Board Member
Starkville, MS
After researching and visiting local hospitals and obstetricians, Mandi was disappointed with not only the philosophies and outcomes of these facitilites, but also the lack of options available to pregnant and birthing women in her area. Mandi sought out alternative care that would be supportive of natural childbirth. This led her down the path of midwifery care and deciding to birth at home. Both of her children were born at home in Mississippi attended by CPM's out of Memphis, TN.
Mandi is passionate about natural childbirth options and better education for women about their bodies' amazing capabilities.She currently resides in Starkville, MS and is busy with all things related to mothering 2 boys, Tripp (3) and Charlie (1).
