Mockingjay Midwifery

Meet Lisa

My midwifery practice is deeply rooted in the understanding that while I hold expertise around midwifery and physiologic birth, that birthing people are the sole experts of their own lives. I support birthing people to individually assess their own risks and benefits and to make autonomous decisions about how they access healthcare through the childbearing year.

I have attended births for over a decade as a birth worker wearing many hats, and have been practicing as a Registered Midwife since July 1, 2020. I feel passionately about providing inclusive, trauma informed care that is anti-racist, anti-oppressive and body positive for pregnant people of all genders, spiritual and religious backgrounds and sexual orientations. I strive to be an ally for reproductive justice in my community, and fiercely advocate for pregnant peoples’ bodily autonomy, agency and the right to access physically, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually respectful care during all aspects of reproductive healthcare.

I promote and support the physiologic birth process in alignment with the Canadian Association of Midwives Position Statement, critically appraise policies and research, present all options, and act as a client advocate. I currently sit on the College Of Midwives Of Alberta (CMA)’s competency committee, and have authored and co-authored several college policies, statements and guidance documents. Additionally, during the senior year of my Bachelors of Midwifery program, I performed an extensive literature review exploring the reasons that parents choose to birth outside of conventional maternity care systems. This review, along with stories from unassisted birth parents has deeply informed how I support my clients as they make informed decisions during their childbearing year.

I am a founding member, current educator and instructor for the National Breech Society Of Canada (NBSC). I presented on the NBSC’s Breech Friendly Hospital Initiative during the recent 2025 CAM Conference and was also an organizer, presentor and instructor for the inaugural Calgary Breech Conference (2025). I am passionate about helping families navigate systemic barriers and increasing access to breech birth options. I will be available for consultations for breech between January 2026 – May 2026.

While birth has an inherently unpredictable nature that occasionally requires assistance, I have learned that for the most part, physiologic labour tends to regulate and individualize to meet the needs of the birthing person and baby. I also understand the importance of approaching labour and birth with humility and respect, because just as life and death are two sides of the same coin, an undisturbed labour and physiologic birth does not always mean an straightforward process, or an uncomplicated outcome. Despite all the unknowns that exist in attending births, I believe that safe and transformational birth experiences are best supported when care providers acknowledge we have power with families, without enforcing power over.

Outside of midwifery, I’m a bittersweet human who loves coffee, cats, plants, gardening, wild fermentation, new tattoos, loud music, knitted sweaters and reading books in front of cozy fireplaces.

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Anti-Discrimination Statement

My practice is committed to providing a safe, respectful environment in alignment with the Alberta Association Of Midwives and Canadian Association of Midwives Statements. This is inclusive of race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, family status, genetic characteristics and disability.

All pregnant people deserve safe, quality care. Likewise, all midwives deserve to be able to provide care within mutually respectful midwife-client relationships in a physically, emotionally, psychologically safe workplace environment.

Discrimination in any form against clients, midwives, clinic staff, or other healthcare providers will not be tolerated. Clients engaging in discriminatory behaviours as defined under the Canadian Human Rights Act, will be discharged from care as outlined by The College Of Midwives Of Alberta’s standards for terminating the midwifery-client care relationship.

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Education

Observational upright vaginal breech birth clinical placement Frankfurt University Hospital (Germany) (May, 2025)

Breech Pro: Breech Proficiency For Birth Professionals (Betty Anne Daviss RM & Dr. David Hayes OBgyn, MD) (August, 2023)

TRANSforming Gynecology Online Webinar (Inclusive Care Project) (Oct, 2022)

Spinning Babies Workshop (April, 2022)

Comprehensive Assessment Of Tongue/Lip Tie & Frenotomy Online Course (IBC) (February, 2022)

Bachelors Of Midwifery Degree (Mount Royal University) (April, 2020)

Emergency Skills Workshop For Midwives Certification (ESW) (Every two years)

Fetal Health Surveillance Certification (Every two years)

Neonatal Resuscitation Certification Program (Annually)

CPR – Healthcare Provider Certification (Every two years)

Upright Physiologic Breech Birth Training with Shawn Walker Skills Workshop (February, 2020)

SOGC’s ALARM Workshop – Midwifery Clinical Training Module (November, 2019)

IPAS MVA & Medical Management Clinical Training – Midwifery Clinical Practicum Module (April, 2019)

Early Pregnancy Loss Clinic – Midwifery Clinical Practicum (April, 2019)

Birth Monopoly’s “Know Your Right’s” Online Course (March, 2019)

Herbal Medicine For Women with Aviva Jill Romm MD Online Course (2013 – Present)

Rebozo For The Childbearing Year with Ligia Delfin & Carla Jonguitud Workshop (April, 2018)

Neonatal Resuscitation with Karen Strange Webinar (Feb, 2018)

Breech Birth with Shawn Walker Online Webinar (Feb 2018)

Breech Skills with Joy Horner Online Webinar (Feb 2018)

Labwork for Midwives with Gail Hart Online Webinar (Feb 2018)

Holistic Management of Miscarriage & Abortion with Molly Dutton Kenny Online Webinar (Sept 2017)

“Flock Yeah” birth workshop with Gena Kirby, Lesley Everest (July 2017)

Holistic Birth Consultant Certification with Whapio Bartlett (The Matrona – July 2017)

Indie Birth Conference (March 2017)

“Holding Space For Pregnancy Loss” with Amy Wright Glenn Workshop (March 2017)

“Flock Yeah” birth workshop with Gena Kirby, Whapio Bartlett, Lesley Everest) (July 2016)

Birthing From Within Mentor Training Course (April 2016)

Birthing From Within Mentor Training Course (June 2015)

Birthing From Within Birth Story Listening Course (April 2015)

“The Farm” Midwifery Assistant Workshop with Ina May Gaskin CPM 7 Day Workshop (April 2013)

DONA Birth Doula Certification (March 2013)

DONA Birth Doula Training Course (May 2012)

Registered Dental Assistant – Surgical (2005-2009)