Our Story
Acorn Community Birth and Wellness Center was conceived, gestated, and born out of a community's love for natural birth and a birthing person's right to choose their own birth story! It was serendipity that Karen and Cristi met and found in their partnership a common vision to empower birthing families and offer them a safe place to find respectful, affordable, evidenced-based care. Aided by a tribe of families, birth workers, and community members who believe in the power of natural birth, Acorn Birth Center came into being in just 4 short months, and we celebrated our first baby born at the center on Christmas Eve of 2016.
We welcome your family into our family!
Meet the Midwives
Cristi Lewis, Director/Licensed Midwife
Cristi is a Licensed Midwife and Certified Classical Homeopath who has been professionally practicing holistic therapies and hands-on healthcare for more than 20 years. She received her homeopathy certification in 2003 from the Homeopathy School International in Boulder, Colorado, and holds a B.S. in Biology from Northern Arizona University. She went on to graduate in 2014 from Maternidad La Luz, a bilingual birth center and midwifery school in El Paso, TX. She is a NARM-approved Preceptor to mentor student midwives, and she is an Approved Preceptor for the National College of Midwifery, the Midwives College of Utah, National Midwifery Institute, and Mercy in Action. In 2020 she became an international midwife by earning her Certificado de Competencia en Parteria, becoming a Certified Midwife in Mexico.
After birthing her two children at home surrounded by her midwives, family, and community, Cristi realized that the process of becoming a mother was one of the most sacred and transformational experiences a person can experience in this lifetime. As a midwife, she strives to support this transformation for her families in a healthy and empowered way. Cristi's love of the natural world and a recognition of the Divine in all beings has shaped her philosophy in caring for people on all levels. She specializes in women's and children's holistic health care, and can provide services in both English and Spanish. It is extremely important to Cristi that her midwifery practice strives to end the socioeconomic and cultural barriers to quality, affordable, respectful reproductive health care for all birthing families.
After birthing her two children at home surrounded by her midwives, family, and community, Cristi realized that the process of becoming a mother was one of the most sacred and transformational experiences a person can experience in this lifetime. As a midwife, she strives to support this transformation for her families in a healthy and empowered way. Cristi's love of the natural world and a recognition of the Divine in all beings has shaped her philosophy in caring for people on all levels. She specializes in women's and children's holistic health care, and can provide services in both English and Spanish. It is extremely important to Cristi that her midwifery practice strives to end the socioeconomic and cultural barriers to quality, affordable, respectful reproductive health care for all birthing families.
Sedona Lercara, Licensed Midwife
Sedona is an ardent and dedicated student of midwifery, focused on individualized care and connection. She received her degree in biological physics from the University of San Diego with the intention of going to medical school, especially drawn to pediatrics. A shadowing experience illuminated how little time doctors were able to spend with their patients and altered her interest in allopathic medicine. After being introduced to the midwifery model of care by her chiropractor, she took her first step into the birth world and became a doula.
Getting certified opened her eyes to the magic that new life brings to those who welcome it while becoming disheartened and burned out by the protocol-based care found in hospitals. Knowing there had to be a more honoring way to tend to the growing families, she dove into midwifery at the Nizhoni Institute of Midwifery and was enthralled with the holistic care that supports the expanding family unit and their unique needs as they arise.
Getting certified opened her eyes to the magic that new life brings to those who welcome it while becoming disheartened and burned out by the protocol-based care found in hospitals. Knowing there had to be a more honoring way to tend to the growing families, she dove into midwifery at the Nizhoni Institute of Midwifery and was enthralled with the holistic care that supports the expanding family unit and their unique needs as they arise.
Jaemi Lehmann, Office Manager
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” -Helen Keller
I feel great joy in “making someone’s day”; and finding a way to make someone’s day while also helping the community has always been the dream. Since my beginnings in retail customer service, I’ve been successful at getting my foot in the door of many different types of service professions, which finally led me to the wonderful world of social work. Along with my ‘once-upon-a-time’ college education in psychology, lifelong volunteer work, fervent interest in social justice, working with children and neurodiverse adults, and diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI) training/ practices, my journey has created little opportunities to tap into many other realms of understanding people; the importance of being someone others can trust and building a better collective together. Eventually, I co-founded and built a DEI program that has now been adopted by an international social organization with more than 30,000 members worldwide.
