Meet the Midwives | Terra Nova Midwifery's Midwives

Meet the
Midwives

Terra Nova Midwifery is comprised of four wonderful midwifery care teams: Team Quince, Team Willow, Team Hemlock and the Postpartum Team.

Team Quince is a shared-care team of 4 midwives; Jenny, Alix, Alyssa, and Jessi

Team Willow is solo midwife Nancy

Team Hemlock is solo midwife Wendy

Postpartum-Only Care is midwife Kenzie

Our clinic is rooted in the Steveston village neighbourhood of Richmond. We care for families living in Richmond and South Delta. We offer prenatal, birth and post-natal care, all covered by MSP. You can self-refer to our clinic, meaning you can contact us as soon as you know you are pregnant. We can order all necessary early pregnancy testing and ultrasounds - you do not have to see a doctor before contacting our clinic. We have limited spaces each month and tend to book up quickly so get in touch soon to avoid disappointment. Occasionally we have spots that open up so do reach out to see if we have space even if you're past your first trimester.

The Quince tree is the tree of love, fertility and unity. Also referred to as the "golden apple", quince represents rebirth and new beginnings. Quince flower aligns willpower with heart power--important for the birth and parenting journey ahead.

JENNY EMERSON

Registered Midwife

Being a midwife is everything I’ve ever wished to be—a facilitator of healthy, thriving families with an emphasis on women’s health. I strive to support pregnant people in carrying and birthing their babies with integrity and empowerment. Service, creativity and compassion are three values I highly regard. How perfect it is to find myself as a Registered Midwife—a profession I believe upholds these values.

I completed my Midwifery training with UBC, Faculty of Medicine in 2015. Clinical practicums took me to work with women in Vancouver, Victoria, a rural community in Uganda and Kelowna. After graduation, I settled into practicing Midwifery in Kelowna for just over a year, but the coast called me home. I have been practicing at Richmond Hospital since 2016.

I am excited and fortunate to have the opportunity to continue to serve families in my community. I look forward to meeting and working with you all!

Coffee or tea?

Coffee—a nice rich, nutty, chocolate blend is my favourite. I also love a fragrant bergamot Earl Grey cup of tea in the afternoon with a shortbread sable.

Favourite place:

Oh there are so many!

Locally—McDonald Beach with my pup, Chimay. Nostalgically in my mind—Victoria when I was 24 years old. Childhood home—Judges Row in Qualicum Beach, Cathedral Grove

Favourite thing about Midwifery:

The connections we make with our clients and families. It's a privilege to be invited and welcomed into others' lives during the pregnancy year.

Favourite thing to do when you're off-call or not working:

Walk amidst big trees near the ocean

Something you may not know about me:

When I was 18, I rode my bicycle home from Guatemala with a good friend. We had volunteered with a women's collective teaching + learning about medicinal plant medicines, composting, environmentally friendly plant based dyes for textiles and built greenhouses. The ride home was long, and we looked like rugged + wild trolls, but we saw beautiful sites, met interesting and inspiring people and got strong!

ALIXANDRA BACON

Registered Midwife

I graduated from the UBC Midwifery education Program Midwifery in 2012. I have been serving families in Richmond and Delta ever since. Prior to midwifery I worked as a sexual health educator.

My favourite part of midwifery is when clients return in their subsequent pregnancies and the babies I've caught assist me with belly checks. I am also drawn to advocacy, policy and teaching.

I practice Midwifery part time to allow me to fulfill the role of President of the Canadian Association of Midwives.

I am a part of the Clinical Faculty at UBC and have worked in midwifery education and association strengthening in East Africa through UBC's Students for Global Citizenship and the UNFPA-CAM Strengthening Midwifery Services in South Sudan project.

When not catching babies I enjoy dance offs with my son Juba, kayaking and hosting vegan dinner parties.

Coffee or tea?

Tea

Favourite place:

Granville Island

Favourite thing about Midwifery:

When the babies I've caught join their parents for prenatal appointments in subsequent pregnancies and help with belly checks.

Favourite thing to do when you're off-call or not working:

Kayaking/canoeing with my family and camping.

Something you may not know about me:

I play washboard and percussion in an old-timey band.

ALYSSA LABROSSE

Registered Midwife

My desire to become a midwife stemmed from when I was expecting my first child and was so fortunate to receive exceptional care from a team of midwives who made me feel heard and valued. Since then, I have spent well over a decade serving in the birth field as a birth and postpartum doula as well as a childbirth educator. I completed my Bachelor of Midwifery through UBC’s Faculty of Medicine in 2021.

My goal is to support birthing families by allowing them to make the best decisions for their family in a safe and open environment. I strive to provide compassionate breastfeeding support and recently qualified as an IBCLC lactation consultant.

Bearing witness to the rite of passage that is birth is one of my greatest joys in life. I believe my role is to maintain a mindful presence that supports the power of birth and the power of the birther during this transformational time.

Coffee or tea?

