Serving you through life's most important journey
I'm Michelle Ray, CPM TN
My path to midwifery began after the birth of our first daughter. While I was blessed to have had a relatively complication free, vaginal delivery, my experience left so much to be desired. I became passionate about helping other women have a satisfying birth experience. My husband and I both felt that the Lord was leading me to become a midwife. It took 5 years and a couple hundred sleepless nights but it was so worth it! Now I get to see a miracle every single time I go to work! What other profession can say that? I have safely delivered hundreds of babies and been to more births than I can count! With 17 years of birth work and 12 years as a licensed midwife , I can't wait to give you the birth experience of your dreams! I am married to Chris and we have four wonderful girls whom I homeschool. I do my best to balance my midwifery work with the work of raising a family.
Professional Info
Native to the Chattanooga area, I have been active in birth work since 2003 . Doing extensive work as a Doula and work as an apprentice midwife for five years has certainly heightened my skill set. I sat for the national exam for the North American Registry of Midwifery in 2009 and am currently licensed with the State of Tennessee under the Department of Health. I was elected Vice President of the Tennessee Midwives Association in 2010 and the President in 2014. I am a NARM approved preceptor and I often help facilitate NARM peer reviews. During the 15 years I have been in private practice, I have safely attended well over 1000 home births. I have facilitated at Twin births, VBAC's , Breech deliveries , and hundreds of water births.
Clinical Experience
20 years in birth work has certainly given me the clinical skills necessary to safely facilitate the birth of my clients dreams at home. We provide water birth, VBAC, twins, and breech deliveries in the comfort and safety of your home. We also have a wonderful working relationship with the local hospitals should the need to transfer arise.
I am a NARM registered preceptor who often trains students to become Certified Professional Midwives. This means I am up to date on the latest research, prenatal testing, and clinical skills to ensure that my clients have a safe and healthy birth at home.
I am certified in Neonatal Resuscitation, CPR and Basic Life Support, IV Therapy, Birth Emergency Skills Training and several other certifications to ensure the safety and well being of my clients.
Certifications
Certified in Neonatal Resuscitation
CPR Certified/Basic Life Support for the Healthcare Provider
Stick Em Up IV Therapy
Breech Without Borders
Management of Postpartum
Birth Emergency Skills Training Certification
Jenny Byrd, Assistant & Student Midwife
Jenny Byrd started with Journey Midwifery as a birth assistant in December 2020, but began her work in healthcare as a massage therapist in 2001. Jenny has been constantly curious about improving mind-body wellness & has carried that passion over into her Birth Work.
“A very rewarding part of the job for me is helping our moms find ways to improve sleep, sharing ideas to ease their aches & pains, & finding healthy recipes that can be easy & delicious, especially when there are food allergies or restrictions to work around.”
Alongside her midwifery studies & training, Jenny loves reading & coffee, plants & gardening, cooking garden fresh goodness & getting nerdy in the kitchen. Her husband, Ivan, has been an unending support to her while pursuing this new calling. Their four children are also excellent team players when it comes to pulling extra weight around the house when mom is gone or babysitting siblings.
“I am so grateful to be on this path & feel blessed every time I’m given the honor of being at a birth. I’m thankful for each one of the families we serve!”