Our Team
Jenna Chownick, RM, IBCLC
Midwifery
I knew from a very early point in my life that I wanted to become a midwife. Upon graduation from high school, I started on the path to making that wish a reality. I was born and raised in the Edmonton area, and moved to Sudbury, Ontario in 2009 to pursue my education.
I graduated with a Bachelor of Health Science in Midwifery from Laurentian University with every intention on returning to Edmonton to practice. Throughout my training, I did placements with midwives, nurses, and obstetricians in several cities in Ontario, as well as in Edmonton and Calgary. I solidified my knowledge of pregnancy, the birth process and newborn care when I became a mother myself in early 2013 to my first daughter. I also had my second baby, a boy in March 2018, another baby boy in April 2020, and my final baby, a girl in 2022. Marie was my midwife for all of my pregnancies, and she and I founded Spruce Grove Community Midwives together.
I am a strong believer in continuity of care and informed choice. I am very much looking forward to being able to provide people with the high quality of maternity care that they deserve.
In my spare time, I stick close to home with my family, tea, a good book, and crafts.
Pronouns she/her.
Lactation
In 2024, I completed my IBCLC certification, and am now an international board certified lactation consultant. I felt like there was a gap in my knowledge in breastfeeding, and had difficult breastfeeding journeys with my four children, and wanted to be better equipped to serve my midwifery clients in this field.
Caitlin Bridson-Pateman, RM
As far back as I can remember, I would tell anyone that would listen that I wanted to be “a doctor who takes babies out of mummies tummies”. I was fascinated by childbirth, and my mother would regularly find me watching “A Baby Story” on TLC or reading pregnancy books at the library. Although my passion for pregnancy and birth continued throughout my life, I realized that becoming a doctor was not something that I was interested in pursuing, but midwifery was also not something discussed or offered in my rural community.
After graduating from St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia with an Honours degree in Child Psychology, I decided to travel the world to learn more about other cultures and discover my true passions in life. It wasn’t until I was teaching English to Kindergarten students in southern Thailand that I even learned what midwifery was. Once I realized the wonderful alternative that midwifery is in the current obstetrical system, I knew that this profession was my true calling.
What drew me to midwifery initially and continues to guide me throughout my career is the ability to help birthing persons feel empowered during their pregnancy journeys through informed choice decision making and education. Using these key pillars of midwifery, I hope to provide clients with the information they need to make the choices that are best for them and their growing families.
Through my midwifery education from Mount Royal University in Calgary, I was fortunate enough to have placements in Calgary, Medicine Hat, and Edmonton. It was through these placements that I discovered my love for the city of Edmonton, and more particularly, the midwifery community here. I completed my final year of schooling under the preceptorship of Jenna, here at Spruce Grove Community Midwives and am thrilled to be back working alongside the amazing midwives of this clinic.
When I am not advocating for you and supporting you through your pregnancy journey, you can find me curled up with a good book, cooking a new recipe, playing games (video or board) with my partner, Bruce, or snuggling with our three cats; Titan, Nova and Ziggy.
I look forward to meeting and walking through this journey with you!
Tara Tilroe, RM
I'm passionate about my calling to midwifery; informed choice, respect, and compassion are the foundation of my practice. I am a mother of three young adults born at home (with a grand baby on the way!), and wife to a very accommodating husband who understands I have to drop everything when I am running out the door to a birth. My faith gives me the perspective that life is precious, that wisdom can be gained from each experience (challenging or ideal), and that everything is not always within our control. I am thrilled to be able to provide options to women as they go through their pregnancy, birth and postpartum experiences.
My initial fascination with pregnancy and childbirth began early on in my life as I read my mom's "hippy" childbirth books, in which pregnancy and birth were portrayed as normal, natural, wonderful events. I believe that birth is powerful and transformational, and should be defined as normal for low-risk women. The altering effect of pregnancy and childbirth – and the triumph of accomplishing what was felt to be impossible - is something that I believe impacts family bonding and the relationship between partners. My desire to see women treated with respect and compassion, and for parents to have truly informed choice was fulfilled through completing my midwifery studies in May of 2011.
Midwifery care is about so much more than measuring tummies and catching babies, although that is certainly a joyful part of my job! It is truly about walking alongside you as you through this transformational time. The memories of experiences in pregnancy and childbirth stay with you in a unique way. I believe it is critical to have the opportunity to explore your options, make the decisions that are right for you and your family, and to be celebrated as you face your fears, find your strength, and trust your instincts.
Taryn Barkley, RM
My interest in midwifery began in high school when my science class watched ‘The Miracle of Life’ video. While many of my classmates were unsettled, I was immediately captivated by the incredible process of pregnancy and birth. After completing a Bachelor’s degree in Biology at Wilfrid Laurier University in Ontario, I went on to earn my Bachelor of Midwifery from Mount Royal University in 2019.
Although midwifery school first brought me to Alberta, I quickly developed a deep appreciation for the people and culture, inspiring me to lay my roots here. Since graduating, I’ve had the privilege of practicing in both Edmonton and Fort McMurray, gaining a broad range of experience in diverse birth settings.
Becoming a mother myself has profoundly deepened my perspective on pregnancy and birth. Having experienced three home water births attended by midwives, I hold an even greater respect for the strength, trust, and transformation that accompany this journey.
Over the past year, I’ve been serving families as a hospitalist midwife at the Royal Alexandra Hospital. I’m now delighted to return to community practice with Spruce Grove Community Midwives, where I look forward to offering greater continuity of care and building lasting relationships with clients.
It would be an honour to support you and your family on your pregnancy journey—I look forward to meeting you!
Contact Us
Interested in working together? Please fill out the AAM application for care found here: https://clientcare.alberta-midwives.ca/waitpool/register
You may also email us with the form here to provide additional information or ask questions.