Nicolle Napier-Ionascu Ph.D.

During nursing school, I was drawn to labor and delivery - the energy in the room during a birth was palpable - and I knew deep down it was the right place for me. I completed doula training to be a volunteer doula while I finished nursing school and as a new nurse, was able to get a job as a labor and delivery nurse. While I loved being a bedside nurse, I felt a pull to find an opportunity to know the rest of my patients' stories. \n Midwifery allowed me to provide continuity of care for families in addition to being invited to witness the excitement of birth. Midwifery education is rooted in being "with women." We are trained to listen, educate and advocate for what our patients feel is their best course of action. I aim to provide holistic care rooted in informed consent and shared decision making. Being able to support patients from their well woman visits, through their prenatal care course and back again has been the greatest privilege! \n I have called Charlotte home since 2015. Before making the jump to hospital-based care, I was involved with the organization and launch of several birthing centers. In my free time I stay actively involved in midwifery advocacy on a state level. When I am not working, you can find me chasing my three wild kids and our growing list of pets!

One could say nursing is a family business for me. I come from a long line of nurses, so it was logical for me to be interested in the field. In high school, after watching a video on midwifery, I became fascinated by the concept and challenge of taking care of a patient within a patient. I knew then that women's care was the perfect field for me. \n Women's healthcare is all about understanding our bodies with their unique functions. I see how important it is to teach women to value themselves, understand themselves, and respect and support their bodies through every stage of life. \n After starting our family in Boston, my husband and I relocated to Charlotte with two young boys. We've now been in the Queen City long enough to raise our children and are enjoying being empty nesters. We love to travel abroad, and enjoy staying active at home by taking long walks with our pup, gardening and visiting our kids.

As a high school student in Nigeria, I learned about the alarming number of women who died or experienced severe complications during childbirth. I became determined to find solutions to these issues. A few years later, when I moved to the United States to attend college, I read research done by the World Health Organization that showed midwives and skilled birth attendants were key factors in ensuring that women worldwide enjoy favorable outcomes during childbirth. I knew immediately that becoming a midwife would allow me to be part of the solution. \n I now work each day to provide empathetic, compassionate and evidence-based care to each patient I see. I hope to change the narrative around pregnancy and birth from one of fear and discomfort to one of joy, excitement and strength. I love to work collaboratively with patients so they can make informed decisions about their health. I believe all women deserve to have safe and satisfying birth experiences, and to feel seen, heard, valued and respected during their care. I want to help women sort through all the information they see online and help them figure out what can be trusted. I strive to be the voice of calm and reason for them so they can focus on their health and their families. \n My amazing, supportive husband and I have two lovely children who keep us both busy. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, listening to audiobooks and traveling.