Hi, I’m Marlee Nelson LM, CPM, MSM
I am a licensed midwife and patient advocate in Humboldt County, CA. I have attended close to 200 births, mostly at home and in free-standing birth centers. Humboldt County is known to be a healthcare desert and it is my mission to help bridge the gaps in care that this can cause. Although I am not currently attending births, I offer many other services to help you meet your family’s needs without leaving the comfort of your home!
Love Notes
“Marlee provided one-on-one virtual childbirth education classes that fit my schedule and left me feeling more prepared for birth. Her classes were thorough and engaging. I would absolutely recommend them to anyone looking for these services!”
“Marlee was an absolute pleasure to work with, she’s incredibly kind and sensitive to all needs and concerns along with being extremely professional! Her process and handling of my placenta was beautiful from the packaging of the encapsulated pills to the lovely prints and cord. I would recommend her to anyone and everyone having a baby who is not interested in the traditional “disposing” of their placenta and wanting to reep all the benefits of encapsulation. It’s such a privilege to have her work in our community and support for postpartum mothers. I will be using her again!”
“Marlee’s work is rooted in both science and ceremony, and it shows. If you’re on the fence about encapsulation—don’t be. With Marlee, you’re not just getting capsules… you’re receiving intentional support during a life-changing transition. This is what whole-person postpartum care should look like.”
My Approach
Person-centered care is my passion and perinatal care is my primary area of interest! It is such a special, tender time and I feel honored to be able to support families in navigating it. I received my Master’s of Science in Midwifery from Bastyr University in 2022. My training focused on blending holistic and allopathic (Western medicine) modalities. I greatly respect both methods of practicing medicine and feel they can be combined to create a unique mix for each individual’s needs. We will cultivate a care plan that fits you using shared decision-making! I wrote my Master’s Thesis about bipolar disorder in community midwifery care, so I always view mental health as an important aspect of my work. My business is unique because I can be there for you from conception to childbirth education, to placenta encapsulation and lactation support. I partner with Lauren Wheeler, BCPA, MD of Lost Coast Patient Advocacy for the provision of medical advocacy services.
Inclusivity
I will not discriminate or tolerate discrimination based on sex, gender identity, sexuality, race, religion, creed, ethnicity, age, or anything else. You will note that all of the language on my website and educational materials is intentionally gender-neutral to broadly accommodate every person’s identity. In our direct communication I will refer to you however you prefer- thanks for understanding!
Land acknowledgment
Flourishing Foundations acknowledges that we practice on unceded ancestral indigenous lands. We condemn the injustices that indigenous communities have faced across the United States, including the local tribal nations of Tolowa, Hupa, Karuk, Mattole, Wailaki, Wiyot, and Yurok. If you belong to a tribal nation and/or identify as BIPOC please ask about a reparations discount.