Sara Badger, LM, CPM - Owner
I started Simply Born in Grand Rapids in 2010 and have been a gentle force of change and growth in the West Michigan's birthing community ever since. It has been my vision to help foster improvements to the birth community with the goal of empowering more women with birthing choices. Birth has always been a part of my life, at a young age I began attending births with my mother. We eventually worked alongside one another in California, until my family and I moved to Michigan in 2007. My husband, Chris and I have been married for 20 years and together we have four outstanding children. Each of their home births were as unique as their developing personalities.
I worked for 7 years as an apprentice, as a daughter of a midwife I knew what the down sides to midwifery life was and I was cautious about having a family while also being a midwife. Once the midwifery need was shown to me, there was nothing stopping it from taking hold as a result, my whole life changed. Chris and I worked hard to make life work with the demands of on call life and family life. I'm lucky to have a husband who believes in my vision as much as I do.
At Simply Born, our team's goal is to empower families, educate and help our clients to make wise, intuitive choices surrounding their birth and parenthood. We are here to help plan and customize birth to fit each individuals needs. At Simply Born, we create a trusting and supportive environment for our our clients to explore birth and parenthood in a harmonious way.
For centuries, giving birth in a home was the norm. Providing the choice of out-of-hospital birth and giving women the authority surrounding their bodies is something I feel passionate about. I looking forward to cultivating a plan for the journey into birth and parenthood along side of you.
Charis Cooper, CPM
When people ask me why I became interested in midwifery, I find myself describing this seed of a dream that was planted somewhere around 2012, after I miscarried our first baby, and it continued to grow to a point where I was just unable to shake it. I have attended nearly 200 births since then, had two of my own little girls at home, and still believe in the beauty and power of entering into someone's birth space. What drives me to continue pursuing this calling is the belief that all birth should be equitable and accessible, where anyone who walks this life-changing journey receives a kind of care that views and values them as a whole, unique individual worthy of compassionate and competent support.
After about 6 years of attending births, both here in Grand Rapids and in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and countless hours of late-night studying, I was certified as a professional midwife in 2022. There have been many moments where the work has felt like it might break me, but my family and I have continued to choose this life and believe it is what I am made to do and I am so honored that I get to do it. I received my associates in midwifery from National College of Midwifery and bachelors in psychology from Cornerstone University.
I would consider myself a “whole picture” kind of midwife. I don’t just do it for the high of witnessing a new life entering the world, but I do it to bear witness to the whole story: the emotional roller-coaster that comes with a positive (or negative) pregnancy test, the prenatal visits where we get to connect as human beings and grow in trust, the journey of labor that is always unpredictable and always worth showing up for, the moment of birth where a couple becomes parents or a family makes room for another member, and the postpartum season where everyone is learning and growing and settling into the new-ness of life together.
I’m here for it all.
Rhiannon McCalmont, Operations Manager, Birth Photographer
A little bit of loud and a whole bunch of laughter. As an Enneagram 7, I love to laugh and encourage others. Getting an opportunity to pour into other women’s lives, encourage their strengths and celebrate their victories is where I want to be.
Currently topping my favorites list: my spouse, being a mama to two incredible humans, Podcast(s), dancing, Kerrygold butter, and collaboration.
When I am not attending to tasks for SimplyBorn, I am a photographer and have my own photography business that focuses on branding for small businesses.
Heidi Robison, RN
We are always looking to improve all aspects of the maternal care that SimplyBorn provides. Some of the areas we have been working to improve is a stronger postpartum care experience, breastfeeding support to our clients and as well as providing rest to our SimplyBorn birth team. This first postpartum visit is typically within 24-48 hours after birth. We want to serve our clients with the most attentive care, this has led us to hiring Heidi Robison.
Heidi has been a mother/baby nurse for 12 years. “ I feel truly blessed to come alongside other mothers to listen, observe, validate, and educate.”
I met Sara in 2015 when I decided I wanted my third birth to be at home. I much preferred the close and personal relationship that was established having a midwife and homebirth. I was thankful for the extended support I received from Sara. Five days after delivery Sara was by my side as I had to go into the hospital to have a D&C for retained placenta. I was so appreciative of the time she sacrificed. Her presence gave me peace of mind. We had kept in touch over the years and talked about how, if the need and opportunity arose, I would love to come along and help out with the postpartum home visits.
I started postpartum home visits with Simply Born in 2019. I feel honored to be able to serve in the area that the Lord has given me a passion for. Every family is so special and it is a gift to be apart of their journey.
I’ll be celebrating my 24th wedding anniversary in the summer of 2023 to my Highschool sweetheart Aaron. We have 3 kids, Raegan 20, Addysen 16, and Hudson 7. My biggest joys come from being with friends and family and hosting gatherings at our home.
Raquel Knack, CLC Lactation Counselor and Childbirth Educator
As the creator of Grand Rapids Natural Birth and Pregnancy and Nourish Lactation Services, you can find me binging on birth videos, talking with midwives, and finding out about the latest things being offered to birthing families in our community. Being with mamas and babies is my happy place! I find so much joy in being with women who are just beginning this vital stage in life. I also love helping new parents learn what birth options may work best for them, and linking them to the resources they need.
When I'm not helping new mothers and babies come together through breastfeeding, or teaching couples about the power of birth, I enjoy fitness classes, camping, traveling, and getting lost in the wildness and beaches of the U.P. and northern Michigan.
Whether it's helping a mother and baby one-on-one, beginning a new childbirth series, or hosting a prenatal yoga class, I truly enjoy encouraging women and couples through this beautiful time of life. I specialize in making the many choices and options of birth and breastfeeding simple and clear.
