About
Birth is a physiological event; but it is also mental, emotional and spiritual.
To support each stage of pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period, all aspects of the family’s well-being must be nurtured and respected. As any homebirth midwife will attest to, emotional factors play an important role in how labor and birth unfold. Licensed homebirth midwives are skilled and prepared to handle emergencies, but reserve these interventions for only when necessary. Not disturbing the birthing process is usually the best way to have a successful natural birth. The homebirth midwife provides loving guidances while safeguarding the birth with her expertise.
Homebirth clients benefit from personalized care, as opposed to care that gives out routine instructions to all clients. It is our goal to help each family uncover how they wish to carry out their pregnancy, birth and postpartum period by providing information that is honest and non-coercive, and by supporting the family as a whole.
About
Birth is a physiological event; but it is also mental, emotional and spiritual.
To support each stage of pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period, all aspects of the family’s well-being must be nurtured and respected. As any homebirth midwife will attest to, emotional factors play an important role in how labor and birth unfold. Licensed homebirth midwives are skilled and prepared to handle emergencies, but reserve these interventions for only when necessary. Not disturbing the birthing process is usually the best way to have a successful natural birth. The homebirth midwife provides loving guidances while safeguarding the birth with her expertise.
Homebirth clients benefit from personalized care, as opposed to care that gives out routine instructions to all clients. It is our goal to help each family uncover how they wish to carry out their pregnancy, birth and postpartum period by providing information that is honest and non-coercive, and by supporting the family as a whole.
Meet the Team
Midwives are experts in natural birth and share their knowledge with you in an accessible way. We empower you to be you & your baby’s best advocate.
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Founder
Hello! My name is Andrea Ruizquez, I am a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM). I say with much joy, I LOVE BEING A HOME BIRTH MIDWIFE! I have been doing birth work for 22 years and have been licensed since 2007, and during this time I have had the honor of assisting over 1,000 people birth their babies naturally.
I believe that a person has the right to conceive and birth their baby in peace and in the place they feel safest. As a home birth midwife, I hold this space by providing education, making medical assessments, and encouraging informed choices about care.
As a Xicana midwife I see how families of color can profoundly benefit by returning to our Indigenous birth traditional birth practices of holding birth as sacred time, while incorporating western medicine only when needed. Empowering birth experiences can help us heal from generational trauma because out body autonomy is respected. Also, newborns receive life-long benefits from being born in a gentle way, out of an institution. The birthing process is a normal yet transformative experience, a crucial time in a person’s life where they need to feel respected & supported. I honor this sacred time of transition for my families with love and expertise.
Se habla español.
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Hello my name is Katarina Ruiz , I am a xicana with indigenous ancestry . Born and raised locally between Watsonville & Seaside. I grew up on our beautiful peninsula and feel deeply connected to the community here.
Becoming a California Licensed Massage therapist in 2019, specializing in intuitive touch and prenatal massage, began my journey. Serving families through birth and postpartum for years lead me deeper into my birth work path. My current role is serving as a midwifery assist and apprentice for Andrea’s practice. I feel deeply this work is my life’s calling , I am honored to serve these families and offer them the education and support they deserve.
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Hola amigos! I’m Marlen—a Santa Cruz native carrying the strength of my Oaxacan indigenous roots into the birthing space. Birth is raw power, transformation, and pure magic. Being chosen as part of your village is an honor I don't take lightly. My commitment to you is a safe, healthy, and love-filled arrival for your baby. No matter what your journey looks like, I am here to listen, to see you, and to hold you through it all.
Meet the Doulas
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Hello, my name is helen a (they/them•elle/le) and I’m honored to be the student doula at Partera Midwifery.
My practice is guided by my Abuela’s stories of birth, honoring the medicines from our ancestors, foods, and love.
I am an abuelita-in-training learning to tend the land and relations for a world where Indigenous, trans, and immigrant families thrive as their full selves.
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Hola! My name is Caui. I am a mom, dancer & Doula for Partera Midwifery. I was born and raised in San Jose, CA with Mexican, indigenous roots.
As a birth worker, I try to bring softness & love to give the birthing person the most joyful experience. I believe birth is not only sacred but can be an overall positive experience for the family.
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Partera Midwifery’s birth team has so many gifts. A seasoned midwife, a prenatal massage therapist, experienced doulas, caregivers that give with sincerity, & hablamos españo.