With the credentials and experience,  our goal is to guide you on your journey towards optimal well-being using a natural and holistic approach.

Your guide to holistic care that is patient-centric, time intensive, all while feeling safe in this space.

ABOUT US

Blossom Optimal Health provides midwifery care by supporting women in every cycle of life, from the first period to the last. Giving holistic care that is patient-centric, time intensive, all while feeling safe in this space. It is truly an honor to be present at such a major life event like childbirth and continue care beyond.

Emily has been caring for expectant mothers and their families for nearly 20 years working in community and hospital settings. The services provided have included:

  • Maternity care visits, labor and birth in the hospital, birth center and client’s home 
  • Breastfeeding support and primary care for the newborn care
  • Women’s health visits including wellness care, problem gynecological visits, hormone balancing, primary care, infertility management/treatment


Seeking answers to heal and feel better, Emily learned more about functional medicine and integrative approach to care.

ABOUT EMILY

Emily's passion for women’s health care emerged after giving birth to her first child. This ignited her interest in human physiology and the seemingly miraculous process for women to grow, birth and nourish a baby. Emily’s journey to midwifery began with a career as a labor, delivery, and postpartum registered nurse, working alongside nurse midwives.

Her journey continued with earning a Master of Science in Nursing , becoming a nurse practitioner and Board-Certified Nurse Midwife, followed by earning a Doctor of Nursing Practice and becoming a International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant.  Struggling with her own health and seeking answers to heal and feel better she learned more about functional medicine and an integrative approach to care. This has been a common finding in women she serves, many who are dealing with at least one chronic health condition early in adulthood.

In addition to local in-person service provision, Emily is expanding her practice by providing telehealth to reach more women throughout Iowa, in addition to offering some of her maternity and lactation services in client’s homes.

Emily was born and raised on her family’s century-old farm in Central Iowa. Iowa has been home for most of her life. Emily and her husband live in Des Moines and have five beautiful children. Emily finds life balance outside of being a midwife through spending time with her family, practicing her faith, traveling, and exploring nature.

Hi, my name is Emily, and I have been an RN for 15 years, with 13 of those being dedicated to caring for moms and babies. I am certified in fetal monitoring and inpatient OB and received my Master in Nursing Education in 2015. I am currently pursuing my midwifery degree and plan to graduate in 2026. While the hospital setting has provided me with excellent experience and a lot of joy, my passion is for out-of-hospital births. Watching a woman trust her body and step into her power while being surrounded by those who love and support her is a powerful experience.

Emily, RN - Birth Assistant 

MEET THE TEAM

Katie is a registered nurse, massage therapist and mom to four children, three of which were home births. After working on a hospital surgical floor in 2001, she wished that a more holistic approach was used in medicine and decided to go to school for massage therapy, as well as finish her nursing degree from Grandview University. After becoming a licensed massage therapist and licensed nurse, she continued to massage and help women in the community in areas such as breastfeeding, baby wearing, and attending births as a support person. In 2016 she began her work as a birth assistant, and has been balancing raising kids, massaging and assisting in births ever since. Katie hopes to continue this dream job for many years to come.

Katie - RN, BSN, LMT

I have worked in the medical field since late ‘90’s (started as dietary aide, CNA, CMA, LPN, RN). My background has been in various jobs from long-term care, in home, clinic, functional medicine, corrections, hospital, and almost 18 years working as a nurse with a non-profit organization that works with children age 0-5 and prenatal, postnatal care, and lactation consultation. I am passionate about functional medicine and to help teach/direct others so they can too understand the benefits of getting to the root cause. And how powerful our bodies are to self-heal when we know how to nourish it properly. My faith and four amazing daughters are the most important things in my life. I love nature, cooking/baking, gardening (still learning) and just the company of other human beings uplifting and encouraging each other. I speak Spanish fluently. I find the amazing life experience of childbirth a blessing and something that I don’t take lightly to be able to be part of and I will strive my best to make it the best experience for all involved.

Christine, RN - Birth Assistant 

My name is Rebekah, and I am a dedicated labor and delivery nurse. I hail from Montevideo, MN, where I grew up as the third of five sisters. From a young age, I had a natural inclination to serve and care for those around me, deeply influenced by the time I spent with my grandmother, who instilled in me the values of compassion and service. After high school, I attended a private faith-based college while working as a nanny for families across three states. During this time, I also pursued training and coursework to become a doula, which further ignited my passion for supporting women through the childbirth process. This experience inspired me to pursue a nursing degree. Before becoming a nurse, I eagerly served as a nanny and took on doula roles whenever possible. My fascination with the miracle of birth and my commitment to connecting with women and families during such a pivotal time in their lives have always been my driving forces. As a labor and delivery nurse, I continue to fulfill my calling by providing compassionate and skilled care to mothers and their newborns..

Rebekah, RN - Birth Assistant 

JOANNA
*photo by nicole CrusInberry photography

She never seemed rushed during appointments and took the time to listen and discuss all my concerns. She is very knowledgeable with alternative treatments. I appreciate her holistic approach to health care!" 

"Emily is a kind and compassionate health care provider »

ASHLEY + FAMILY

One of my lifetime desires was to have a successful water birth at home and I am so blessed and thankful to say that I have accomplished just that. Working with Emily during my prenatal care was great because I always felt comfortable and cared for. When I finally went into labor having Emily’s expertise and support made my baby girls entrance into the world the most beautiful experience. I was able to labor in my own world with my own rules and not worry or fear of something not going the way I desired. Emily gave me the confidence and assurance that my body and my baby would do what nature is designed to do. I will for always be grateful for Emily for the time, dedication and exceptional care I was given during my pregnancy, home birth and post-partum. I cannot thank her enough! Thank you, thank you and thank you!

"Deciding to work with Midwife Emily was the best decision I could have made »

NYARIAK

From the beginning I've always had a list of questions that I was ready to ask & she was very knowledgeable & confident in answering all my questions to allow me to feel comfortable with my decisions. I was blessed to have Emily on call with the help of Katie who was a birthing assistant the day of delivery & I wouldn't have changed that experience at all. Her professionalism, her care, her gentleness with me was most memorable in my journey. As scary as I felt in the moment, it all went away the moment she came to my side & walked me through every step that was coming ahead. It was a beautiful yet empowering moment that I look back at & smile with grace & love. Midwifery & home birth is not given enough credit nor praise but is becoming a popular option as it is becoming modernized. I would definitely recommend other women to try a home birth or ask questions before disregarding the idea because it truly is a beautiful way of giving birth & bringing life into this world. It was an honor to have Emily as my midwife & I will continue to share my home birth journey & story.

"I was looking for someone to help with my pregnancy, Emily exceeded my expectations! »

By putting together the best birth plan for you and your family, we will be sure to have a successful outcome.

Release the worry of pregnancy and birth, and let me handle it!