Patty Lenstra, RM, BScN, RN
I have been practicing midwifery in Calgary since 1991. Prior to receiving my Certificate in Nurse-Midwifery from the Foothills Hospital Nurse-Midwifery Program I was employed as a labour & delivery nurse in the Maternity Care Centre. It was in the challenge of providing women, who had been labelled "high risk", with a personal & intimate experience, that I felt myself being called to the midwifery philosophy. All women deserve to be empowered by the birth process and I believe I have been given the gifts to support them in that endeavour.
Since obtaining my basic education from the University of Alberta, and graduating with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing. I have worked as a staff nurse, a childbirth educator, a Doula, and a lactation consultant. I am certified as an instructor in Emergency Skills, CPR, Neonatal Resuscitation and Fetal Monitoring.. I was fortunate to have been chosen to participate in the Nurse-Midwifery Research Study that provided care to over 800 families and ultimately led me to become one of the first midwives in the Province of Alberta to be registered.
I have been blessed with the support of my husband, Ray, who through his love and dedication has enabled me to achieve my dream of practicing midwifery. I have three children, Brett, Carly & Sadie, who have unselfishly shared their mother with hundreds of families and I am humbly grateful.
Morning Star is the name of my primary midwifery team which is dedicated to our Creator and his miracles of life. As I make my way home after those late night births I take great comfort when I gaze up at the Morning Star and I am reminded that once again He has looked after me and the families he has called me to care for and I am forever thankful. God Bless!