Shannon Sutherland

I knew from an early age that I wanted to help women bring their babies into the world, but I did not move directly into midwifery. I first graduated with a Bachelor of Nursing in 2003 and worked as a labour and delivery nurse in Calgary. I then embarked on a travelling adventure for a few years. This time away from women and babies created a longing to return to maternity. While I loved being part of one of the most exciting, rewarding and intimate moments that a family can experience, I struggled with the brevity of these connections. I came to understand that serving mothers and their families to the best of my ability required establishing a relationship before their labour. With this realization, I enrolled in a Master of Midwifery program in Melbourne, Australia. Upon completion, in 2009 I returned to my hometown, Calgary, and began practicing midwifery full time. My reward is the joy I experience, the moment a woman truly realizes her strength.