Hello…
My name is Bridget Ballenger. I am an Army wife and mother to four wonderful children.
I have been involved in birth work for 16 years. I started as a Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth Instructor and still continue teaching these classes. I have also served as a birth doula for nine years. These experiences led me to realize the best way to help women get the care they deserve during pregnancy is to become the care provider providing that care. So, I went to midwifery school, completed an apprenticeship and now serve as a homebirth midwife in the Norman, Oklahoma area.
I strongly believe in a woman's ability to birth her baby and love being able to support women during this amazing time. I understand that a woman's birth can be the single most memorable experience in her life. It is my desire to help prepare women to create a positive, empowering birth experience that they can look back on with joy. An experience where they had a voice in their care and were treated with respect.
Background
I am a graduate of Indie Birth Midwifery School. I completed a two-year apprenticeship with Hebamme Kerstin Jones, a German homebirth midwife. I also briefly trained with an experienced homebirth midwife in Oklahoma City before opening my own practice.
I have a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Public Relations from the University of Oklahoma. My doula and childbirth education accreditations are from the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth (AAHCC). I have also earned an additional doula certification through ToLabor. I regularly attend conferences and workshops to improve my skills and expand my knowledge base. I have received training in emergency midwifery skills, providing trauma informed care, rebozo, spinning babies, acupressure techniques, birth assistant skills, essential oils, and massage techniques for labor. Additionally, I am certified in Neonatal Resuscitation. I am a current member of the Military Birth Resource Network and The Association of Christian Birth Professionals.
“Thank you again for all the support you have given us in this process. It has been priceless and a true reflection of God’s grace and mercy in making a way when we saw none.”
/ Hunter, Laura, Avery, and Nathanael Cox /
Experience
2022 Traditional, Unlicensed Homebirth Midwife
Providing personalized, loving care to women of Oklahoma wanting a homebirth. All prenatal and postpartum visits are done at your home as I travel to you. Honoring that women should be active participants in the decisions regarding their care.
2006-present Certified Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth Instructor
I love arming couples with information to help them have a better birth experience. Knowledge is power, and if you don’t know all your options, then the full range of options won’t be available to you.
2013- present Certified Professional Doula
I realized that it often wasn’t enough just to provide information but that couples needed and wanted an educated support person with them through the birth process to help them advocate for what they wanted. I have now attended over 170 births helping women and their partners achieve their goals.
2015- 2020 Placenta Encapsulation Provider
After consuming my placenta after the birth of my fourth child and realizing how much better the postpartum period was for me, I began offering this service to clients who desired it. However, I no longer provide this service.
