Rachel J. Andersen Portfolio

BIOGRAPHY

Welcome to my portfolio page. I live and work in Dukana, Kenya, a small village in Marsabit County, near the Ethiopian border. I have six kids, a wonderful daughter-in-law, and a great husband. We have lived in East Africa since 2008. I work for Africa Inland Mission International, a faith based organization. For the 2023-2024 school year, I lived in Abilene, Texas, and attended Midwives College of Utah, completing Bachelor of Science in Midwifery. I have since returned to Kenya.
I began studying birth and birth work in 2014 after I assisted in my first birth, a surprise breech. In 2019 I became a Certified Professional Midwife and was licensed in Michigan. Since then I have been helping the community in Dukana with pregnancy, birth, and postpartum related concerns in addition to other general health needs.
Along with midwifery, I am a childbirth educator and I teach people to become childbirth educators in Kenya through Elizabeth Project International and Lamaze International. Once a year I join a group of facilitators to bring Lamaze training to Kenya, teaching those interested in giving their community education about birth.
As a holistic care provider, I also practice the art of herbalism, making my own ointments, tinctures, teas, and soaps. I advocate for healthy lifestyles and eating habits and consult on nutritional concerns.

PHILOSOPHY Of BIRTH

I believe birth is a natural process and that those giving birth are the experts in their health. I also understand that birth does not always go according to plan and that many of the sad outcomes we see in low-income countries are preventable with basic medications and skilled care. I believe in health education and information so that families can make decisions about their health care for themselves.

A glimpse inside my birth bag. I carry all the supplies I need to clinic days and to home visits, including some medications, teaching materials, and baby blankets for newborns.

All photographs and written materials are the copyrighted material of Rachel J. Andersen and Childbirth Africa.

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