Heather LeMaster is a Licensed Midwife and Certified Professional Midwife. She has received special training in Birth Emergency Skills Training for Out-of-Hospital Providers (B.E.S.T.) and Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics (ALSO).  She is also a Spinning Babies^® Aware Practitioner (SpBAP).

She began her birthwork in supporting pregnant families as a DONA certified doula in 2003. She also provided postpartum doula services. She worked closely with families, listening to their choices, providing information and community resources unique to their postpartum period. She provided emotional support, physical comfort and open communication to ensure that each family could make informed decisions during labor. Her goal was assisting all families to have a smooth transition into parenthood.

Heather began her Midwifery education in a hands-on apprenticeship in 2006, joined Nizhoni Institute of Midwifery in San Diego in 2007. After graduating in 2010, she continued to build her experience working part-time at a local birth center until her own practice was well established. She later joined her mother Gerri Ryan, LM, to form the San Diego County Midwives practice.

She developed and administered the clinical Skills & Drills^© program for students at Nizhoni Institute of Midwifery from 2011 – 2017. While serving as Clinical Education Leader, she created opportunities for student midwives to obtain their clinical experience on a monthly basis. This crucial component of midwifery education enabled student midwives to develop and perfect the skills necessary to work with midwives in their communities. These skills were then enhanced throughout their educational process. She spent approximately 3000 hours with over 50 students. She continues to be an approved Preceptor with NARM and MEAC.

Heather adheres to the Black Midwives Care Model, which respects racial identity and incorporates cultural elements with the goal of better serving the birthing community.