About the Team
About the Midwife:
Janet Akremi, BSM, CPM, MD
I am Janet Akremi BSM, CPM. I live and offer midwifery care in Missouri, in the midwestern United States. I have attended births here, and in other places in the world, since the 1970s when I played a part in the formation of a collective of practice-trained midwives here in Missouri. We went on to train apprentices and form our state's professional association for midwives. I am currently working toward a master's in midwifery and focusing on education once again.
I have also worked as both a nurse (RN) and then a medical doctor (MD) for several decades, catching babies all the while in homes, hospitals, and birth centers. I have practiced in several states, and in another country, I have been present at around 1500 births.
About the Apprentices:
Audrey Lein
Hi, I’m Audrey. I am a mother - I have six sons and a daughter. In my journey towards birthing each one of them, I have gained additional desire for knowledge. When we know better, we do better.
As I have researched over the years, I have realized the depth of the fact that birth has become a common source of trauma for women in America, especially BIPOC women, and I have no choice but to do something about it. I supported my first birth as a doula in 2018 and it was such a life changing experience for me; birthwork has been a passion ever since. I am a certified birth and postpartum doula, childbirth educator, and perinatal nutrition counselor. I am also a midwifery student. Holistic care for mother and baby is my ultimate goal.
Aunyai Smith
I am a new midwifery student, but have been pursuing my purpose as a birth worker since 2017. After obtaining certifications as a massage therapist and a community birth doula (Sister Doula), I am now working on a certificate as a Community Health Worker.
Being a mom of three has enhanced my journey with real life experiences. I have had preeclampsia with all of my births. I have had my voice ignored by an attending OB who kept pushing interventions over my objections. I have felt helpless to change the outcome at my birth. It has been a journey of self-discovery that has increased my will to advocate for other women of color. In 2021, at the height of the pandemic, the maternal mortality rate in the United States reached 69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births for Black women, 2.6 times the rate for White women. I am ready to raise awareness and to stand with other midwives and birth workers to change this narrative.