I first came to Acorn Birth Center as a client! My first baby was born at Acorn in August 2023, in the most incredibly beautiful and fulfilling way that I ever could have hoped for. (Fun fact: I’ve been lovingly told that I hold the Center’s record for longest labor. Call me cheesy, but I’m quite proud of that!) All jokes aside, from the moment I first walked through the door, I have found such peace and serenity at Acorn. I’m profoundly grateful to my birth team for their warmth, love & dedicated care of myself, my baby & my family who attended my birth. Now, I find myself even further blessed and honored to be the Office Manager here, and call my birth team my coworkers! It means the world to me having the opportunity to help my community in a whole new way.
I've known my wife, Rose, since high school and married her in 2014. In my free time, I love creating art & crafts, performing with the award-winning San Diego Chorus, being in nature (especially camping), spending time with friends & family, playing tabletop role-playing games, walking our dogs, and learning how to be a mom to my baby, Caiden.
I feel great joy in “making someone’s day”; and finding a way to make someone’s day while also helping the community has always been the dream. Since my beginnings in retail customer service, I’ve been successful at getting my foot in the door of many different types of service professions, which finally led me to the wonderful world of social work. Along with my ‘once-upon-a-time’ college education in psychology, lifelong volunteer work, fervent interest in social justice, working with children and neurodiverse adults, and diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI) training/ practices, my journey has created little opportunities to tap into many other realms of understanding people; the importance of being someone others can trust and building a better collective together. Eventually, I co-founded and built a DEI program that has now been adopted by an international social organization with more than 30,000 members worldwide.
I first came to Acorn Birth Center as a client! My first baby was born at Acorn in August 2023, in the most incredibly beautiful and fulfilling way that I ever could have hoped for. (Fun fact: I’ve been lovingly told that I hold the Center’s record for longest labor. Call me cheesy, but I’m quite proud of that!) All jokes aside, from the moment I first walked through the door, I have found such peace and serenity at Acorn. I’m profoundly grateful to my birth team for their warmth, love & dedicated care of myself, my baby & my family who attended my birth. Now, I find myself even further blessed and honored to be the Office Manager here, and call my birth team my coworkers! It means the world to me having the opportunity to help my community in a whole new way.
I've known my wife, Rose, since high school and married her in 2014. In my free time, I love creating art & crafts, performing with the award-winning San Diego Chorus, being in nature (especially camping), spending time with friends & family, playing tabletop role-playing games, walking our dogs, and learning how to be a mom to my baby, Caiden.
Yosselin Joaquin, Billing Manager
Hi, my name is Yosselin. I am blessed to be a wife and a mother of both a daughter and a son. First, I would like to thank God for finding an opportunity at Acorn Community Birth & Wellness Center. I believe that as women we have a great privilege that makes us worth more than precious stones; the great gift of being able to give birth.
As a woman of faith I love seeing the miracle of how everything from the mother’s womb is wonderfully made by God.
I am a caring, empathetic and dedicated person. I take my job as the word says, “In all the work you are doing, do it heartily as if unto the Lord.” I see my job as a way of helping others with the talents that God has given me. I am happy to serve all the moms in this center.
As a woman of faith I love seeing the miracle of how everything from the mother’s womb is wonderfully made by God.
I am a caring, empathetic and dedicated person. I take my job as the word says, “In all the work you are doing, do it heartily as if unto the Lord.” I see my job as a way of helping others with the talents that God has given me. I am happy to serve all the moms in this center.
Nicole Moemai, Intern Midwife
Hi, I'm Nicole. I believe in providing the best possible care to each and every pregnant person—with respect, dignity, and kindness. I believe in the power of individuals and their families to make informed decisions about their own health and well-being, and I strive to provide evidence-based guidance and education that will help them make the best decisions for themselves and their babies, while maintaining autonomy of clients throughout their birthing journey. I also believe in the importance of building relationships and providing continuous support. I strive to take into account the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of mothers, infants, and families, as well as the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment throughout the birthing experience. I am dedicated to helping all birthing persons to have a positive and empowering experience.
I have been married for 18 years to my high school sweetheart and we have 8 children. When I am not at the birth center, a birth, or studying you can find me hangin' with my kids, hiking, or playing at the beach. I am honored to be a part of your birth story and I am so excited to be a part of the team here at Acorn!
I have been married for 18 years to my high school sweetheart and we have 8 children. When I am not at the birth center, a birth, or studying you can find me hangin' with my kids, hiking, or playing at the beach. I am honored to be a part of your birth story and I am so excited to be a part of the team here at Acorn!
