Heike Hornsby (née Doyle), LM, CPM, Birth Center Co-Owner

Midwifery is not something I do, it is something I am, it is within me. When I am with a someone in labor, whatever is needed is what I give, it just comes out. It has been more than 30 years since I attended my first birth, and 2000 births later I am still as passionate as I was then. I spend a bit less time on call and in prenatal care these days. I am mostly active in running my practice and the birth center, working in midwifery politics, and mentoring the next generation of midwives, so most of your care will be with my fabulous team. But that said, I look forward to meeting and working with you and supporting your journey in all the ways I can. I wanted to be a midwife for as long as I can remember. I was born at home in Germany and grew up with the fundamental belief that birth is normal. At 25, my midwifery journey began when I apprenticed under experienced rural midwives in the mountains of Kentucky. The conditions were poor and often there wasn’t running water. People lived on dirt floors or in trailers, and there was no available healthcare outside of that which the midwives brought. The strength of those women, mothers and midwives both, taught me to be humble. Through these wise women I developed my philosophy of birth: babies know how to get in and they know how to get out. However, I knew that I still had much to learn so I decided that I needed more formal education in order to be of better service to pregnant people and their babies.

In 1993, I graduated from the Seattle Midwifery School (now Bastyr University’s Department of Midwifery) and became a Licensed Midwife. By 1999, I had become the co-owner of the Puget Sound Birth Center. I now work closely with my fabulous, skilled team of midwives to provide family-centered care by helping to ensure optimal health for the birthing person and child, encouraging a trust in the process of birth and helping to ease this joyful transition for families.

In my free time, my husband and I love to travel. We are avid scuba divers and love to explore the natural beauty of this amazing world. I savor good, healthy food and can appreciate a well- aged single malt. I enjoy time with my grown children (all 3 born at home with midwives) and their partners. More than anything though, I enjoy being in my beloved home with my dogs, a good book and a hot cup of tea.