Small and thorny, the Hawthorn tree has a long history of medicinal use that is backed by modern day research. It is heart medicine, both literally and figuratively, with herbal significance as well as beautiful symbolism.
The Hawthorn represents hope and courage, both of which will serve you well in pregnancy and beyond. It is a symbol of transformation. Extreme conditions are balanced by the opposite, like the thorns with flowers. Pain with Beauty. Loss. Life.
Birth.
We believe in the power of transformation. Experience your pregnancy and birth without inhibition or judgement. Navigate this journey feeling confident in your decision-making.
Hawthorn Midwifery was created with the vision to offer safe and informed, family-centered care. Heart-healing care.
Meet your midwife!
Kera Lyman, CPM, LM
I am a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) and Licensed Midwife (LM)
in the state of Utah, Oklahoma, and now Idaho. I received my training through the NARM PEP process, with a combination of schooling and working in many different clinical settings under an apprenticeship model. I had the privilege of working with several highly experienced midwives to care for well over 200 families through pregnancy, loss, labor and birth, and the postpartum period.
Prior to midwifery, I served more than 100 families as a birth and bereavement doula and birth photographer over 6 years of practice.
I have specialized training through CAPPA International, Spinning Babies and Breech Without Borders. I have a passion for working with families as they make intentional, educated decisions.
As a midwife, I encourage preventative care through healthy eating, physical movement, and connection. I also believe in evidence-based research and protocols to keep clients as safe as possible. I value traditional methods alongside conventional tools such as IV therapy, oxygen, and medications when needed.
I practiced as a primary midwife at Innate Midwifery and Two Leaves Midwifery in Utah, and spent some time in Oklahoma as an independent contracted midwife before moving to Idaho and starting Hawthorn Midwifery.
I am a mother to four children; two vivacious daughters, an inquisitive son, and a beautiful boy who was stillborn at 35 weeks. When I'm not at a birth, I'm homeschooling my three rascals while dreaming about having a small homestead.
My own birth experiences have been incredibly different and they fundamentally influenced my decision to become a midwife. My first was an OBYGN managed birth. I was induced without medical necessity and without understanding the risks involved. I narrowly avoided an emergency cesarean due to induction complications. The experience left me full of questions and I really dove into educating myself about birth interventions. My second pregnancy ended in a stillbirth at 35 weeks, and I ended up with another induction that I had really hoped to avoid. There were so many aspects to birthing a baby that I couldn't take home that I was unprepared for, and the management of my pregnancy and birth opened the door to another perspective on grief and birth, intertwined. This became my motivation to train as a bereavement doula and offer support to other families experiencing the unfair reality of loss. I had planned for an unmedicated birth in the hospital with my third child but ended up with a manipulated, abusive experience that brought with it a lot of physical and emotional trauma. My recovery was very difficult, with severe postpartum depression and rage that took me to the darkest place I've ever been. Again, my view was shifted- this time involving birth trauma and postpartum care for mothers. My fourth birth healed me, and showed me how empowering a supported and informed birth can be. After switching providers several times, I finally found my team in the third trimester with a home birth midwife and doula support. I birthed my baby in the water, with respect and patience from the people surrounding me. For the first time birthing, I felt safe and prioritized. My passion for birth work was ignited.