Tea! I love a peppermint tea to unwind at the end of the day. It is also easy to drink cold which works well when I am at a birth. I am not a coffee drinker at all.

Favourite place:

Our family cabin at Birkenhead Lake where I get to disconnect from the hustle and bustle and reconnect with nature.

If I am getting on a plane, I am going to Mexico! It has always held a special place in my heart as I often spent time in Algadones as a kid and got married in the Mayan Riviera.

Favourite thing about Midwifery:

Home visits after baby is born. I love being a part of those early transitional days, witnessing parent and siblings bonding warms my heart.

Favourite thing to do when you're off-call or not working:

Spending time near the water and paddle boarding amongst the seals.

Something you may not know about me:

I played Rugby in high school and traveled to California for tournaments.

JESSI HAMM

Registered Midwife

I took the scenic route to finding midwifery. After years of working with and supporting families in different settings, it was at my first birth as a doula, witnessing a baby born into a midwife’s outstretched hands, that I knew I’d found what I was meant to do. My previous work as an art therapist, and infant development consultant has made me a passionate advocate for equity and self-agency. I love that midwives can put these values into practise everyday to provide family-centred maternity care and reproductive justice.

I completed my Midwifery degree throughly the University of British Columbia’s Faculty Medicine where I completed clinical placements throughout the province including Vancouver, Prince George, and Haida Gwaii. These experiences in both urban and rural settings gave me a appreciation for the importance of a well integrated health care system while being awed by the body’s innate ability to birth.

I grew up in Steveston and worked with families in Richmond for 10 years prior to my midwifery degree. I am thrilled to be offering care in a community that means so much to me. I am honoured to share in the life-changing journey of pregnancy and birth with Terra Nova families.

Coffee or tea?

Coffee....ICED coffee.

Favourite place:

I love walking along the Fraser River.

Favourite thing about Midwifery:

The personal power I witness everyday; a person finding their strength in labour, families supporting each other, a new parent comforting their little one.

Favourite thing to do when you're off-call or not working:

Curling up with a book, laughing with friends, and enjoying the beauty of the west coast.

Something you may not know about me:

I have two delightfully mischievous cats named Phoebus and Star.

The willow tree gives us hope, a sense of belonging and safety. It symbolizes fertility and new life. It has a profound ability to bend around obstacles without breaking--it's flexible and adaptable while maintaining strong roots. This tree is almost always found near water, and is connected to the moon like no other tree. The willow embraces the depths of our emotions and subconscious in all its phases and rhythm.

NANCY TSAO

Registered Midwife

Ever since I was a child, I have been fascinated by birth. I still have vivid memories of waiting by the curtain for my mother to finish her ultrasound exam and later walking with her to the hospital while she was in labour and about to give birth to my little brother.

I am always in awe of the strength and power clients show during pregnancy, labour and birth and feel privileged to accompany and care for them through this very special time of their life.

I graduated from the UBC Midwifery Program in 2016. Throughout my training and practice, I have attended births in Calgary, Richmond, Vancouver, Penticton, Comox, and Mission. I also attended more than 70 births during my international practicum in Uganda. Working in the Ugandan hospitals was a life changing experience and I hope to return someday.

I grew up in Taiwan and came to Richmond with my family when I was 15 years old. I am fluent in English and Mandarin. In my spare time, I enjoy knitting, reading and taking long walks in Steveston.

我自小就对生命的诞生充满好奇。在我儿时的印象里，妈妈怀着弟弟时，带着我一起去做产检，生产当天，我和妈妈一起走去医院的记忆都特别鲜明。

孕妇在怀孕、阵痛、生产时所展现的力量和母爱，总令我钦佩不已。而能在妇女经历这个非常特殊的时期，陪伴并照顾他们，是我的荣幸。

我在2016年得到卑诗大学助产师学士学位，从实习到执业以来，曾在卡加利、烈治文、温哥华等地帮超过三百位孕妇接生。我更在乌干达实习的十二周里，为七十名婴儿接生。

我生长在台湾，十五岁时和父母移民到温哥华。闲暇时，我喜欢阅读，打毛线和散步。

The hemlock tree symbolizes protection and healing. These trees are found in old growth forests and remind us to embrace our life experiences. If left undisturbed, hemlock trees can take over a whole forest. These trees can grow over 270 tall feet in wet, adverse conditions.

WENDY TSE KA YI

Registered Midwife

I first trained to be a Midwife in Hong Kong, and then completed the UBC International Midwifery Bridging Program. My journey to becoming a midwife began when I was introduced to obstetrics and pregnancy care during my studies in my Nursing education. I was fascinated by pregnancy and birth. I endeavoured to become a Midwife and offer holistic care to pregnant people on their journey to welcoming new life. After training in Hong Kong as a Midwife, I worked in two busy hospitals there for 10 years, providing care in antenatal, birth and postpartum units for both low and high risk pregnancy cases.

