Menu
Bridger Birthing
  • Home
  • Our Team
  • Services
    • Homebirth
      • Overview
      • Cost
    • Birth Doula Training
      • Participants' Comments
  • Testimonials & Babies
    • Our Birth Statistics
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Our Team
  • Services
    • Homebirth
      • Overview
      • Cost
    • Birth Doula Training
      • Participants' Comments
  • Testimonials & Babies
    • Our Birth Statistics
  • Contact
Picture

Marianne

Born and raised in Germany on a small family farm, I was fascinated by the miracle of birth from a very early age. When I first came to Bozeman in 1986 as an exchange student to MSU I did not anticipate that I would return in 2001, now married and raising our two little girls in the beautiful Gallatin Valley.
Picture

 Giving birth to my daughters – one in hospital and one at home -  sparked a powerful journey of self-discovery, and a life long passion to help other moms and families have the best possible pregnancy and birth experiences. I was one of the early certified birth doulas, and later became a certified childbirth educator as well as a lactation counselor.
Picture
My daughter, Karen, and I during her first trip to Germany (1995)
In 2005 none other than Penny Simkin herself, the grande dame of the doula profession, invited me to her home to initiate me and three others on our path to become Birth Doula Trainers with DONA International. 15 years later, I am now retired from this position. However, I continue to share my knowledge of the art of labor support specifically for those who wish to help mothers during natural childbirth in general, and home birth in particular.
Picture
My training with Penny Simkin (2005)

Though I love doula work, my calling to become a homebirth midwife grew stronger with each birth I attended. While raising my daughters I enrolled in and graduated from Ancient Art Midwifery Institute in 2011, making the Honor Roll in every quarter of my studies. My years as midwife apprentice to fulfill Montana licensure requirements were especially blessed because my two primary teachers were both vastly experienced midwives with decades of practice and hundreds of babies delivered. I will always be deeply grateful for their generosity in sharing their knowledge and allowing my to grow as a midwife.
 
​I am a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) which is the only national credential requiring knowledge and experience in out-of-hospital birth. Based on this gold standard of education, I am a Montana midwife specializing in homebirth. My small private practice allows me to tailor my care to your specific needs and preferences. My 20 years of attending births in hospitals, birth centers and at home have shown me that in birth there is no right or wrong way; there is only your way.
 
P.S. Oh yes, hobbies: I am a devoted gardener! My extensive perennial beds and strictly organic vegetable garden keep our family and friends in fresh produce through most of the year.

Picture

Ruth Klingensmith
Midwife Apprentice

​​I grew up in a large, lively family in Austin, Texas, where I first learned the beauty of connection and care. Ever since I was a young teenager, I’ve felt a desire to support mothers and their babies. That calling has only grown stronger over the years and has led me to pursue midwifery today.
 
I’m a mother to three beautiful children, all of whom I was blessed to welcome into the world at home. Those experiences shaped me in profound ways and gave me an even deeper respect for the strength of women and the sacredness of birth.
 
I’m so excited to share that I recently received my apprentice midwifery license and am honored to be learning under Marianne. Her wealth of knowledge and experience is truly inspiring, and I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity to grow under her.
 
I feel deeply privileged to serve the mothers and families at Bridger Birthing. I look forward to walking alongside each family during such a meaningful and transformative time in their lives.
Picture

Avery Brandstadt, CPM

​A devoted mother of four, I’ve built my life around nurturing, both in my home and within my community.

My own journey into motherhood included a beautiful home birth and ignited a passion for supporting women through pregnancy and childbirth. I cherish the opportunity to walk beside women as they prepare to welcome their babies, offering encouragement, knowledge, and a calm presence. Witnessing the miracle of life unfold — every tiny breath, every moment of transformation—continues to inspire me. Helping women trust their bodies, find confidence, and embrace the sacredness of birth is one of my greatest honors!

​I had the privilege of receiving hands-on training under Marianne, whose mentorship influenced my approach to midwifery, emphasizing safety, respect, individualized care, and trust in the natural physiology of birth.
 
After completion of my apprenticeship through NARM (North American Registry of Midwives), I am now a fully credentialed Certified Professional Midwife (CPM). I will be on call as a backup midwife for Marianne while building my own practice. I am passionate about supporting women in my surrounding community as they bring new life into the world, helping them feel informed and empowered throughout the process.


Telephone

406-570-4359

Email

[email protected]