Meet the Midwives

The Rock Creek Midwives are all licensed, Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs), accredited through the North American Registry of Midwives. CPMs receive intensive midwifery training including academic study and in-depth apprenticeship over a three-year period.  CPMs specialize in out-of-hospital midwifery care. They are independent practitioners and do not need a backup doctor to provide care. All midwives and assistants are trained at length in birth emergency skills and hold current CPR and Neonatal Resuscitation certifications.

Rachel Cipryk, Primary Midwife

I am passionate about pregnancy and birth care and education rooted both in current research and evidence and the age-old wisdom of midwifery. I enjoy helping people understand their options and make choices that work best for them and their family.  I love midwifery for the breadth of choice it offers, and I am excited to be able to offer these to families who are looking for the best possible birth experience and welcome for their babies.   

I had my first home birth in 2013. Not only was it my entry into parenthood, but my first exposure to what became my life’s work. I found a love of all things pregnancy and birth and was so appreciative of the nurturing prenatal and birth care that my midwives provided. By the end I knew that midwifery was the right path for my next life chapter.

In 2015 I left my first career in international development to retrain as a CPM. My midwifery experience has focused exclusively on home birth and included apprenticeships in the DC area and the Amish community in Pennsylvania. This diversity has taught me that there is a vast range of what families want during this transformative time in their lives, and that regardless of one’s particular choices, respectful, attentive and nurturing care is a constant element in what people desire. I opened Rock Creek Midwifery in 2018 to do just this. And I am always grateful for the opportunity to provide that care through this chapter, and to share in the growth and joy of these moments.  

When not midwifing, I love spending time with my two children and wonderful husband, cooking, sharing meals with friends, gardening and traveling. Born and bred in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, I have happily made Takoma, DC my home since 2010.

Education & Certifications:

• Certified Professional Midwife, licensed in Maryland and Virginia

• Midwifery education from Birthwise Midwifery School

• MA in Poverty and Development, IDS, UK

• BA in Political Science, Brock University, Canada

• Spinning Babies Certified

• Trained Doula

Brittany Coffman, Midwife

I believe your birth is not just the beginning of your child’s life but the beginning of your adventure in parenthood. Only positive outcomes can come from nurturing and empowering a person at the beginning of this journey. I support your choices for you and your family.  

Before my journey to midwifery began, I worked for about 10 years in primary care as a Physician Assistant.  Upon attending my first home birth in 2010, my whole world changed. Once I gave birth in my own home in 2012, my goal was set. Since 2014, I have attended births in the home environment as a doula, birth assistant or midwife. In 2018, I became a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) licensed through the state of Maryland. I feel fortunate that my past has brought me to this place – where I feel passionate about my future. I love offering this model of partnership support and care to local families. I feel honored to walk alongside this journey of pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period.

When not doing midwifery-related things, you can find me experimenting in the kitchen, dreaming up potlucks and family celebrations in our home, or exploring on adventures with my small clan. Currently, I live with my three beautiful daughters, my husband Bob, two fur pups and a flock of chickens in Middletown, MD.

Education & Certifications:

• Certified Professional Midwife, licensed in Maryland

• Associates Degree in Midwifery, SWTC

• Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

• Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology, Hood College

• Trained Doula

Michelle Disney, Midwife

My background in birth work spans about a decade and began as a birth and postpartum doula.  I absolutely loved supporting clients in this capacity - in the emotional and physical work of labor both in the hospital and home.  With the birth of my last child (a planned homebirth), I realized I wanted to shift into specializing in out of hospital birth.  The close relationship I was developing with midwives in our community was the last push I needed to jump into training to become a birth assistant and out-of-hospital midwife.  I trained as a birth assistant over the course of a year with local midwives and have been working as a professional birth assistant since.  I’m also now excited to be entering my third and final year as a midwifery student - in 2022 .   

As a birth assistant, I am trained to assist your midwife in both the clinical and emotional aspects of your birth.  I will, at times, assist in collecting vitals for you and your baby, making sure they are within normal limits and communicating discrepancies with your midwife.  I am also well trained and experienced in mitigating the various complications of birth including the need for IV placement, managing shoulder dystocia, neonatal resuscitation and postpartum hemorrhage.  While I expect your labor will go off without a hitch, you can rest assured that I will help manage anything that comes up adeptly, smoothly and with compassion.

When I’m not working you will find me spending time with my children (I have four) and family, reading a book (usually about birth!), or out in my garden where I have a passion for growing food. My family and I have lived in Frederick County for the last 8 years.  

It is my goal to empower and support birthing people and their families so that they can have their most satisfying and safe birth possible and on their own terms.  It is my greatest joy to help a birthing person have the best chance at achieving the experience they most desire. I look forward to discussing your journey with you, getting to know you and having the opportunity to support you through your labor and delivery and beyond as you settle into your new dynamic.

Education and Certifications:

• Certified Professional Midwife

• BA in African Studies and Child Development and Female Health

• Trained Birth and Postpartum Doula

• Infant Sleep Specialist

Jael Marajh, Student Midwife

Jael is a mother, entrepreneur, doula, and midwifery student at SouthWest Tech Midwifery School.  She had been a doula since 2021 and as a student has attended over 30 births.  She is also the CEO of NutureUp, a business dedicated to providing local families with homebirth midwives, nannies, and postpartum doula services.  Jael is in her assistant phase of midwifery school, which means she will be acting as another assistant at births.  In the spring of 2024 Jael will move in to her role of acting as primary midwife under supervision - a role in which we know she will accel. Her certifications include:

• Postpartum Doula (CAPPA)

• Birth Doula (DONA)

• Safe Sleep Practices (First Candle)

• Breastfeeding for Doulas (DONA)

• Newborn Care Specialist 

• CPR, First Aid, NRP Certified

Taja Iglesia, Student Midwife

Taja is currently a full spectrum doula, the vibrant force behind The Momager Co. Born and raised in the DC Metro area, Taja brings a deep connection to her community as she uplifts and empowers families on their transformative journeys through birth and parenthood. Her passion for birthwork blossomed from her own pregnancy experiences. Attending births in various settings allowed her to see the amazing contrast between birthing in a facility vs birthing at home solidifying her desire to become a midwife.  Taja, her wife, and her 2 children live in Arlington, VA. Taja attends National College of Midwifery.  Her certifications include:

• Birth & bereavement Doula Certified (StillBirthday)

• Birth Doula Certified (National Black Doula Association)

• Adoption Doula Certified (StillBirthday)

• Placenta Encapsulation & Preparation Certified (IPPA)

• Sex Doula Certified (National Black Doula Association)

• Full Spectrum Doula Certified (Ceremonia)

• NewBorn Care Specialist

• CPR, NRP, First Aid Certified

• Owner | The Momager Co. & Founder | The Momager Collective

• Chair | Arlington NAACP Health Committee

• Partner | DMV/NOVA Community Doula Project

• Board Member | Healthy Families Arlington County

• Board Member | Arlington Partnership for Children Youth
  & Families

• Co-Founder | Ceremonia: Full Spectrum Doula Training