Hannah Beyer, Intern Midwife
As Jack Johnson said, “New life makes losing life easier to understand''. To know great joy is to know great sorrow.
My upbringing was guided by teachers, church leaders, cross country and track coaches but.. most importantly.. a semper-fi’ing chiropractor patriarch and a home-birthing, fast driving-loving tucsonan mother who raised 6 children. Our home was an ordered home and was filled with warmth, scripture/ prayer and painfully nutritious meals.
I am close to my parents and siblings and miss them all the time! Family is everything.
Fast forward to April 2020 when the world is falling apart: The mayor of Chicago makes a stay-at-home order and I am hurdling into an identity crisis while scraping my way out of the work hard/play harder lifestyle. I decided to leave the city and my salon career and, by the grace of God, I was able to enroll into a MEAC accredited Midwifery college, Mercy In Action College of Midwifery. The end was just the beginning- While being buried in textbooks the past two years, I was nourishing and coming home to my womb; slowing down, being curious about my period pain, breaking vegetarian/veganism, and learning body literacy. I also worked for my father as a doctor’s assistant- honing my bedside manners as a medical professional.
I believe that each individual has a unique identity and unique purpose… yet, we are all walking around with belly buttons! Birth truly touches each and every single one of us. My hopes are to become a competent and a compassionate midwife. I feel a calling for Maternal as well as Paternal wellness and am stoked and honored to be serving individuals and families of the southern California area during my preceptorship at Acorn.
In my free time I love listening to music/ singing off tune, watching movies, and hiking with my wife, Gracie.
My upbringing was guided by teachers, church leaders, cross country and track coaches but.. most importantly.. a semper-fi’ing chiropractor patriarch and a home-birthing, fast driving-loving tucsonan mother who raised 6 children. Our home was an ordered home and was filled with warmth, scripture/ prayer and painfully nutritious meals.
I am close to my parents and siblings and miss them all the time! Family is everything.
Fast forward to April 2020 when the world is falling apart: The mayor of Chicago makes a stay-at-home order and I am hurdling into an identity crisis while scraping my way out of the work hard/play harder lifestyle. I decided to leave the city and my salon career and, by the grace of God, I was able to enroll into a MEAC accredited Midwifery college, Mercy In Action College of Midwifery. The end was just the beginning- While being buried in textbooks the past two years, I was nourishing and coming home to my womb; slowing down, being curious about my period pain, breaking vegetarian/veganism, and learning body literacy. I also worked for my father as a doctor’s assistant- honing my bedside manners as a medical professional.
I believe that each individual has a unique identity and unique purpose… yet, we are all walking around with belly buttons! Birth truly touches each and every single one of us. My hopes are to become a competent and a compassionate midwife. I feel a calling for Maternal as well as Paternal wellness and am stoked and honored to be serving individuals and families of the southern California area during my preceptorship at Acorn.
In my free time I love listening to music/ singing off tune, watching movies, and hiking with my wife, Gracie.
Kyra Skylark, Apprentice Midwife - (on sabbatical June 2024)
Greetings, my name is Kyra. I am a dancer, a reader, a tree hugger, and soil lover. I pursued my bachelors education with Cal Poly Humboldt of Northern California, I hold a BS in Environmental Science and a BA in Journalism and Dance. While pursuing my degree the world shifted and many of us became isolated during the pandemic; during this time of quiet I felt a whispering towards midwifery.
In 2022 I officially began my journey into the birthworld through the Earthwise Birthworker program, an herbalism and emergency austere doula program with the Human Path School. At the recommendation of a fellow doula, I also pursued grief and bereavement doula training with the Stillbirthday program. Today, I am thankful to be a student midwife with Acorn.
I am here to listen to the stories of wombxn, to witness your fears and celebrate your joys. I am ardently dedicated to learning my own body and supporting others in investigating and tending to their womb and life cycles.
I believe in choice. That each of us has the right and power to choose how we enter this life, how and when we give birth to new life, and how we exit this embodied life. It is my intention to provide evidence based information, individualized care, and unwavering support so that each birthing person may confidently make decisions for their unique being and expanding family.
It is an honor to be walking alongside you during this sacred transformation.
In 2022 I officially began my journey into the birthworld through the Earthwise Birthworker program, an herbalism and emergency austere doula program with the Human Path School. At the recommendation of a fellow doula, I also pursued grief and bereavement doula training with the Stillbirthday program. Today, I am thankful to be a student midwife with Acorn.
