Expert Pregnancy Care ... Your Way

At Minnesota Women’s Care, women have the option of having their birth attended by a midwife or an physician (MD). Every woman has unique needs and no one provider option is right for all women. Therefore, we are happy to provide the options so you can make the right selection for you.

What is a midwife?

The word ‘midwife’ means “with woman”. A midwife provides care that reflects her deep understanding of a woman’s needs and that of her newborn throughout the intricate process of pregnancy, labor, and birth. She also provides care and support through the days and weeks following birth with mothering and breastfeeding support. Our midwives are equipped to help guide and support women through many stages of life including pregnancy.

Midwives Model of Care: Woman-Centered

The Midwives Model of Care is based on the fact that pregnancy and birth are normal life processes. The Midwives Model of Care includes:

  • Monitoring the physical, psychological, and social well-being of the mother throughout the childbearing cycle
  • Providing the mother with individualized education, counseling, and prenatal care, continuous hands-on assistance during labor and delivery, and postpartum support
  • Minimizing technological interventions
  • Identifying and referring women who require obstetrical attention

The application of this woman-centered model of care has been proven to reduce the incidence of birth injury, trauma, and cesarean section.

A Healthy and Safe Delivery

Having the birth experience that you desire is of high importance to us. Having a healthy and safe delivery for you and your baby is of foremost importance. Our midwife's years of experience provides the ability also to identify abnormal conditions in a mother or baby which would indicate need of further care and consultation with our obstetrician (MD) when necessary.

What our patients say:

Heather DeJarnett is one of the best provider I have seen at MN Women's Care. Highly recommend if you ever have any issue with GYN.
K.A.K. - Patient

Weekend Warrior Childbirth Prep Classes

Our own Torri Washington - experienced midwife and mother of three - teaches our birthing prep class. This is the perfect place to find out exactly what you can expect. Call us for details on the next session.

Meet our Midwives

Torri Washington (left) and Heather DeJarnett (right) enjoying a light moment at a community mom+baby event.

Torri Washington
Certified Nurse Midwife

Nurse-midwife Torri Washington is well-known to many women through her practice at Aspen Medical Group. We’re pleased she is now in practice at Minnesota Women's Care with her former colleagues, Dr. Melvin Ashford and Andrea Brockberg, CNP.

Torri really listens to mothers-to-be and provides the specialized care they want and need. If you’re looking for an extraordinary, distinctive and personalized pregnancy experience, Torri’s expert care and our Uniquely Catered Pregnancy Program may be exactly what you have in mind.

Read more about Torri here.

Heather DeJarnett
Certified Nurse Midwife

Heather has been a part of the delivery experience for many women in the Twin Cities first as a labor and delivery nurse and later as a midwife. We're so pleased she is now a part of our practice. She shares our passion for providing expert care to women during pregnancy and delivery. The enthusiasm she brings to her work is really inspiring. Her personal experience and her expertise as a nurse and certified nurse midwife makes her a great support to pregnant moms of all ages.

Read more about Heather here.

Julie Ann Vingers
Certified Nurse Midwife

Julie Ann comes to Minnesota Women's Care with a robust background in all facets of nursing and women's health including well-women gynecology, family planning, antepartum, and postpartum care. Many women know her through her years in both the Allina and HealthEast systems as well as her work as an instructor and professor.

Read more about Julie Ann here.

Rachel Gates
Certified Nurse Midwife

Rachel completed her first degree in Spanish studies and biology. She quickly returned to school and completed her Master's in nursing and earned her certification in nurse-midwifery. During her educational journey, she gained a ton of experience in many different aspects of women's healthcare.

Read more about Rachel here.


Having a baby is one of the most joyous and exciting times of your life. We believe that every woman deserves an extraordinary, distinctive pregnancy experience. That is why we created our Uniquely Catered Pregnancy Program – just for you.

Our warm and inviting atmosphere might be exactly what you want. Click to read more about our individualized pregnancy care...