Our Mission

The Des Moines Midwife Collective (DMC) is a collective of Certified Nurse-Midwives serving Des Moines, Central, and Rural Iowa. Our mission is to provide more choice to Iowa families in birth and reproductive health and to partner with families to create safe, physiologic, empowering experiences in the realm of birth, parenthood, and self care.

Our team of midwives practice full scope midwifery and are experienced in gynecology, prenatal care, birth assistance, postpartum care, lactation, and more!

For us, midwifery is more than simply a career – it’s a calling. Our midwives have received extensive training and certifications to provide exceptional levels of care for every family we serve. We’re proud to have an amazing, dedicated team of midwives to not only help guide our pregnant patients, but to also assist them at every stage of life.

Caitlin Hainley

DNP, ARNP-CNM, IBCLC

I have been described as an eternal optimist, tenacious, full of energy. My hair is non-compliant. There are many things in which I find joy. I love reading books and watching movies of all genres. I adore cooking for family and eating good food that others have cooked for me. Exploring nature alone and with my family is a treasure. We love to travel and we love our Wirehaired Griffon, Merlin. My husband is a gem who has loved me tirelessly for decades. I believe in kindness, the restorative power of community, the stewardship of the earth and in accessible and available midwifery care for all. 

Paxton McCarthy

CNM, whnp

I am a graduate from Georgetown University with a Master of Science in Nursing. I discovered my calling to midwifery early-on during my undergraduate studies at Luther College. I worked as a registered nurse in women’s health for 5 years before returning to complete my midwifery and women’s health nurse practitioner degrees. A native of Illinois, I have made my home in Iowa where I have lived for the past 10 years. While I love empowering families, I also enjoy traveling the world with my husband, losing myself in a really good book, and adventuring outdoors any chance I get. I am beyond excited to join Des Moines Midwife Collective and support their mission in providing quality reproductive and wellness care for all.

Katherine

Birth Assistant

I am an Iowa Girl with a passion for birth and babies! For as long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated with pregnancy and birth. I became a labor doula right out of high school and quickly realized birth work was for me.

Then, I decided to combine my excitement for birth with my passion for wellness and became a licensed massage therapist in 2019, specializing in prenatal, postpartum, and infant massage. I am also a trained postpartum doula and Stillbirthday bereavement doula. I trained with Stillbirthday in honor of my miscarried son, James. In October of 2024, I became a certified professional midwife (CPM) and currently assist home birth midwives around the metro. 

Outside of birth & babies, I taught piano for 10+ years and love to read. I enjoy spending time with my husband, Connor, busy little girls, Remi and Maisie, and mini dachshunds, Benny and Fitz. We love dancing (country or vintage swing) and cooking up tasty eats for entertaining guests.

Christine

Birth Assistant

Christine has worked in the medical field since late ‘90s. Her background includes work in long-term care, functional medicine, and corrections in a variety of settings including in-home, at a clinic, or in the hospital. This included almost 18 years working as a nurse with a non-profit organization that works with moms and children age 0-5 on prenatal/postnatal care and lactation consultation. Her passion for functional medicine has led her to help teach/direct others so they too can understand the benefits of identifying the root causes of health concerns, and how powerful our bodies are to self-heal when we know how to nourish it properly. Her faith and four amazing daughters are the most important things in her life, and enjoys nature, cooking/baking, gardening, and the company of other human beings uplifting and encouraging each other. She also speaks Spanish fluently! In Christine's words, "I find the amazing life experience of childbirth is a blessing and something that I don’t take lightly to be able to be part of. I will strive my best to make it the best experience for all involved." 

Katie

Birth Assistant

Katie is a licensed practical nurse, massage therapist and mom to four children, three of which were home births. After working on a hospital surgical floor in 2001, she wished that a more holistic approach was used in medicine and decided to go to school for massage therapy, as well as finish her nursing degree from Grandview University. After become a licensed massage therapist and licensed nurse, she continued to massage and help women in the community in areas such as breastfeeding, baby wearing, and attending births as a support person. In 2016 she began her work as a birth assistant, and has been balancing raising kids, massaging and assisting in births ever since. Katie hopes to continue this dream job for many years to come.

Fia

Office Assistant

Fia holds a BFA in art and design from Iowa State University, and a BSHS in pre-medical studies from Mercy College of Health Sciences. She has two children (both born with the help of midwives), loves all things science, and enjoys reading and writing poetry in her spare time. She firmly believes that all birthing people should have access to affordable, quality midwifery care, and is excited to have a supporting role in achieving this mission within the Des Moines community.