Her Story: Meet Midwife Sierra Orr

Sierra Orr, a licensed midwife at Columbia Birth Center, brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to her clients. Her journey into midwifery and the unique care she provides are a testament to her dedication. We’re sharing Sierra’s story of how she became a midwife and why her job is such a special part of her life.

Sierra’s first baby was born in a hospital, and it was a very normal hospital birth: induction at 39 weeks and six days, pitocin, breaking her water to speed up labor, an epidural, hard pushing, a third-degree tear, and a two-day hospital stay after birth. 

While she describes her experience as “fine,” she knew there was something better out there. 

Sierra chose a home birth with a midwife for her second child. As soon as her baby was born (at a whopping 9 lbs 10 oz with no tearing), she recalls looking up at her midwife and exclaiming, “I’m going to be a midwife when I grow up!” 

Sierra’s passion for transformative birth experiences and family-centered care blossomed out of that moment. 

That same year, she became a certified doula and worked as a doula on and off for ten years between the births of her other children. Once her last baby was weaned, Sierra started birth assisting and midwifery school. She mainly trained in the home birth setting, and while home birth still has a piece of her heart, she appreciates working at Columbia Birth Center. She describes it as very rewarding and also sustainable for her family. 

“I’m grateful I can still be present for my girls while giving my full attention to clients.”

Sierra’s Personalized Care

Sierra's approach is deeply empathetic. She listens to her clients, understanding their goals, desires, and any obstacles they may face. While there are certain boundaries at the birth center to ensure safety, Sierra’s goal is to help clients achieve their desired experience as much as possible.

The part of her job she enjoys the most is witnessing the journey into motherhood. Whether it’s a first or fifth baby, watching someone become a mother is beautiful and almost always brings tears to her eyes. 

“I love observing the power and strength of my clients through pregnancy, birth, and those long days of being freshly postpartum.”

She Will Support Your Unique Birth Plan

Sierra respects her clients' autonomy. She tells them, “You’ll choose your care and actively participate in every decision and experience. I don’t make decisions for you. I want to give you the tools to research your options so you can choose what is right for you and your family.” 

This approach often relieves our clients, as we are typically the first providers to ask their opinions or give them a choice in their healthcare. 

Sierra can be as hands-on or hands-off as you would like her to be. As long as accreditation allows it and everyone stays safe, she will let her clients decide what they want to do during birth. She has had clients give birth in every single room, spot, and position possible. She jokes, “I’m still waiting for someone to request a handstand birth!”

Sierra Cares for the Whole Person

Sierra, like all our midwives, is committed to holistic care. She doesn’t just care about your labs and blood pressure readings; she wants to know how you feel physically, mentally, and emotionally. She's there to support you through every aspect of your pregnancy and birth journey. 

What thoughts are keeping you awake at night? How are you preparing for this new family member? What are your struggles with nutrition? Don’t be surprised if she encourages you to get pampered by massage, chiropractic care, or simply through the support of your partner, family, and friends. She wants to help you with everything she can because all these things contribute to a positive pregnancy and birth outcome. 

“I want to sit with you throughout the whole experience—the good, the bad, the exciting, and the mundane.”

Come Meet Sierra At Columbia Birth Center

Are you thinking about giving birth at a Columbia Birth Center? We invite you to call and schedule a tour. Any of our friendly staff members would be happy to discuss your birth options so you can make an informed decision that is best for you.

Our midwives are experts in normal birth and combine traditional skills with evidence-based practices. They can help you have a natural birth and may reduce your need for intervention, drugs, and cesarean birth. All the care providers at Columbia Birth Center want you to feel empowered to have the best pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum experience possible.

If you’re having a low-risk, healthy pregnancy*, midwives like Sierra have higher rates of satisfaction, lower rates of interventions, the lowest rates of birth trauma or obstetrical violence, and the highest rates of positive maternal outcomes. Should we discover you’re having a high-risk pregnancy or birth, we will refer you to high-risk providers and specialists to get the proper care, ensuring your safety and the safety of your baby.

We can’t wait to meet you and give you a tour of the center!