Lenny Sue Tinseth LM, CPM
My Journey to home birth began in my Family Life class at Humboldt State University in 1978. In that class, a home birth midwife came to speak on bonding. One year later, I had my first son at home with the same midwife.
I gave birth to all 5 of my children at home spanning the 70’s 80’s and 90’s. While helping other women give birth at home, I studied under Lisa Gladden RN for 6 years(1986-1991), in a grassroots spirit lead practice.
I continued practicing in the Lake Tahoe and Carson Valley areas becoming a Licensed Midwife in 1997. I have surrounded my practice with several experienced and loving Doulas, Childbirth Instructors, Midwife Assistant’s and amazing students.
They are an invaluable part of my practice and are here to serve birthing mothers and their families. With their attentive and caring support we are a team; here to help make the arrival of a new baby as safe, beautiful and intimate as your family planned.
My Husband Scott married since 1977 is a huge part of our Team. Without my husbands support, I could not make the 2 a.m. births in January, during a blizzard, up a mountain pass to Lake Tahoe.
Without him, the steps to the office would not be shoveled or an early morning fire started. He relays messages and calms mother’s nerves who call in labor. He loads my equipment FAST and is a steadfast encourager.
Curriculum Vitae
2020
Bridge Certificate
Advanced Midwifery Skill Training Focused
On Rural Environments and Disaster Relief
The North American Registry of Midwives
US Department of Education
And US MERA
2018
Midwives Crossing Boarders
Building a Homebirth Practice
Speaker Athens, Greece Oct. 2018
2017
IV Skills Instructor
Midwives Alliance of North America
Long Beach, CA
First Aid For Moms Course
Nurturing Nest Reno, NV
2016 to Present
California Association of Licensed Midwives Member
2015 to Present
Certified Health Coach
Dr. Sears Wellness Institute
LEAN Start, LEAN Expectations and Prime Time Health
2015
Intern Mackenzie Hagstrom
Dominican University of California
National Midwifery Institute
Student Carrie Sparravohn, LM
2014
National Midwifery Institute
Student Celeste Prisock
Midwives College of Utah
Student Rachel Maxim
2013
First Aid For Moms Course
Lake Tahoe Community College
2012 to 2015
National Midwifery Institute
Student Ashley Sohler
2011
First Aid For Moms Course
Above Rubies Women’s Retreat
Lake Tahoe
2011 to Present
Sierra Birth Network Professional Member
2010-2011
Pregnant Teens Program
Tallac Continuation High School
El Dorado County Health Department
Lake Tahoe, CA
2009
Completed Intravenous Therapy for Midwives
MANA Conference, Asilomar, CA
Instructor Shari Collom, LM,RN
2009
Shaken Baby Syndrome Task Force
Alpine County Family Support and Child Abuse Prevention Council
2009 to 2010
National Midwifery Institute
Student Rachael Wenban
2008 to Present
Instruct Yearly Perishable Skills Workshops
IVs, Breech, Shoulder Dystocia, NRP
2008-2009
Ancient Art Midwifery Institute
Student Savannah Hayes
2007 to Present
Lactation Specialist Program
Lactation Specialist
2006 to 2008
National College of Midwifery and
National Midwifery Institute
Student Julie Ramsey Martinez
2005 to Present
Preceptor for Seattle Midwifery School,
National Midwifery Institute and
National Collage of Midwifery
2005
Intern Shauna Garrett
University of Nevada, Reno
2000 to Present
Midwives Alliance of North America Member
2000 to Present
Certified Professional Midwife
Serving in California’s Alpine and El Dorado Counties
and No. Nevada
1997 to Present
Licensed California Midwife
California Association of Midwives Member
Serving the above areas
45 births per year
1997
IV Certification
Instructor Lisa Gladden RN, LDEM,CPM
Lake Tahoe, CA
1996
Midwifery Internship with Vickie Cain LM
Markleeville, Alpine County, California
1992 to 2012
Science and Health Instructor
Carson Valley Christian Home Schoolers
And
FAITH Home Schoolers
1992 to 2012
Home Education Parent
1987 to 1992
Midwifery Apprenticeship with Lisa Gladden RN, LDEM, CPM
So. Lake Tahoe, El Dorado County, California
1985-1990
La Leche League Leader
South Lake Tahoe and Markleeville, California
Gardnerville, Nevada
1979 to 1995
Home Births of my 5 children
McKinleyville, Eureka, So. Lake Tahoe and Markleeville California
1977-1979
BA Degree in Family and Consumer Science from Humboldt State University
Arcata, California
1977
Sacramento City College
Sacramento California
1975-1976
Consumes College Associate of Arts Degree
Sacramento, California
1974
Graduated CK McClatchy High School Sacramento, California
My Philosophy of Childbirth
Natural, non-interventive, childbirth is a right of passage for every birthing mother. She should have the availability to obtain this in a non-threatening environment surrounded by unrestricted access to loving support people every time she gives birth. As a midwife and a birthing mother I have a passion for women and their babies to provide such a fulfilling and safe environment.
