Today we’d like to introduce you to Cat Palmer.
Cat, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve always been interested in how people carry stories in their bodies. I first pursued that interest as a dancer, but after studying public health as an undergraduate student at Elon University I realized I wanted to work with health and bodies in a more direct way. I worked in public health in Alamance County after graduation, and then simultaneously became a doula and lactation consultant. While working in these roles I realized my passion for sexual and reproductive health exceeded the scope of practice for a doula or lactation consultant, and decided to pursue midwifery, I attended Emory University for both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in nursing, which allowed me to become a Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM). I’ve worked as a midwife in both hospital and birth center settings since 2021. I am thrilled to be back in North Carolina and to be part of the rich tradition of community midwifery care that exists in our state,
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I don’t know anyone who has walked a smooth road! Deciding on an educational pathway to midwifery, moving states, and completing my clinical education were all struggles I faced in my midwifery journey. Completing clinical rotations during the height of the covid19 pandemic was especially challenging, and inducted me into a medical profession during a time of great distrust in the medical system. It was a formative time in my career, and has made a lasting impact on how I find my place in, adjacent to, and outside of the conventional medical system.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a certified nurse-midwife (CNM) and internationally board-certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) at the North Carolina Birth Center, where I also serve as the Director of Midwifery. While I love all aspects of pregnancy and birth, I especially love the postpartum period and helping new families adjust to their babies and their new lives. I love seeing the transformation from hesitant, anxious new parents to confident, joyful parents delighting in their babies and parenting from the heart. I walk with families on this pathway by offering infant feeding and postpartum mental health support.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Safety of community birth depends on the trust between the midwife and the birthing client/family. I try to develop trust between myself and my clients by being curious, empathetic, and honest. I want to offer my clients both the latest evidence on pregnancy/birth/postpartum health and emotional support so that they can make the decisions that are right for themselves, their bodies, their babies, and their families. I never presume to be the expert, because my clients have the highest level of expertise in their own lives.
Pricing:
- We are working to become in-network providers with major insurers.
- We are happy to provide you a superbill to submit to your insurance for out-of-network provider reimbursement
- The self-pay rate is $8,500.00 for all routine pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care, which includes infant care up to 28 days of life
- Before becoming a client of the North Carolina Birth Center, we can complete a Verification of Benefits for you to communicate with your insurance provider and give you an estimated out-of-pocket cost based on your specific insurance plan.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.northcarolinabirthcenter.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northcarolinabirthcenter/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NCBirthCenter/