I am here to listen to the stories of wombxn, to witness your fears and celebrate your joys. I am ardently dedicated to learning my own body and supporting others in investigating and tending to their womb and life cycles.
I believe in choice. That each of us has the right and power to choose how we enter this life, how and when we give birth to new life, and how we exit this embodied life. It is my intention to provide evidence based information, individualized care, and unwavering support so that each birthing person may confidently make decisions for their unique being and expanding family.
It is an honor to be walking alongside you during this sacred transformation.
Lisa Montero, Apprentice Midwife (Clinic Only)
Hello Friends! I am thrilled to be able to share with you my story of how I found myself in the beautiful space of midwifery. It was my own personal births that brought me here. As a mom of five, I was so grateful to have the opportunity to experience natural water birth for all of my births, and homebirths for three of them. I have had such wonderful experiences surrounding my pregnancies and births that I have felt called to be able to share the joy of the natural birthing experience with other families.
My background is diverse as I pursued a variety of passions when I was younger. I earned my BS in Psychology from Portland State University intending to pursue medical school, but Western medicine was never the right fit for me. I studied Traditional Chinese Medicine and massage therapy at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. Then in 2012, I joined the Army as a medic.
I had my second child while having to advocate for my right to be able to have a homebirth. I had to fight against my unit leadership and hospital personnel for my medical coverage during that entire pregnancy until even after my baby was born. It was only after she was born, and possibly because my leadership heard that I wrote a letter to Congress, that I was able to be reimbursed for the cost of a midwife. That fight ignited a passionate fire to be able to support other Service Member families with the desire to have the birth of their choice.
Not only did I fall more in love with pregnancy and childbirth by having my own babies, but I also discovered more about myself as a woman and a human each time. I grew stronger and more independent with each birthing experience, and I strive to foster the same strength and independence in all birthing people. I look forward to meeting and getting to know you as you travel on this beautiful path of midwifery along with me.
My background is diverse as I pursued a variety of passions when I was younger. I earned my BS in Psychology from Portland State University intending to pursue medical school, but Western medicine was never the right fit for me. I studied Traditional Chinese Medicine and massage therapy at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. Then in 2012, I joined the Army as a medic.
I had my second child while having to advocate for my right to be able to have a homebirth. I had to fight against my unit leadership and hospital personnel for my medical coverage during that entire pregnancy until even after my baby was born. It was only after she was born, and possibly because my leadership heard that I wrote a letter to Congress, that I was able to be reimbursed for the cost of a midwife. That fight ignited a passionate fire to be able to support other Service Member families with the desire to have the birth of their choice.
Not only did I fall more in love with pregnancy and childbirth by having my own babies, but I also discovered more about myself as a woman and a human each time. I grew stronger and more independent with each birthing experience, and I strive to foster the same strength and independence in all birthing people. I look forward to meeting and getting to know you as you travel on this beautiful path of midwifery along with me.
Sally Wright, Birth Assistant
Hi, I’m Sally. My journey into birth-work began with the pregnancy of my first child as I was encouraged by a family member to become educated about childbirth and routine hospital practices. Three hospital births and three homebirths later, I was blown away by how much better I was cared for by my midwives in contrast to the OB model of care. I desire to give all moms the same care and education that my midwives gave to me. I strive to help mothers make informed decisions about their own births and to have confidence in their own bodies and the pregnancy and childbirth process. I encourage each family to make evidence-based decisions for themselves so that they can feel the strength that comes from autonomy and accountability. I believe that caring for and educating a mother doesn’t just help her have an empowering birth experience, but affects the way she will mother her child, and therefore can change the world, one mother and baby at a time. I feel called to help families approach childbirth as a positive, fun, exciting and happy experience.
I have been assisting a local midwife in her homebirth practice for three years and I’m grateful for the privilege I have to continue learning with the knowledgeable, fun and committed women at Acorn.
I have been married to Stephen for 29 years and we have six children. We find purpose and peace in our faith and our family. I enjoy exercise, journaling, nourishing food, and striving to live an abundant life.
I have been assisting a local midwife in her homebirth practice for three years and I’m grateful for the privilege I have to continue learning with the knowledgeable, fun and committed women at Acorn.
I have been married to Stephen for 29 years and we have six children. We find purpose and peace in our faith and our family. I enjoy exercise, journaling, nourishing food, and striving to live an abundant life.