Midwifery Fellow: Meet Marissa Hazelet
Marissa Hazelet is a new midwife and she recently joined Columbia Birth Center staff as a Midwifery Fellow while she completes her credentialing process.
Marissa worked as a CNA before becoming a midwife. Marissa is a certified birth & bereavement doula and baby wearing educator. She’s passionate about providing the best care to every family she meets.
Marissa graduated from Southwest Technical College with a degree in Midwifery. She has experience working in a busy birth center and a homebirth practice. She has worked in almost every role at a birth center, from administrative work to clinical practice.
Marissa’s family moved to Washington from Wisconsin at the beginning of 2025. Her partner, Brian, works as a CNA. They have two boys, Kuiper and Rowan. Kuiper was born prematurely via cesarean section after Marissa developed pre-eclampsia. Rowan was born in the water at home, a homebirth after cesarean (HBAC).
Marissa knew in her teenage years that motherhood and midwifery care was where she was meant to be. Her first birth to a premature baby is what truly started her on the journey to birth work and finding her passion for helping other families in the childbearing year.
Marissa is excited to be a part of the special community at Columbia Birth Center. She’s looking forward to meeting all of the CBC families and settling into her new life in the Tri Cities.
What is your favorite part about being a midwife?
The list is extensive, but my number one favorite part of midwifery care is providing informed consent. My sister-in-law and I always joke that I'm a walking search engine for pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and babies. I love to help answer questions and share helpful websites, books, groups, and local resources.
What are some of the benefits for families who choose Columbia Birth Center for their pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care?
At Columbia Birth Center, we're here to guide you through all of your options so you feel confident in your choices for care and are prepared to welcome your little one into this world. The postpartum support here triples what the average person receives and that is the time when families need the most support.
What are some of the qualities you possess as a midwife that help you provide personalized care for CBC families?
I am empathic & compassionate
I advocate for mothers and babies
I bring calmness to the birth space
I am an educator surrounding pregnancy and motherhood
How does your experience as a babywearing educator play a role in the postpartum care you provide to families?
Babywearing is an amazing tool in the postpartum period. I love recommending different carriers for different purposes: skin to skin in a carrier, helping to keep baby settled when dealing with older siblings, and ways to set up your carrier BEFORE getting to the grocery store.