The Collective

Midwives

We have a team of 3 licensed certified professional midwives that have extensive training in prenatal care, birth, and postpartum to serve you.


  • Founder, Owner, Clinical Director

    In 2014, after six years of witnessing a multitude of beautiful births as a doula, I felt called into midwifery. I am committed to offering pregnant women more individualized, intimate care. I believe that a mother should be in control of her birth experience as an active and informed decision maker every step of the way. From the very first appointment, to the moment she holds her baby in her arms, she is in control. Childbirth, when viewed from an empowered and connected frame of mind, has the potential to be a beautiful, transformative, life changing event. I fully believe that birthing is a normal physiological process in a woman’s life and when supported by a healthy lifestyle, little intervention is ever needed. I see myself as more of a birth guardian who walks alongside a mother, making sure she has the utmost reassurance and guidance. Birth is natural and beautiful; it can be a completely different experience when not approached from a fear based mindset. Instead, we choose to approach pregnancy and birth with positive, evidence based information as a biologically normal experience.

    After a 4 year comprehensive apprenticeship, I earned my Certified Professional Midwives (CPM) license. This credentialing is the national gold standard for midwifery certification. It is only available after demonstrating the experience and skills necessary to attend an out-of-hospital birth. The candidate that passes an extensive exam administered by the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM), is required to maintain current certification in adult, infant and neonatal CPR and resuscitation. I am also licensed by the state of Louisiana and recognized by the Board of Medical Examiners as a licensed caregiver. As a midwife, it is my duty to stay up to date with evidence based information as well as ongoing education. To date, I have attended over 270 births.

  • Home Birth Midwife

    A Louisiana native, Leila was born at home in Lacombe with midwives, and grew up around the normalcy of birth as an every day occurrence. Leila birthed both of her babies in a birth center in Florida and recalls her births as “orgasmic and life changing”. After becoming a doula, spinning babies parent educator, lactation counselor, birthing from within mentor, and midwife assistant, it was clear that Midwifery was her calling.

    Leila took her education seriously and became a traveling student midwife in order to experience a wide variety of clinical sites, communities, and philosophies. This allowed her to become a well rounded, culturally respectful, and skilled provider. Leila has attended over 500+ births, and is skilled at twins, breech, VBAC, waterbirth, and birth in every type of environment.

    Leila graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Midwifery from Midwives College of Utah and is a Certified Professional Midwife through the North American Registry of Midwives. She is licensed in Louisiana. Mississippi currently does not have a licensing credential and recognizes Leila’s credentials as a midwife.

    Leila maintains credentials as a neonatal resuscitation provider, CPR, Breech without Boarder trained provider, and completes yearly continuing education to always develop skills and competency.

    She is a staff home birth Midwife with Grace Midwifery Collective and owns Devotion Midwifery.

    “I believe in autonomy for both the midwife and the birthing families, and support licensed midwifery with full scope care, traditional midwifery, and attendants rooted in a lineage of cultural tradition, freebirth, and medical birth as desired. I believe in sovereign birth.

    I believe in anti-racism, inclusivity, and freedom.

    My philosophy of care is deeply rooted in these beliefs and will hold them on the highest of esteem in every part of care that I offer. “ - Leila

  • Lead Birth Center Midwife

    The birth of Star’s little sister during her preteen years was a pivotal moment that ignited a deep and enduring passion for pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum support and care. By the tender age of 15, Star was already immersed in supporting births, setting her on a path of advocacy for informed consent, body autonomy, and comprehensive education in the birthing process.

    As the dedicated lead birth center midwife for Grace Midwifery Collective and the proud owner of Archetype Midwifery Collective in Gulfport, Mississippi, Star has turned her passion into action. Her education at The National College of Midwifery, along with years of extensive training, has equipped her to specialize in VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean), extended postpartum care, and creating an inclusive and autonomous environment in childbirth.

