Shea and Ellyn met when volunteering for birthwork related events and quickly discovered how many things they had in common. As their partnership grew, they joined forces with Leona, Mackenzie, and Megan to create a team that provides incredible support while keeping our work sustainable.

Learn more about how the team works here: Birthwork.

Nisse Birthworkers specialize in supporting folks who are often traditionally overlooked or underrepresented, as well as offering support that is evidence-based with just a touch of magic.

More from Shea:

“Hello, Friend! I’m Shea (they/them). My road to birth work has been one filled with many detours. I’ve considered training to support families in birth many times and the final catalyst to entering the birth world was birthing my own child. In previous careers I have taught all ages but mostly in preschool classrooms and high school theater classrooms. I am also an improviser locally and bring the skills from improv to each birth I attend. This includes both the ability to adapt in the moment to changes and techniques to manage labor.

I am dedicated to helping your family find the path to the birth you desire with all of the tools and knowledge I have to share. Sometimes this means I am not the right fit and I am happy to refer you to others so you find the right fit. I am a Queer, trans non-binary parent working always to operate from an anti-racist and decolonizing framework. I work with all families, but center those who carry identities not usually centered. I live on Wahpekute, Anishinabewaki, and Očeti Šakówiŋ land in Columbia Heights with my two kids and very cuddly dog.”

More from Ellyn:

“Nice to meet you— I’m Ellyn (she/her). I am a queer, white birthworker who lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Anishinabewaki and Očeti Šakówiŋ land.

My education was a long journey through a college degree in Journalism and Creative Writing and getting a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education. I taught in some form for over 10 years: as a tutor, a Montessori assistant teacher, and a special education teacher in the public school system. I had entertained the idea of birthwork for several years, and finally got brave enough to take a birth worker training in 2018. Now I can’t imagine doing any other job!

I believe in calm, supportive guidance and letting my clients lead the way. There are no right or wrong choices-- only the choices that work best for you and your family. Humor and confident support are the hallmarks of the work I do. I believe that birth can and should be joyful.

I am committed to racial and economic justice. I believe birthwork can be a part of those commitments. I am also deeply invested in supporting the plus size and fat community— your size does not define your birth story!

I live in St. Paul with my wife, our young son, and our dog. When not working on Nisse business or spending time with my family, you can find me doing some real nerd stuff like playing TTRPGS, reading, falling down Wikipedia wormholes, obsessing over our native-species-dominant garden, or laughing with friends.

More from Megan:

Hello All! My name is Megan (They/Them/She/Her) and I am a queer full spectrum birth worker and a reproductive activist on occupied Dakota and Ojibwe land.

 My heart brought me to Birth Work after many other paths kept guiding me back to the question ‘how do I help support my community and find ways to make a difference?’ Turns out that providing wisdom, support and advocating for the reproductive rights of folks was a way that helps me fulfill that dream.

I strive to always provide my clients with the tools that they need to make informed, consent-based decisions when navigating birth, postpartum and abortion. I am told by those around me that bringing a calm presence, a familiar comforting face and moments of laughter are qualities that I can bring into a space.

 When I am not wearing my Doula hat, you can find me out in my garden, curled up with a good book or snuggling my family.

More from Leona:

Hey there! I'm Leona (she/they). I've been a birthworker since 2013, and a childbirth educator since 2019. I am humbled and honored to have walked alongside hundreds of folks as they move through the journey of pregnancy and birth.

The image I most often use to describe my support is that of a nest, helping you build a supportive base from which you can take the next step into something new. I meet you where you are, and offer a grounding presence during times of change. My approach is evidence informed and trauma informed. It is based on deep trust in the process of birth, and the wisdom of birth givers and families.

I am a life-long student, and am continually adding tools to my toolbox. These days I'm geeking out about the nervous system, and how we "relax" on purpose. A great skill for birth, and for life!

In previous phases of this life, I've been an opera singer, a yoga teacher, and a bookseller. I love making noise, and talking to people about fantasy novels.

More from Mackenzie:

Hi, so nice to meet you! I’m Mackenzie (She/Her)! I’m newer on my official birth worker journey, but supporting births has been a part of my whole life! My first memory was my sister being born at home when I was just two years old. I grew up in an environment which normalized birth and caring for fresh new families during postpartum.

I’ve always been drawn to birth work. I’m amazed by what our bodies can do, and I really enjoy caring for others. I am passionate about helping others feel safe and confident, and I advocate for evidence-based research and understanding. I believe that all bodies are good bodies, and I love helping others feel respected and empowered, no matter the shape or size of their body. 

Before becoming a birth worker, I was an educator and studied early childhood education and child development. I live in St. Paul with my husband and sweet little daughter! We enjoy visiting the North Shore (especially Grand Marais), hiking, swimming, playing in nature and making yummy food together! I love just the day to day playing and learning alongside my daughter, motherhood has been such a joy for me! 

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