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.
Misti McFarlane, RM (until fall 2025)
Midwifery is my second career, but babies and birth were my first love growing up. My favourite toy was my “Dr. Barbie” doll that came with a tiny baby and a stethoscope, and I’ve always been interested in the physiology of birth. My first degree however was in social work and I worked in addictions and mental health where I had the privilege of working with a wide ranging adult population in the inner city of Edmonton, including new parents learning to navigate the complexities of their mental health, often difficult socioeconomic circumstances, and new parenthood. I gained an understanding of how institutionalized healthcare can harm the very same populations it is meant to serve and feel strongly about continuing to learn and be an advocate for the centering of each individual in their healthcare journey.
I decided to become a midwife following the delivery of my second baby, whom I had with a midwife. I loved the more holistic midwifery model of care which blended evidence based healthcare with the individual needs and wants of the client. I loved the emphasis on relationship building and how the act of building trust empowered the person receiving care to not only participate in their healthcare choices, but take back their autonomy in a healthcare setting. I graduated from the Mount Royal University Midwifery Program in May 2021 and have loved working with growing families in Edmonton and the surrounding area ever since. I am a strong believer in choice, I believe all families are valid, and I believe in body autonomy and providing safe and equitable healthcare to anyone who needs it.
Misti will be leaving our practice in the fall of 2025, and will be able to be found at Edmonton Community Midwives.
Marie Tutt, RM, (on a leave of absence)
While traveling in the 1980's locally and abroad and being involved in nongovernmental organizations and development projects, I was witness to the state of women's healthcare in different areas of the world and was inspired to be involved in women's health and wellness at home in my own community. I was drawn to the philosophy of midwifery and the focus on the health and wellness during the perinatal period. In the mid 1980's, midwifery was not a regulated profession in Alberta although much work had begun across Canada to regulate and implement midwifery. Many midwives were trained through apprenticeship programs and this is where I started my educational journey. In Edmonton the local midwives required a nursing background prior to being accepted into the midwifery practice, so I started my educational by first becoming a Registered Nurse. Once my nursing program was completed I was then able to focus my attention on my midwifery apprenticeship program and caring for my own, new family. Over the years I have blended midwifery and nursing and have gained so much from working in both capacities. I also love to teach and have continued to instruct a variety of courses that focus on maternity care and emergency care during labor and birth. What I love most about being a midwife are the relationships I develop with the families who I provide care for. This journey through pregnancy, birth and the postpartum is significant and I enjoy supporting and providing care though this major life transition.
I am currently on a Leave of Absence from active midwifery practice so I am able to make more time to spend with my own family and grandchildren.
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.