Sara Badger, LM, CPM - Owner

I started Simply Born in Grand Rapids in 2010 and have been a gentle force of change and growth in the West Michigan's birthing community ever since. It has been my vision to help foster improvements to the birth community with the goal of empowering more women with birthing  choices. Birth has always been a part of my life, at a young age I began attending births with my mother. We eventually worked alongside one another in California, until my family and I moved to Michigan in 2007. My husband, Chris and I have been married for 20 years and together we have four outstanding children. Each of their home births were as unique as their developing personalities. 

  I worked for 7 years as an apprentice, as a daughter of a midwife I knew what the down sides to midwifery life was and I was cautious about having a family while also being a midwife. Once the midwifery need was shown to me, there was nothing stopping it from taking hold as a result, my whole life changed. Chris and I worked hard to make life work with the demands of on call life and family life. I'm lucky to have a husband who believes in my vision as much as I do. 

At Simply Born, our team's goal is to empower families, educate and help our clients to make wise, intuitive choices surrounding their birth and parenthood. We are here to help plan and customize birth to fit each individuals needs. At Simply Born, we create a trusting and supportive environment for our our clients to explore birth and parenthood in a harmonious way.

For centuries, giving birth in a home was the norm. Providing the choice of out-of-hospital birth and giving women the authority surrounding their bodies is something I feel passionate about. I looking forward to cultivating a plan for the journey into birth and parenthood along side of you.

Charis Cooper, CPM

When people ask me why I became interested in midwifery, I find myself describing this seed of a dream that was planted somewhere around 2012, after I miscarried our first baby, and it continued to grow to a point where I was just unable to shake it. I have attended nearly 200 births since then, had two of my own little girls at home, and still believe in the beauty and power of entering into someone's birth space. What drives me to continue pursuing this calling is the belief that all birth should be equitable and accessible, where anyone who walks this life-changing journey receives a kind of care that views and values them as a whole, unique individual worthy of compassionate and competent support. 

After about 6 years of attending births, both here in Grand Rapids and in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and countless hours of late-night studying, I was certified as a professional midwife in 2022. There have been many moments where the work has felt like it might break me, but my family and I have continued to choose this life and believe it is what I am made to do and I am so honored that I get to do it. I received my associates in midwifery from National College of Midwifery and bachelors in psychology from Cornerstone University.

I would consider myself a “whole picture” kind of midwife. I don’t just do it for the high of witnessing a new life entering the world, but I do it to bear witness to the whole story: the emotional roller-coaster that comes with a positive (or negative) pregnancy test, the prenatal visits where we get to connect as human beings and grow in trust, the journey of labor that is always unpredictable and always worth showing up for, the moment of birth where a couple becomes parents or a family makes room for another member, and the postpartum season where everyone is learning and growing and settling into the new-ness of life together.

I’m here for it all. 

Tayla Rucker, Front Office Support, Birth Assistant

The chance to be involved in women’s health is such a dear opportunity to me. In high school, I would always use my independent reading time to seek out non-fiction pregnancy, birth, and healthcare-related topics. Ever since I have been passionate about health equity and especially lessening disparities for women of color.

I am currently a nursing student at Grand Valley State University with a minor in nonprofit administration. Working at SimplyBorn has been incredibly empowering and I feel honored to be in the birth space.

Outside of school and work, I like to spend my time outdoors in the sun at the beach (for the limited time I get here in Michigan). I love thrifting and shopping as well as spending time with family, friends, and my cutie cat Oscar.

Leigh-Ann, Office Support

Leigh-Ann grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where her passion for midwifery care ignited.  Ever since Leigh-Ann was 4 years old, she wanted to be a midwife.  Her mother was under the care of a midwife for her pregnancy, and although she doesn’t remember specifics, she believes that the way the midwife included her with her mother’s pregnancy is what sparked her interest.  She carried that interest as she grew and eventually went to Grand Valley State University to pursue her dreams. 

After graduating GVSU with a bachelor’s degree in Health Professions, Leigh-Ann started a position as an Ophthalmic Technician with a well-known Ophthalmologist in the area. In December of 2014, Leigh-Ann lovingly welcomed her first child with Sara and the Simply Born team.

In October 2016, Leigh-Ann joined the team at Simply Born.  She joined the team as the Office Manager where she answered phone calls, emails, assisted with paperwork and other tasks. After the birth of her third child, with SimplyBorn, Leigh-Ann assists behind the scenes as a support role to the team. Leigh-Ann is delighted to be in the environment she always envisioned for herself.  We are so excited to have her on our team!

