Desiree LeFave, CPM, LDM
Practice Director
Midwife

Desiree LeFave is a wife, mother, and licensed midwife. She was inspired to become a midwife following the incredible experience of birthing her first child, Kaeli, at home, in 1995. She began attending births in 1998 and became fully credentialed in 2001 (CPM, LDM.) Since then, she has given birth to two other daughters, Maryn in 2003 and Eden in 2005, and has caught about 400 babies. Desiree worked at the Andaluz Waterbirth Center in Tualatin, Oregon from December, 1999 to October, 2004. From there, she started her own practice, Zion Midwifery Service, in Newberg in 2004. Desiree believes that God's design is perfect, and that birth works.

She is also passionate about health and nutrition and focuses her midwifery work on preventative care through good prenatal nourishment and education. In addition, she embraces the emotional aspect of birth and the relationship that mom's, dad's and babies share during this journey.

Desiree, along with Petra, decided to start Bella Vie Gentle Birth Center because of their strong desire to carry on the legacy of midwifery and gentle birth in an environment that can serve many women and their families. She feels that birth has become more about protocols, insurance, and the current malpractice climate in this country. She is outragged by the current U.S. cesarean section rate and works to avoid interventions which can lead to c-sections. Desiree is excited that so many more women are choosing births that honor their babies and themselves. More than anything, she loves being a part of that empowering and uniting path for families. She loves being a part of that empowering and uniting path for families.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her sweet husband, Kristopher, their girls, and extended family. Additionally, she likes learning more about culturing and preparing nourishing foods. The LeFave family attends church at the Solid Rock Christian Fellowship in Beaverton, and resides in Newberg. Among her other favorite things are evening walks with Kris and Breyer's natural vanilla ice cream (after the kids are in bed, of course).