Meet the Midwife
Leigh and Eric with their two girls
My name is Leigh Fransen and I am a South Carolina licensed midwife. I grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina and studied midwifery under Shari Daniels at the International School of Midwifery in Miami, Florida.
I am married to Eric Fransen. We have two little girls, one born naturally in a hospital with the help of two doulas, the second born in the water at a birth center with midwives. My family and I relocated to Fort Mill, South Carolina (just south of the NC border) in 2008.
As a midwife, I believe strongly in women educating themselves, making their own decisions, and taking charge of their health.
Erika with one of her daughters
My apprentice is Erika Gebhardt. Erika is an experienced doula with four children of her own. Erika sums up her philosophy like this: “I believe that birth is normal and safe. I believe that women have choices in childbirth, and that awareness and education are powerful tools. I also support the role of medical care in childbirth, when it is necessary. Finally, I have faith in a mother’s intuition.”
Her website is www.doulacharlotte.com.
I also work with Christina Gabbard, www.carolinamidwife.com.
I am currently working with other area midwives to bring the Charlotte area its only midwife-run birth center. Please visit Carolinabirth.org and sign up for our updates.