Believe Midwifery Services

Penny Lane BA, MSN, CNM, IBCLC

The events of my daughter's birth were my inspiration for nursing, as I immediately recognized the need for a medical advocate.  Following completion of my associate's degree in nursing in 1997, I began my six year nursing journey in the obstetrical intensive care unit at the Indiana Medical Center.  Here I became skilled in obstetrical and neonatal emergencies, developed understanding of high-risk pregnancies, gained experience as a bereavement counselor, and enjoyed assisting families from their entry into childbirth education classes through postpartum breastfeeding support.  This experience, most importantly, grew in me a fierce advocate and allowed me to recognize my call to midwifery.

Not immediately knowing any midwifery resources, I lived my dream through the birth plans and shared dreams of the families I assisted in the hospital.  I was then given the opportunity to assist in establishing Gentle Beginnings, an in-house birthing center at Methodist Hospital.  Soon after, I began assisting Nurse Midwives in an out-of-hospital birthing center. 

My first homebirth however, was in 2002 at the birth of my best friend's son.  Although this was a new experience for me, it seemed so familiar, more so even than the 1,000 hospital births in the hospital I had already attended.  My path became visible and I stepped forward in faith.

Requiring a bachlor's degree prior to graduate school, I embarked upon an arts degree in Maternal & Child Health: Lactation Consulting from the Union Institute and University.  This training offered me exceptional training and certification in the diverse profession of lactation.  My private lactation practice was the initiation of Believe Lactation Services.

Immediately following completion of this program in 2003, I entered the Nurse Midwifery program at the Frontier School of Nurse Midwifery and Family Nursing where I earned my master's in nursing and certification in Nurse Midwifery.

Through my studies I continued seeking homebirth experience, either through assistance to friends and clients as labor support or through assistance to direct entry midwives.  The Lord deepened my faith as he revealed His perfect plan for the birthing process, conception through breastfeeding.

My passion has further directed me in both advocacy and education, in effort to create cultural change particularly within the Christian church.  Currently, I thoroughly enjoy leading the Boone, Clinton and Montgomery County Breastfeeding Coalition in their many community activities, writing maternal and child health articles for publication, and co-leading a community breastfeeding support group.  I am also faculty at the Midwifery College of Utah, a Christian, distance learning program for midwifery training.  Above all, my passion is at home as wife and mother to my four beautiful, homeschooled children.  I praise the Lord for my many blessings and prayerfully seek His guidance along my path.

Midwifery Apprentice

The staff of Believe Midwifery Services has the desire "to see themselves surpassed," so has opened their practice to precepting midwifery students.  Currently, Felicia Marki-Zay, is apprenticing with Believe and is a student of the Midwives College of Utah.

Felicia Marki-Zay, Midwife Apprentice

Felicia is blessed with a very supportive husband and six beautiful children.  She is originally from Hungary, but with little midwifery support in her country, she moved to Canada in hopes of following her dreams for midwifery.  After a few years in Canada, which she thoroughly enjoyed, her husband's job transferred them to Indiana allowing us the pleasure of working with her as she continues her midwifery training.

Felicia was previously a birth doula and has experienced births in Hungary, Finland, Canada and the United States, both in the hospital and out-of-hospital.  Following her training in the United States, Felicia and her family plan to return to Hungary in effort for her to provide midwifery choices in her home country.  She is a brilliant woman and will be missed dearly by each of us upon her departure.

Interesting history... Felicia has a master's degree in physics and an undergraduate degree in interior design.  She is currently seeking a graduate degree in midwifery, and has a near 4.0 GPA at the Midwifery College of Utah.

Birth Assistants

All birth assistants of Believe Midwifery Services have extensive experience assisting birthing families.  Each are certified in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, neonatal resuscitation, and S.T.A.B.L.E., with several additionally certified in areas of lactation, childbirth education, doula support, bereavement, and advanced cardiac life support.  

Franny Meritt BSN, RN, SNM

Franny is a pastor's wife and mother of four.  Her youngest two were born at home, following a cesarean section with her second child.  She not only has a strong desire for supporting birthing families, but has a passion for birth advocacy.  Franny is currently pursuing her master's degree in nursing and certification as a Nurse Midwife at the Frontier School of Midwifery & Family Nursing.

She has taught childbirth classes since 1998.  Franny is currently teaches childbirth education courses at the Lafayette Community Clinic and leads Gently Led, a Christ centered childbirth education ministry.  She also works occasional hours at St Vincent Frankfort Hospital within obstetrics.

Franny is co-chair of the Boone, Clinton and Montgomery County Breastfeeding Coalition and a member of L.A.D.I.E.S., a doula organization in Lafayette.  She is certified in breastfeeding support, as well as a certified childbirth educator and doula.

Paula Miller MSN, RN

Paula has been the wife of a wonderful, Christian man for over twenty-two years and is the mother of three beautiful children.  Her first two children were born by cesarean section and the third was an empowering, natural birth.  Paula has a strong passion for birth support and feels her calling is to help other couples in their childbirth process.

Paula has attended births for over twenty years.  She holds a master's degree in nursing from IUPUI and carries certifications in childbirth education, as a DONA birth doula and additionally, is a DONA doula trainer.  She is currently adjunct faculty within the University of Indianapolis' nursing program.  Paula is co-founder of MOMS, which is an organization offering birth doula trainings, as well as co-founder of Birth By Design, which is a private doula practice. 

Paula has a talent for birth photography and enjoys capturing the beauty of birth for the families she supports.  Her desire is that each family experience a sense of accomplishment and over-whelming joy. 

Seeking Birth Assistants

Interested applicatants are welcome to send a cover letter and resume to penny@believemidwiferyservices.com

Applicants must hold a valid RN license in the state of Indiana or a current CPM certification.  NRP, CPR, and S.T.A.B.L.E. are also required of all attendants.

Competitive pay!