Alexa Hanson-Wagner
Doula & Student Midwife
Education -
Bachelors of Science in Midwifery - Midwives College of Utah (2022 - Ongoing)
Associates of Science in Communications - Salt Lake Community College (2019)
Certifications -
Doula Training Completion - DONA International
CPR Certified - American Red Cross
Basic Life Support Certified - American Red Cross
Neonatal Resuscitation Certified - American Academy of Pediatrics
Related work Experience -
Birth Doula (2023 - Ongoing)
Nanny (2015 - 2024)
Beliefs -
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It doesn't cost anything to be kind
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Everyone deserves a positive birth experience
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Each birth is as unique as the individual experiencing it
The Full Story
I like to say my journey into birth work started on the very first day of my life.
At my parent's small home in Logan, Utah, on an early April afternoon, my mom gave birth to me with the assistance of her adored midwife. I was always captivated by the story of my birth, especially because I immediately picked up on the fact that it was unique. It was my version of Show and Tell! I was born at home.
My mother’s birth story had set the standard for what I expected every birth story to be like. Slow, calm, quiet, intimate, and consistently attended to. My mother described her midwife as ‘knowing exactly what [I was] doing, at all times’, she could feel my mother's belly and know which part of me was down and which way I was facing. She remained present throughout the entire labor, fully focused on supporting my mother however she needed. When I was born, she kept me close to my mother, completing my newborn exam where my mother could see me. And most importantly, she walked my mother through each choice, action, and step she made. My mother trusted her completely.
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Passion turned into practice when I finally applied and was accepted into the Bachelors of Science in Midwifery program at Midwives College of Utah in 2022. My enrollment is ongoing as I pursue my certification in Midwifery and build my education to support my practice. By the time I graduate and pass my NARM (North American Registry of Midwives) exam, I hope to be a well-oiled machine in terms of experience and knowledge, to benefit each of my clients. I want my clients to know that when they work with me, they are working with a midwife who uses evidence-based practice to give them the best outcome possible.
For now, I’m thoroughly enjoying my role as a doula. I love being in this space where my only focus is supporting my clients. I don’t have to worry about placing the perfect stitch or making sure everything is charted correctly. Right now, I can hold my client’s hand (or leg!) while they push their baby out, and cheer by their side “You’re doing it!” I get to see my passion for birth work come to life even before I complete my journey.
I like to say my journey into birth work started on the very first day of my life. Born at home with the guidance of my mother’s midwife, I was welcomed into the world in a calm, connected environment that shaped my understanding of what birth could be. That early exposure stayed with me, and now, many years later, I am so grateful to be on this path.
‘Connected,’ is the word I would choose to describe my mother’s birth story. I knew the level of care that my mother received during her pregnancy and birth was something special.
Although I had been introduced to midwifery and birth work, it wasn't a career I immediately considered. That changed during my freshman year of college when I took a Human Development course. I found myself captivated, unable to unglue my eyes from the material surrounding pregnancy and birth. It scratched an itch somewhere in my head and I thought, ‘Aha! There is something here for me.’
I’ve been asked before, 'Why not Obstetrics and Gynecology?' or 'Why not become a Labor & Delivery nurse?' To be completely honest, those paths were never even a consideration. I think it’s because subconsciously I knew those work environments didn’t match the definition I had set for myself as a birth worker, Connected. This is not to say that Obstetricians and Nurses don’t build a connection with their patients, as I have personally witnessed that they in fact do! For me, the profession of a Doula and Midwife allows for a more intimate, one-on-one approach, where I can truly take the time to understand each client’s unique journey. While the work of Obstetricians and L&D nurses is vital in high-paced in busy hospital settings, I’ve always felt pulled toward the slower, more personalized care that midwifery and doula work offer. I love being able to create a calm, nurturing space where we can really connect, and the care can be more individualized during such a meaningful time. This is the care that was given to my mother, and in turn, myself, and it is the care that I want to pass on.
A Little Bit More
There are many things that I enjoy outside of birth work. I was born and raised in Utah, which means I find a lot of happiness in being outside in our gorgeous mountains and down south in the sea of red rock. I was about 4 weeks old when my parents took me on my first camping trip. I could not tell you whether or not I enjoyed it back then, but I never stopped going camping, so I certainly enjoy it now.
While I grew up in Utah, I spent my summers in Iowa where the rest of my family is located. I fondly look back on the days that I spent on my family’s farm, exploring the barns and running through the fields. I like to say this is where I got my CHARM from! Midwestern people have a certain level of sweetness about them that can’t be ignored. Maybe it comes from all of that sweet corn that they grow. And maybe that is why I connected so quickly with my Michigander partner, Travis.
We enjoy many of my favorite hobbies together such as kayaking, going to concerts, eating delicious food (who doesn’t?), and one hobby that we truly bonded over, skiing. After an entire childhood of avoiding it like the plague, it is now my favorite hobby and one of my favorite ways to spend time with Travis and our friends. Because of that, I would say Winter is my favorite time of the year, so long as we have snow to go with the cold.
At one point in my life, it was my dream to perform on the Broadway stage. My parents involved me in Dance, Musical Theater, and Choir at an early age, which I continued into my adulthood. Although it's no longer my main focus, I still find joy in the performing arts by taking part in community musical theater productions and singing with a local choir, One Voice in aChord, where I've been a member for nearly 10 years!
For a LONG time before I dove into birth work, I worked in Childcare. I nannied for a total of 6 different families and thanks to the support of many of them, I was able to pursue midwifery. It was an honor for me to watch their children grow, and it was also such a hard tie to cut. I am grateful that I get to continue those relationships to this day.
My last honorable mention is Travis and I’s big bowl of chocolate pudding (or some might refer to him as a Chocolate Labrador). At four years old, Rio is a big ball of love and energy, and he makes for one of the best adventure buddies (and vacuum cleaners) I could ask for.
If you have read this far, I hope you have gained insight into who I am as a person, and what I may be like as a doula and student-midwife. These are the pieces of my life that bring me joy and shape who I am, and I share them with you in the hope that, through this connection, I might have the honor of getting to know you, too.
