Let’s get familiar with home birthing. Introducing Kwajalein Cleveland, CNM out of Gwinnett County, GA.

What services do you provide?

Gifted Hands Midwifery is dedicated to providing Gold standard, holistic evidence-based prenatal care, women health services and a safe, affordable alternative to hospital birth to low risk women and their families. 

– Home Birth, Water Birth, & Hospital Birth

– Antenatal & Postnatal Care

– Breastfeeding Support

– Herbal Plant Based Medicine

– Nutrition Counseling

– GYN Services (well woman exams & STD testing & counseling)

– Preconception Counseling 

Was this a hard journey? Yes!!!!!!!! I was given all the negative advice about starting a midwifery practice and was even told that I should relocate back to S.C.  because it was hard to have a midwifery practice in Atlanta and survive, but because of my passion and perseverance those words made me fight harder for what I believed.

Kwajalein Cleveland, CNM

What sparked the start of your business? How has the journey been?

The first birth I attended was the birth of my brother. From that moment I knew I found my “Calling.” Every time I saw a pregnant woman I felt an innate connection. I had worked as a registered nurse for over 10 years on a medical-surgical unit, but my passion was to be a birth worker. In 2010, in pursuit of my doula certification I became more intrigued by the the Midwifery Model of Care. I was empowered by the natural physiologic birth process and the strength of women. I wanted to learn more! I wanted to educate, improve positive family relationships and be a part of the change in the birth community; my dream was to start a midwifery practice. After researching, I applied to  Frontier Nursing University midwifery program and to make a long story short I graduated with honors in 2016.  

After graduating I worked at a free standing birth center where I gained knowledge and more respect for the benefits of water births. In 2017 I moved to Atlanta, GA to work with a collaborative midwifery practice with a high risk perinatologist. In 2018 the devastating news that the practice was closing sparked my interest again of pursing my goal of opening  a midwifery practice. I will forever be grateful for the experiences gained at that practice. In interim, I accepted another job offer at high volume OB practice, but it was overwhelming and far from the Midwifery Model of Care. That was short lived. The universe was closing doors, but other doors were opening, which positioned me to start what is known today as Gifted Hands Midwifery Home Birth Service.

Was this a hard journey? yes!!!!!!!! 

I was given all the negative advice about starting a midwifery practice and was even told that I should relocate back to S.C.  because it was hard to have a midwifery practice in Atlanta and survive, but because of my passion and perseverance those words made me fight harder for what I believed. Each experience along this journey was necessary for growth and has made me the  confident midwife I am today. I am also grateful for my mentors and supporters who have continued to encourage and motivate me every step of the way. 

What’s something you think people should know about your industry?

Having a home birth business entails sacrifices: missing family events, holiday gatherings and weekend getaways with a much bigger responsibility of caring for not only the woman, but the family unit.  We are not only our clients advocate, but we play many other roles i.e. educator, counselors and nutritionist just to name a few, but when you are walking in your calling the satisfaction makes the effort of changing lives and families more than worth it. 

What advice do you have for fellow entrepreneurs?

Always begin with the end in mind and have patience and persistence. Find a mentor that exhibits the same enthusiasm in the field and always be receptive of constructive criticism. 

How can we contact you?

Website: Giftedhandsmidwifery.com Email: giftedhandsmidwifery@gmail.com Facebook: Gifted Hands Midwifery IG: gifted_hands_midwifery LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kwajalein-cleveland-68ab2613b
Phone: 470-504-3856 Location: Snellville, GA