Tracy Lough

My journey to becoming a midwife began in 2000 after the home birth of my daughter. The moment I reached down and lifted my daughter into my arms, I felt such an inspiration to work with women and families around birth. In 2002 I began attending births while becoming a Bradley Method childbirth instructor, Hypbirth facilitator (natural childbirth hypnosis program), and ALACE certified doula.  In 2009 I became a Placenta Encapsulation Specialist through PBi. I received my certification as a California Licensed Midwife and nationally Certified Professional Midwife in 2011. I birthed all three of my children at home with loving midwives.
     My son was born into my 9 year old daughter’s hands after an hour labor. His first couple weeks were hard. I had always had challenges nursing my children in the beginning with mastitis (breast infections), pain, and soreness, but he wasn’t gaining weight or passing stools.  We soon discovered we needed to clip his frenulum to help him nurse. Though I felt relief from this procedure, he was still having a hard time latching well due to the tightness in his jaw. I decided to see a Craniosacral Therapist.  She helped my son relax his jaw and release tension in order to nurse effectively while allowing me to trust in the breastfeeding process, follow my instincts, and release my own fears, stress and guilt I was carrying. After witnessing my son son respond so quickly to this treatment and watching the issues resolve, I decided I would one day learn Craniosacral Therapy.
     Today, I have been a part of almost 500 births. I am proud to be a guardian and keeper of normal, healthy pregnancies and birth and am committed and skilled in providing an emotionally and physically safe space for women who choose to birth at home or in the Birth Yurt. I began my training in Craniosacral Therapy in 2016 under Carol Gray in Portland, Oregon and am so thrilled to be able to offer this to pregnant women, infants and postpartum women to promote healthy births, babies and families. In 2019, I began my studies with the The Upledger Institute as a way to go deeper with his work.
     ​I am listening to the body and giving the body permission to find balance and heal. Dr. Upledger, the founder of Craniosacral Therapy, calls this "Your Inner Physician," but I prefer "The Inner Midwife" as you bring your body back into harmony in a gentle way.