Susanrachel Condon CNM

"I view pregnancy and the birth of a family as an extraordinary, sacred and private experience. As a midwife, I seek to honor the individuality of all women and families and their unique needs and desires for this transformative time in their lives. Giving birth to my three children with dignity and respectful care inspired me to offer the same to others."

Susanrachel, a.k.a. Birdie, graduated from the SUNY Health Science Center at Brooklyn Midwifery Program in 1998. She is a licensed in New York as a Midwife and Ob-Gyn Nurse Practitioner. She was also certified to teach childbirth preparation, newborn care and breastfeeding classes in 1996 by the Childbirth Education Association of Metropolitan New York (CEAMNY). She served two terms as President of the CEAMNY Board of Directors. Susanrachel has also been a licensed Massage Therapist since 1991. She served on the faculty of the Swedish Institute College of Massage Therapy & Allied Health Sciences for more than ten years and currently participates extensively in their continuing education program. Since 1994, she has taught Bodywork for the Childbearing Cycle, a nationally accredited certification course for massage and bodywork professionals. She and her husband Richard, a massage therapist and certified Rolfer, have produced an advanced techniques video on the subject in addition to a DVD for couples and childbirth professionals. They have also lectured widely as private consultants at conferences, hospitals, birth centers, schools and spas. Susanrachel holds a BFA in Art Therapy and has studied birth counseling with Gayle Peterson and counseling for pregnant survivors of sexual abuse with Penny Simkin. She is the mother of Hannah (14), Daniel (12) and Malcolm (6).

Susan Rannestad CPM CM

"When I was a child and people would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would look up at my Mom, a little shy, and she would say “a teacher or a nurse“ then I would speak up and say “and a MOMMY.“ Now, as a Midwife I get to realize both my Mother's and my own dreams. Helping people learn more about their own healthcare and watching them make choices that are right for their families has been a gift to my own life. Being a Midwife means I get to watch women be good mothers. That is what I want for myself as well, to be a good Mother."

Susan is the mother of three grown children. After the hospital birth of her son Paul (25), Susan began her studies in maternity care in both Germany and the United States. In the past, she worked as a Childbirth Educator, La Leche League Leader and ICAN (International Cesarean Awareness Network) Board Member. She currently serves on the Board of The Midwives Alliance of New York. Susan finished her apprenticeship in Midwifery after the home births of her daughters Erica (20) and Michaela (18). Susan is a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) through NARM, The North American Registry of Midwives, a Certified Midwife (CM) through ACNM, The American College of Nurse Midwives, and a Licensed Midwife (LM) in the State of New York. Currently Susan also serves on the faculty of The National College of Midwifery, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Midwifery.