Meet the Midwives
Rebecca Schleuger-Valadao, CNM
My interest in midwifery began when I was pregnant with my first daughter in 2004 and has grown into a passion and career in empowering and serving mothers and families. I began my midwifery career 10 years ago working in a birth center and home birth practice in Iowa, soon after adding in access for attending birth at a community hospital, then transitioning to partner in creating a booming midwifery care clinic at the community hospital. During the pandemic I left the hospital practice and began my own home birth practice in Iowa, and in January of 2024, I began a transition to Kansas to work at New Birth Company Birth Center.
In these past 10 years, I have had the honor to support and hold space for 500+ mothers and families. I believe in mother led childbirth, shared decision making, and evidence based midwifery practice. I have extensive experience in educating, supporting and managing normal physiologic birth and water birth in the out of hospital setting.
I currently live in Overland Park, KS. My oldest daughter is a sophomore in college this year and my youngest daughter is starting her second year of junior high.
I am excited to begin offering midwifery and home birth services in Kansas and surrounding areas.
Veronica Mullet, CNM
I decided very early on in my life that I wanted to be a midwife. I was always fascinated with birth and pregnancy and 4 of my siblings were born at home with a midwife. I went to nursing school and worked in labor and delivery which further cemented my desire to be a midwife and be able to offer the autonomy that is often lacking in pregnancy care.
I attended Vanderbilt University and graduated in 2018. While there I had the opportunity to catch babies in a hospital setting and in an amazing birth center. I also had the privilege of attending a few homebirths. I then moved to Kansas City and worked for New Birth Company until it closed in 2024.
Opening a homebirth practice had been a growing dream for me and I’m excited to continue to offer those services and care for families as they grow.
In my free time, I love to garden, cook, spend time with my partner and daughter, and play with my puppy Miya.
Grace Gilroy, CNM
I started my career after graduating from the University of Central Missouri with my Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing in 2017. I then moved to Kansas City & worked as an oncology nurse before entering the labor & birth space. Since 2018, I have worked in both hospital & out-of-hospital birth settings. I graduated with my Master's in Midwifery in 2021 & have been serving in out-of-hospital birth for the last 2.5yrs. I am also a certified yoga instructor & have received my master reiki certification.
I knew from a young age that midwifery was my calling in this life. I have a passion for holistic well-woman care & the art of midwifery. Being “with women” throughout the lifespan is both a privilege & an honor. My goal is helping women live their most optimal & pleasure-filled existence. I love looking at a client’s health through a comprehensive lens & seeing all the facets that could be contributing to overall health. When I am not serving women in the wellness or birth space she enjoys traveling, resting, lying in the sun, & spending time with friends & family.
Amber “Nikki” Watts, CNM
I was born and raised in KC area and have been an RN for 17 years. My passion is empowering families to make healthcare decisions that are right for them. I have a special place in my heart for young mothers, as I gave birth to my first child when I was 18 years old. I have a double
bachelors in Psychology and Nursing (NWMSU '05), and a Masters in
Nursing with emphasis in Midwifery (FNU '24). I have spent most of my nursing career in the care of birthing folks and their families, and
am passionate about out of hospital birth.
I have been with my rock, Ben, for 24 years and we have two human children: Gabby and Eli. I enjoy quiet times, learning new hobbies, and taking our dogs on long walks.