Meet Olivia Deane | Independent Midwife

We had the good fortune of connecting with Olivia Deane and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Olivia, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
I’ve created a school of midwives in order to improve childbirth experience. I believe that empowering women is key to taking back birth to where it belongs. Birth is not a medical event, it is a physiological act that usually unfolds naturally in the right environment and with the right attendants.

There should be enough midwives to assist every woman in her childbearing years. The lack of midwives in some countries are related to the worst outcomes in maternal health.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I birthed 7 children and motherwhood has been the central part of my life. The calling into midwifery started little by little and I can define it as a spiritual calling. The type of midwife I wanted to be was not available in my country, Argentina. I wanted to work in home-birth, not at hospitals. So I enrolled in an online midwifery school in the US. It was not easy! I had to travel to other places to do the practical portion of the program.

I was then eager to offer this opportunity to other women in the Spanish speaking countries, and together with another midwife, Silvina, we created “Mayeutica School of Midwives”.

We offer midwifery education in South America and Spain. It is an online school with in-person workshops in South America and Spain.

The biggest challenge is to get an adequate apprenticeship, because birth practice is the most important way of learning.

Experienced midwives need to be willing to pass their skills to the new generation of midwives.

The world needs more midwives, and we want to give this option to everyone who is interested in this service. Our school is a blend of sacredness and science. Birth is a sacred rite of passage, but needs scientific knowledge to be safe and we want to offer the best of both worlds.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love nature! So I would take them north to discover wonderful beaches and parks. I’m not a city fan.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My recognition goes:

To the “eldest midwives” (my predecessors) who have walked the path before me, they left their knowledge and confidence in birth as a sacred and natural process.

To my family, my husband and 7 children, and their eternal support in my dedication to this demanding profession.

To Indiebirth and the Freebirth Society for the inspiration and contribution to the birth world.

Website: www.parterasmayeutica.com

Instagram: parterasmayeutica

Facebook: parterasmayeutica