Our Director of Midwifery has attended over 500 Home Births

Kristen Klein, Director of Midwifery
– Credentials: LM, CNM

Kristen was first inspired to support women in birth after hearing about doulas following her training as a massage therapist. However, she didn’t start to take steps into the birth world until after the birth of her first child in 2002, when she realized that her birth experience could have been significantly better if she had been given the information and support she had needed. She started attending births as a DONA trained doula in 2005 and by 2008 realized that she needed to continue on this path and take the next steps in supporting families as a midwife. The first step was nursing school, which she finished in 2011 and then began working as a birth assistant in the home setting for another local midwife. She went on to attend Frontier Nursing University for her Master’s degree in midwifery and has been practicing in the capital district since graduating in 2018. Kristen has attended over 500 births in primarily the home setting, but also the hospital as well. Informed consent is at the foundation of her care model and supporting families through the most important moments of their lives is what drives her passion for this work. She is excited to be offering services in her community for many years to come!

Cara Finkle
– Credentials: LM, CNM, CLC

Cara Finkle, is a midwife at Southern Adirondack Midwifery with a lifelong passion for birth. Her interest in childbirth began as a child and deepened after the birth of her own first child. Cara spent six years working as a registered nurse at Burdett Birth Center in Troy, where she honed her skills in maternal care. Though she valued her experience there, she always felt a calling to the home birth setting. In 2021, she made the transition to supporting families in their homes, where she truly felt at home. During her three years in midwifery school, Cara served as the primary birth assistant before moving into the role of midwife at Southern Adirondack Midwifery. She is also a Certified Lactation Counselor, further expanding her ability to support families during the postpartum period. In her free time, Cara enjoys spending time with her family, camping, gardening, reading, and cooking/baking.

Hannah Gregory
– Credentials: RN, Certified Doula

Hannah Gregory, Birth Assistant, is a Registered Nurse and Certified Doula who has been involved in midwifery training and birth work for the past four years. It became a passion for her after shadowing at a labor and delivery ward at a hospital in Togo, West Africa. Hannah grew up in a family of 9 and has always loved caring for growing families through many outlets including nannying and postpartum doula support. She is excited about being part of a community where informed decision making, comprehensive pregnancy care, and holistic wellness are supported and fostered. She enjoys spending time with her nieces and nephews, camping, hiking, spending an afternoon in a coffee shop with a friend, and traveling to new places. Hannah plans to continue her education with the goal of becoming a Certified Nurse Midwife.

Amanda Simpson
– Credentials: RN, BSN

Amanda Simpson, RN, BSN is a birth assistant working for Southern Adirondack Midwifery. She spent ten years as a primary care nurse and four years in an outpatient infusion center before following her passion for pregnancy and childbirth. That passion deepened with the births of her three children—especially after experiencing a compassionate, empowering home birth with Kristen, following two hospital deliveries that left her wishing she’d found this path sooner. Amanda feels honored to support families as they welcome their babies in an environment that prioritizes informed, gentle care. Looking ahead, Amanda hopes to pursue midwifery certification in the future.

In her free time, Amanda enjoys being active outdoors with her family, seeing live music, and reading. A longtime vegan for reasons of health and compassion, she believes this lifestyle deepens her empathy and sense of connection—qualities she brings with her to every birth.

Abigail Emerson Harder
– Credentials: RN, BSN

Abigail is a registered nurse with over three years of experience supporting labor, birth, and postpartum—both at home and in the hospital. Her interest in childbirth began when she was just three years old, at which time she experienced the birth of her sibling at home. Since high school she has been pursuing her passion for birth and midwifery in a multitude of ways.

While attending nursing school, Abigail assisted at home births around the Capital Region. After becoming certified as an RN she began working as a labor and delivery nurse at Burdett Birth Center in Troy, NY; a place where she continues to create safe, compassionate spaces for families to welcome their babies into the world. Her background has given her an immense enthusiasm for caring for birthing people, holistic pregnancy wellness, and reproductive health. First and foremost, she aims to offer empathetic, evidence-based, equitable care to all birthing people. During times of leisure, Abigail enjoys hiking, paddle boarding, knitting, baking, spending time with friends and family, and traveling the world!

Our photography is graciously provided by April Newman Photography, Jayana LaFountaine at Jayana LaFotos, Bridget Stasko and Sydney K Andrew Photography.

About Us

Kristen Klein, Director of Midwifery– Credentials: LM, CNM

Cara Finkle– Credentials: LM, CNM, CLC

Hannah Gregory– Credentials: RN, Certified Doula

Amanda Simpson– Credentials: RN, BSN