About us

Mother-daughter duo, Licensed Midwife Paula Schnebelt & Doula/Student Midwife Michelle Ochoa are a team  empowering and guiding women in Napa, Sonoma, Solano and Marin throughout all stages of life; prenatal, birth, postpartum & beyond.

Paula and her team of midwives are passionate about aiding women and families in birthing naturally in their home, on their terms.

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Paula's experience is often called upon by midwives in the area as she is looked at as a mentor by many. Recognizing her love for midwifery and teaching, Paula frequently brings on apprentice midwife students to be a part of her birth team. Paula attends every prenatal and postpartum visit, attends every birth and is a fountain of birth resources. 

Paula has been midwife in Napa, Sonoma, Solano and Marin to over 1,200 births including VBAC, etc. 

She feels that it is her calling to be an advocate for women and the normalcy of birth. She truly loves embarking on every birth journey!

In addition to monitoring your medical needs Paula and her team will support you during the challenges, celebrate the joys and help you navigate the emotional and physical changes. We are privileged to live in a time where we have the option to have a home birth or a hospital birth--whatever the mom and her body decides. Fortunately, Paula Schnebelt, LM is experienced in both.

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Meet Paula Schnebelt, LM

Paula is passionate about protecting the birth process.  Her desire is that everyone will feel great about their birth experience.  She remains current in evidence-based practices and works hard to protect and support each couple's desires and personal plans for the birth of their baby.  She recognizes that no two mothers or babies are the same, and guards each experience as the unique event it is.

Paula is a mother of five daughters, three of which were born at home.  Paula has been attending births for over twenty years and is a California Licensed Midwife and a Certified Professional Midwife.  She remains current in BLS CPR and Neonatal Resuscitation. Paula loves guiding women on their path toward motherhood and would be honored to share in your birth journey. 

 She is a member of the Midwives Alliance of North America (MANA) as well as the California Association of Licensed Midwives (CALM) and actively attends workshops and conferences to further her knowledge in all areas related to women’s health

Meet Michelle Ochoa

As the oldest daughter of Paula Schnebelt, Michelle has spent most her life listening and watching her mother support mamas and their families in experiencing the joys of homebirth. 

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Through tears, and struggling to hold a 2-year-old while taking pictures, Michelle’s first home birth attendance was that of her youngest sister. Since then she has attended many home births, is a practicing doula, and is currently in the process of becoming a licensed midwife. 

Michelle takes great joy in her work and feels so fortunate to have the opportunity to work and learn with her mother on a daily basis. She greatly enjoys following mamas from prenatal appointments through to their postpartum journey. She finds the work inspiring.

Michelle & Paula integrate much care and love into their practice taking great pride in their ability to give clients as much time and individualized attention as they need.