A woman has the right to, and deserves, accurate statistical information about birth care practices. Described to her with cultural sensitivity has to prevent misunderstandings. To further avoid misunderstanding and enhance continuity of care, collaboration with all practitioners and services needs to be available and friendly. Unfortunately this is not always the case in our health care system today, which can lead to adverse effects for mother and baby.
There are many routine obstetrical practices that are performed on mothers and babies that are not necessarily based on scientific evidence (1). Some examples are routine episiotomies and continuous electric fetal heart monitoring. Women need to educate themselves on such procedures and free their minds of the fears that have been impressed on them.
Having her support system; including her health care provider, to provide her with non analgesic, anesthetic drugs is critical. A birthing mother needs to be in an environment that does not promote the use of drugs and offers other pain relief measures such as the use of water and unrestricted movement while in labor (The Evidence Basis for the Ten Steps of Mother-Friendly Care- Journal of Perinatal education, Vol. 16, supplement 1, winter 2007).
I encourage all mothers and families to touch, hold, talk to and bond immediately after birth. Breastfeeding is so important for maternal and infant wellbeing that I will utilize all our community resources and continued support until we have achieved a healthy peaceful breastfeeding relationship.
I also strive to educate families on the myths and fallacies of nonreligious circumcision of the newborn by sharing statistical information and risks vs. benefits. For instance, assuming a 2% complication rate, circumcising 1,000 male infants would prevent 9 cases of infant urinary tract infection, but would cause complications in 20 babies. (The Evidence Basis for the Ten steps of Mother-Friendly Care - Journal of Perinatal Education, Vol. 16, Supplement 1, Winter 2007)
Believing we have a purposeful design, I am certain our bodies were made to bring forth children without cutting or harmful medications. From the beginning of mankind to today, “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun” Ecclesiastes 1:9. Humans from all nations and times have, with knowledgeable women to assist them have given birth safely. We have lost so much in America because to the creation of institutionalize medical delivery’s. With the simultaneous abolishment of knowledgeable skilled midwives, we have had to relearn so much of what was lost at the expense of maternal and infant health. (WHO infant mortality rates)
With that, my hope is that each woman; with proper support from her family, community and care givers can give birth naturally in the proper time. Sometimes that may be a labor longer than 24 hours (sometimes minutes!) or a birth takes place two weeks after an Estimated Due Date. Those babies that lye in the womb a little different (ie posterior) may need more time to move down and around to come out. I use relief measures that do no harm to mother or baby to help endure these slow entries into the world. God promises “He will never leave us or forsake us” Deut.31:6 and He says,” Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest” Matthew 11:28.
Enduring and feeling labor and birth for a woman and her baby are so important for bonding, breastfeeding, female health, mental health and respiratory strength and immunities for the baby. The experience is more valuable then we know or can describe.
Interventions beginning with mothers restrained on their backs, to in our country, women no longer being the primary caregivers for pregnant women, have interfered with Gods plan for mothers, baby, family and society.
I believe it is each woman’s responsibility and mine to keep the original divine plan in her birth.
I believe God has called me to assist women in searching for and planning for that goal and with support and protection, achieving it. I see myself as a watchman, a lifeguard, as a guide for each individual woman and her unique birth. I am here to help you know when birth becomes a medical condition, what to do in that case and make a plan. I am here to help you decode the unknown to the best of my knowledge and experience. I ask for Gods guidance and equipping. I believe your experience is yours, given to you for a purpose.
If this is the first step you have taken toward taking charge of your health care and your family’s, welcome to the journey. I am excited to get to know you and help you along in this enlightening worthwhile effort.
1. Two-Thirds of OB-GYN Clinical Guidelines Have No Basis in Science, Obstetrics & Gynecology, August 2011
