Hi, I’m Christel Gillette
Hello and welcome! I’m glad you are here. To tell you a little about myself, I have to begin with my favorite people: my husband of seventeen years and my eight fantastic children. I was born and raised in NEPA and I married my high school sweetheart. I have master and bachelor degrees in other fields, and did not pursue my dream of becoming a midwife until the middle of 2020 when it became clear that women and families needed more options. My motivation is to provide midwifery care and home birth services to local families. I believe that every individual should make decisions for their own health and for the wellness of their family. I am here to provide evidence-based, research-led, skilled and quality care to women and families who want to have their baby in the safety of their own home. I had my first two babies in the hospital, three in a birth center north of Philly, and three in my own home. It took me a while to realize I can make different choices regarding birth. I am here to get the word out: homebirth is a safe option for healthy women with low-risk pregnancies! It is my honor and privilege to support local women in welcoming new life. Education
I am a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM), credentialed by the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM). In addition to the clinical apprenticeship model traditionally required by NARM, I attended midwifery school, accredited by the Midwifery Education Accreditation Council. I have an Associates of Science in Midwifery from The National College of Midwifery, a MEAC accredited institution.I have a Master of Arts degree in Teaching from Marywood University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from The Pennsylvania State University, with minor in Spanish. I have a Pennsylvania state certification to teach grades 7-12 English. 
“When a woman births, not only is a baby being born but so is a mother.
How we treat her will affect how she feels about herself as a mother
and as a parent.
Be gentle. Be kind. Listen.”
― Ruth Ehrhardt
My Philosophy
Unlike the conventional approach in the U.S. which treats pregnancy as a pathological condition riddled with risks, I believe pregnancy is a normal condition of health. Pregnancy and birth usually work just fine without any intervention. Interference in the natural process should be applied judiciously. Women and families are primarily responsible for their pregnancy, health, and decisions. Health cannot be handed out by practitioners, governments, or medical boards. Pregnancy is a time for women to support their bodies through nutrition and lifestyle. It is a time of growth, change and transformation. As a midwife, I want to support mothers by creating relationships, understanding concerns, providing education, and facilitating choices. Care includes observing the wide range of normal during pregnancy, labor and birth and intervening appropriately if complications arise. I will advocate for the best interest of mother and baby. I trust that women can birth their babies. Midwifery practice is not the practice of medicine, but the process of supporting mother and baby during a physiologically normal process.Training and Certification
Certification
The CPM certification is maintained through the North American Registry of Midwives. I am certified in advanced Neonatal Resuscitation (NRP) and adult CPR. I am actively involved in continuing education and peer review. Peer review is a method of professional accountability and support. Certified Professional Midwives and traditional midwives in NEPA meet regularly every 2-3 months for peer review. My practice adheres to HIPAA Privacy and Security rules. Learn more about Certified Professional Midwives here.Training
NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program) Training with Karen Strange, 2021Basic Life Support (CPR and AED) Health and Safety Institute, 2021NRP (Advanced Provider) Training with Jennifer Nelson, 2023Basic Life Support (CPR and AED) Health and Safety Institute, 2023IV Therapy Training Course, Rutgers University, 2024Breech Pro, Breech Without Borders, 2024Breech and Twins Master Class, Breech Without Borders, Barcelona, Spain, 2024Breech Workshop, Breech Without Borders, Barcelona, Spain, 2024In the middle of 2020, I began apprenticing with Jan Wolfenburg, CPM, of BirthSpirit Midwifery. I also trained alongside Lisa Cirello, CPM, R.N. of BellaMimma Midwifery. As part of my training, I assisted Jan in attending births for more than two years. I also participated in prenatal, postpartum and well-woman appointments in her practice. I have trained under Dhyana Heller, Stroudsburg and Kimberly Rodriguez, CPM, of Way of Life Midwifery. I continue to work with Lisa, Jan and Kimberly. These women introduced me to midwifery care in the home setting and have provided excellent training in research-based practices. Here are the websites of midwives mentioned above:Jan WolfenbergLisa CirelloKimberly Rodriguez
