Virginia (Ginnie) Priest
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The awe of the birth experience led me to midwifery 34 years ago. To date I've attended over 1,750 births. My commitment to home birth has continued to embrace and build upon: the traditions, sanctity and professionalism practiced by my predecessors. The individuality and intensely personal nature of bringing a newborn into this world is always a pivotal life experience. In my practice, I support and empower the family to make the experience as meaningful, pleasant, and enjoyable as possible.

I have birthed my 3 children at home ('73, '75, and '79), assisted my daughter on her path as a midwife ('90 - '94), and have had the great joy of catching my 4 grandbabies in their homes ('93, '96, '97 and '98); as well as the privilege to assist the second generation of homebirth babies.

Milestones Event Dates

  • '72 - Santa Cruz, CA attended birth center workshops
  • '73 - Milwaukee, WI started attending home births
  • '75 - Attended a Series of Childbirth Classes
  • '75 - Founding Member of the Guild of Wisconsin Midwives
  • '82 - American Red Cross First Aid Course
  • '83 - Milwaukee, WI, 1st MANA conference
  • '84 - Master Midwife Permit Granted by NMA
  • '86 - EMT Certification
  • '86 - New Mexico - Granted Midwife License
  • '86 - Guild of Wisconsin Midwives Certification
  • '91 - Neonatal Resuscitation-recertification every other year
  • '94 - Assisted my 1,000 birth
  • '96 - CPM (Certified Professional Midwife) granted by NARM
  • '97 - Neonatal Screening in Wisconsin-State Lab of Hygiene
  • '97 - Breastfeeding Initiator
  • '02 - Certified Breastfeeding Educator
  • '04 - Qualified Evaluator Training - NARM
  • '05 - State Vital Records - Homebirth Designee for filing Birth Certificates
  • '06 - Governor signed bill to License Midwifery in Wisconsin
  • '07 - Wisconsin - Granted Midwife License
    • *NOTE: I attend a minimum of 30 contact hours of midwifery continuing education
    every 3 years. This includes a 5 hour peer review which fulfills the renewal requirements for the CPM certification and my NM and WI Licenses.

    My career has and continues to be an on-going effort requiring I be a student, teacher, and support person. I welcome any questions about my background, education, and how I manage complications. I am proud to carry on the time honored professional tradition of Midwifery. I advocate home births because I believe we must take back not only the responsibility but the process of well-being.


    Guild of Wisconsin Midwives '83