Hidden Gems: Meet Desiree Blake of Beautiful Beginnings & Beyond Midwifery

Today we’d like to introduce you to Desiree Blake. Them and their team share their story with us below:

Desiree Blake was raised in Bedford, Ohio. She attended and graduated from Case Western Reserve University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing in 2010. Post-graduation she worked as a Labor and Delivery Nurse at University Hospital from 2010 – 2015. During her time as an L&D nurse she had the pleasure of being introduced to the world of Midwifery. This inspired her to further her education in women’s health. In 2015, Desiree graduated again from Case Western Reserve University with a Master’s Degree in Nursing; with a dual certification in Midwifery and Women’s Health. She is Board Certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board and National Certification Corporation. 

After 5 years of Midwifery practice inside the hospital setting, Desiree decided to revisit an old dream of starting her very own Midwifery Clinic. July of 2020, Desiree founded/ established her Clinic – Beautiful Beginnings & Beyond Midwifery LLC. Desiree’s mission to provide women with better access to relationship and evidence-based care. She believes the health care system currently has gotten away from treating women as individuals and instead is very cookie-cutter and this is affecting women negatively. With the rising of the maternal and infant mortality rates in Northeast OH, Desiree believes a large part of the responsibility falls on the health care system and the way patients are being treated or the failure of the system to take time to get to know the patient and develop an individualized care plan that suits their needs. 

Desiree takes time with her patients; she offers personalized care. Provides extended visits for every appointment so that patients do not feel rushed, and they have an opportunity to get all of their questions answered. She finds joy in getting to know the women she is caring for and becoming an extension of their family. 

Desiree offers full gynecologic services including annual exams, STI checks, and birth control initiation and management. She also offers comprehensive Prenatal care with the option to have a home birth. She is a firm believer that women should have the ability to birth freely and safely outside of the hospital if they do not have conditions that pose a risk to the safe of them or their baby. As a Certified Nurse Midwife, she believes in being the gatekeeper to protecting normal physiologic birth. The less we (provider) intervene, the better the outcome is for mom and baby. Interventions are only necessary when things have deviated from normal. 

Quote from Desiree: “97% of the time low-risk women give birth without any complications. As a nurse-midwife, I’m there for the 3% chance something goes wrong. I’m there to facilitate keeping things normal/safe & to intervene when things deviate from normal & pose a risk to mom or baby. “ 

Personally, Desiree is the mother of a very smart, and handsome little boy- CJ, and recently engage to a loving, supportive man- Charles Osby Sr. 

Desiree Blake, APRN, CNM, WHNP 

“It has been said that once a person finds their purpose in life, they will find peace. This is true for me. Caring for women brings me a sense of peace and pure joy that is indescribable. 

The term midwife translates to “with woman.” Being a midwife allows me to be “with women” during every transition of their womanhood, not just birth. From adolescence to becoming a woman, to becoming a mother and then a grandmother. Being a midwife allows me to aid women in their health care journey during each phase. Prior to having a child of my own, I valued the importance of my role as midwife, however after experiencing this transition into motherhood for myself, I have a whole new appreciation for being a midwife. Being a midwife is bigger than treating a gynecology need. It’s bigger than caring for the medical aspects of pregnancy; or attending a birth. Although these are vital pieces, being a midwife grants me the opportunity to make an impact on a woman’s life, that in turn can affect everyone that is attached to her. Women play such an essential role in the household. Women are the nurturers, the primary caregivers (or nurses of their household). As a health care provider, I find joy in providing holistic care to women that empowers them and allows them to continue to be the best mother, wife, grandmother, caregiver, etc. to their families.” 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Currently, many women who desire to birth outside of the hospital do not have the funds to cover this expense, and unfortunately, most of health insurance plans do not cover this expense. Thus, Desiree finds herself providing huge discounts to help women have the birthing experience they desire. 

Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
Evidenced-Based Practice podcast 

Contact Info:

• Email: contact@beautifulbeginningsandbeyondmidwifery.com
• Website: https://www.beautifulbeginningsandbeyondmidwifery.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbb_midwifery
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BBBMidwifery