Rhiannon McCalmont, Operations Manager, Birth Photographer

A little bit of loud and a whole bunch of laughter. As an Enneagram 7, I love to laugh and encourage others. Getting an opportunity to pour into other women’s lives, encourage their strengths and celebrate their victories is where I want to be.

Currently topping my favorites list: my spouse, being a mama to two incredible humans, Podcast(s), dancing, Kerrygold butter, and collaboration.

When I am not attending to tasks for SimplyBorn, I am a photographer and have my own photography business that focuses on branding for small businesses.

Heidi Robison, RN

We are always looking to improve all aspects of the maternal care that SimplyBorn provides. Some of the areas we have been working to improve is a stronger postpartum care experience, breastfeeding support to our clients and as well as providing rest to our SimplyBorn birth team. This first postpartum visit is typically within 24-48 hours after birth. We want to serve our clients with the most attentive care, this has led us to hiring Heidi Robison.

Heidi has been a mother/baby nurse for 12 years. “ I feel truly blessed to come alongside other mothers to listen, observe, validate, and educate.”

I met Sara in 2015 when I decided I wanted my third birth to be at home.  I much preferred the close and personal relationship that was established having a midwife and homebirth. I was thankful for the extended support I received from Sara.  Five days after delivery Sara was by my side as I had to go into the hospital to have a D&C for retained placenta. I was so appreciative of the time she sacrificed. Her presence gave me peace of mind. We had kept in touch over the years and talked about how, if the need and opportunity arose, I would love to come along and help out with the postpartum home visits. 

I started postpartum home visits with Simply Born in 2019.  I feel honored to be able to serve in the area that the Lord has given me a passion for.  Every family is so special and it is a gift to be apart of their journey.

I’ll be celebrating my 24th wedding anniversary in the summer of 2023 to my Highschool sweetheart Aaron.  We have 3 kids, Raegan 20, Addysen 16, and Hudson 7.  My biggest joys come from being with friends and family and hosting gatherings at our home.

Raquel Knack, CLC Lactation Counselor and Childbirth Educator

As the creator of Grand Rapids Natural Birth and Pregnancy and Nourish Lactation Services, you can find me binging on birth videos, talking with midwives, and finding out about the latest things being offered to birthing families in our community.  Being with mamas and babies is my happy place!  I find so much joy in being with women who are just beginning this vital stage in life.  I also love helping new parents learn what birth options may work best for them, and linking them to the resources they need. 

When I'm not helping new mothers and babies come together through breastfeeding, or teaching couples about the power of birth, I enjoy fitness classes, camping, traveling, and getting lost in the wildness and beaches of the U.P. and northern Michigan.

Whether it's helping a mother and baby one-on-one, beginning a new childbirth series, or hosting a prenatal yoga class, I truly enjoy encouraging women and couples through this beautiful time of life. I specialize in making the many choices and options of birth and breastfeeding simple and clear. 

Andrea Andersen, Birth Assistant

Andrea is originally from Ludington, MI she now lives on the west side of Grand Rapids with her husband, 2 children and dog. Andrea earned a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Arizona State University with post graduate work at Central Michigan University. Her prior work experience includes nurse tech in the burn unit at Spectrum Health and long term care as a CNA.

When my first baby was born in 2015, I discovered my profound respect for laboring women. The birth of my son was my own emergence into the world as a mother. From then on, I knew I could help other women have the birth experience be full of joy with people they choose to share in this most intimate moment. I want women to feel safe, loved and empowered during this transition into motherhood, just as I did in my own home birth experience.

In my endeavors, both personal and professional, I tend to be an all-or-nothing kind of woman. I am able to offer my whole self in the time when women are at their most powerful and most vulnerable. I strive to help women come in to their own power in my role as a Lead Birth Assistant as they birth their babies and journey into the path of motherhood.

Brooke Simpson, Doula

Hello! I am a loving mother to four awesome boys and wife to my husband Mark. We have been together for over a decade now. Needless to say, those boys are my world!

I found that in becoming a doula, I have discovered not only my passion but my purpose in life. With each step taken to becoming a part of the birth world I could feel the fire within me grow and just knew this was meant for me. I cannot express the gratitude I feel at being welcomed into the birth space and being needed and appreciated for the work that I do. I work to bring peace, love and endless support into the birth space and take home lessons learned and growth within myself.

My desire to be there to help women through the process of transforming from womanhood into motherhood is endless. The process is empowering and beautiful and I fully appreciate every single client. It is my goal and mission in life to help you and your partner have had a better birth experience. You can find out more about my doula services at www.BrookeElizabethCD.com