I came to Canada to pursue training in Midwifery here and to launch a new career working in community and hospital based settings. I enjoy building relationships with clients through the course of pregnancy and enjoy the continuity of care we can provide here. My passion is to empower and share knowledge with clients so they feel safe, well informed and compassionately supported through pregnancy, birth and postpartum. It is a privilege and and honour to to witness and support birth. I am in awe and humbled at every birth I attend.

I moved to Richmond from Hong Kong last year with my partner and my son. I am excited to be a part of the Richmond community and enjoy contributing to the Terra Nova Midwifery community as well. I look forward to meeting you, and supporting you on your journey to become a parent.

Coffee or tea?

Coffee--latte please!

Favourite place:

Anywhere with a beautiful beach! Bohol, Cenus, Bali, Phuket, Danang...

Favourite thing about Midwifery:

Relationships and connection to families...and BABY cuddling.

Favourite thing to do when you're off-call or not working:

Spend time with family and friends. Travel to different countries.

Something you may not know about me:

I flew to New York from Hong Kong to accompany my sister when she was expecting her daughter. I spent a month in New York being an auntie.

Postpartum-Only Team

Meet our newest addition, a postpartum-only team with midwife Kenzie! Team name coming soon. Read more about Kenzie below.

KENZIE STROICH

Registered Midwife

I am very excited to be joining the postpartum team at Terra Nova Midwifery. I am a settler of Ukrainian and French ancestry. I grew up on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Sinixt, Syilx, and Ktunaxa Nations.

I was drawn to birthwork from a very young age. In highschool, I became a certified doula and began offering free full-spectrum doula services in my community. As my passion for health equity and social justice grew, birthwork led me to pursue midwifery education in the United States. Throughout my midwifery education and early clinical work, I had the privilege to care for birthing people both in their homes and at local birth centres in Maine, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania.

In 2019, I completed the International Midwifery Education Program at Ryerson University. During the summer of 2020, I began working at Pomegranate Community Midwives in Vancouver. I am endlessly grateful for all of the families and midwives I have had the privilege to work with over the years. I am passionate about informed choice, health equity, reproductive justice. I have a special affinity for homebirth and working with clients throughout their fertility.

In my free time I love to explore the outdoors, spend time with loved ones, and make art and food. Regardless of the season, I love to pursue outdoor adventures with my partner.

SARAH DEXTER

Office Manager, Doula, Childbirth Educator

Coffee or tea?

Tea! Coffee makes me wasted... A mom + birthworker who doesn't drink coffee—I know!

Favourite place:

Home :) or in the mountains!

Favourite thing about Midwifery:

Relationship/connection/informed choice :)

Favourite thing to do when you're off-call or not working?

Cook, eat, thrift, hike, laugh with my family,

talk about birth, think about birth.

Something you may not know about me:

I love karaoke.

ELISE BEUTEL

Office Manager, Doula

Coffee or tea?

Coffee!

Favourite place:

Whistler

Favourite thing about Midwifery:

The first week of home visits after baby is born. The
first hours and weeks following the birth of your baby is a whirlwind of emotions and it is so comforting to have a team of midwives who are available to help you for 6 weeks with breastfeeding and any other questions/concerns you may have.

Favourite thing to do when you're off-call or not working:

I love to spend my time outdoors. I love biking, hiking, camping, and going puddle jumping with my daughter, Cleo.

Something you may not know about me:

My husband and I met in PE class in high school

KENDAL BLACKER

Office Manager, Doula
she/her

Coffee or tea?

Both! Coffee is for mornings, tea is for afternoons + evenings :)

Favourite thing about Midwifery:

Having had all 3 of my babies with Midwives, and all 3 very different births (hospital, home + cesarean) - I can say that without a doubt, Midwives are the bees knees! The care they provide in pregnancy cannot be compared. I often felt so emotional at my discharge appointments because it was the first and only time I had been treated so well in our health care system. Informed choice, refusal and place of birth are all things that were important to me during my own pregnancy and with the families I served as a Doula. During my third pregnancy, I was diagnosed with a very serious condition that meant I had to have a cesarean. My Midwives shared care with an OB and my Midwives were still with me every step of the way, and postpartum as well. I almost forgot - my other favourite part about Midwifery care - the postpartum care! Visits at home for the first few days after birth? Yes, please.

Favourite thing to do when you're off-call or not working:

Spending time with my beautiful family, time in my garden patio oasis and taking pictures.

Something you may not know about me:

I am a Twin (Twin B for you birth nerds + Twin parental units - 6mins apart)! My twin brother and I were the biggest twins of 1982! Born vaginally at Richmond Hospital, coming in at 8lbs 6oz and 7lbs 14oz

Images by Taya Photography

JESSICA SCREETON

Social Media, Doula
she/her

Coffee or tea?

Coffee

Favourite place:

Wailea, Maui

Favourite thing about Midwifery:

So many things! The philosophy, continuity of care, connections made + more positive birth outcomes and experiences as a result.

Favourite thing to do when you're off-call or not working:

Beach picnics and sunset swims with my family + friends, or taking a yoga class

Something you may not know about me:

I've been a doula for 11 years <3