    Star’s path in midwifery was profoundly shaped by a transformative 28-day internship at Shiphrah Birthing Home in TayTay, Philippines, where community-supported birth was the gold standard. This experience, combined with seven years of working with over 15 preceptors from diverse cultures and backgrounds, has made Star a well-rounded and culturally sensitive provider, skilled in multiple modalities of care.

    Star serves families across South Mississippi and Southeast Louisiana, offering both home birth and birth center services through Grace Midwifery Collective and Archetype Midwifery. Archetype Midwifery offers well person care, VBAC, and more in Mississippi. She is committed to creating a supportive and empowering environment that respects the choices and needs of each family, transforming birth experiences into celebrations of empowerment, health, and happiness.

    Star maintains licensure in Louisiana and holds the Certified Professional Midwife credential, which is nationally recognized in all states including Mississippi where she holds an impeccable reputation as a community midwife. She proudly and loudly supports the right to autonomy for all families and all modalities of birth, including those rooted in Indigenous practices and cultural traditions. Her belief in transparency and truth in care is unwavering.

    Star’s dream is to lead the way in ensuring every family experiences the joy and fulfillment of a supported, autonomous birth, igniting a movement that demands informed choice and celebrates the raw, beautiful power of birth.

Administration

  • Practice Administrator

    After over a decade of working as a doula and midwife I decided to switch gears and move to the administrative side of midwifery.  It’s the best of both worlds for me!  I get to stay involved in birth work and helping birthing families while getting a break from being on call 24/7 and being more available to my own six children and husband.  Plus, I really like paperwork!  I sometimes come out of “midwife retirement” to assist with clinic if a midwife needs to attend a delivery and I perform in home postpartum visits.

Lactation

  • Lactation

    Hayley is a Registered Nurse and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. She has worked in the emergency department, urgent care, labor and delivery, and postpartum settings. Mamas and babies are definitely her favorite. Connection through breastfeeding is the most incredible blessing but can also be tough. She learned this through having feeding issues of her own two babies.

    “I like to say I can help you do it all because I've been through it all! I am passionate about getting you the education you need to make your breastfeeding journey a success. I can not wait to support you in any way I can”

  • Lactation & Events Coordinator

    Nicole Sonier has a passion for women’s health. She graduated from Charity nursing school in 2009. She began offering breastfeeding support in 2017 and became an IBCLC in 2021. She is currently enrolled to become a Women’s Heath Nurse Practitioner at University of South Alabama. Her dream to work alongside the Midwives, providing holistic and patient-centered care to her community.

    You will see Nicole at your postpartum lactation support visits, and can schedule individual lactation appointments with her.

Clinical & Birth Assistants

We believe in making more midwives. Our Clinical or birth assistants are either active in their education or right on the verge of starting their own midwifery practice.

  • Clinical & Birth Assistant

    Carisa Breakfield, a passionate birthworker, discovered her love for the sacred journey of childbearing in Wyoming in 2014 working as a doula in her local community. Carisa's journey led her to complete nursing school in 2016, equipping her with a solid foundation in healthcare. However, her thirst for knowledge and her desire to provide holistic care led her to pursue further education in midwifery, which she successfully completed didactic training in 2019. Throughout her career, Carisa's path has lead her far and wide, gaining wisdom and guidance from experienced midwives from various backgrounds, across different states. This exposure to diverse perspectives and practices has enriched her understanding of the birthing process, allowing her to provide unique and personalized support to those on her path. She firmly believes in the sacredness of birth and the incredible instinctual power of the birthing person to bring these precious new souls into our world. With her training and unwavering belief in the beauty of birth, Carisa is a trusted ally, supporting and empowering individuals throughout their transformative childbirth experiences.

  • Student Midwife

    “ I have always had a passion for maternity care and childbirth. After graduating high school, I felt called to start my journey to become a midwife. I am currently attending Mercy in Action College of Midwifery and starting a clinical apprenticeship with Grace Midwifery Collective. My dream is make midwifery care more accessible to women, and to protect and support them throughout all stages of pregnancy.”

Have a request?

We are constantly evolving to increase our events, team members, and client offerings. We love requests! Please send a note here to let us know what you need from our Collective next!