Maria B’alam, LM, CPM | Midwife |Doctoral Candidate
I am a licensed and certified midwife serving the greater Los Angeles area, and a doctoral candidate in Traditional Chinese Medicine, bringing a whole-body, integrative approach to reproductive care.
Born into a lineage of midwives and healers with roots in Central America, I was determined to become a midwife after witnessing the disparities and obstetric violence that many birthing people experience in the hospitals. I am committed to offering compassionate, empowering, and culturally rooted care, blending ancestral wisdom with modern science.
Through La Ceiba Midwifery, I provide gentle, holistic support across fertility, prenatal care, birth, and postpartum. I guide families with a calm, quiet presence, honoring the innate wisdom of your body while offering knowledge, reassurance, and guidance. My care is grounded in the Midwifery Model, evidence-based medicine, and traditional healing practices, creating a space where you feel seen, safe, and empowered.
I am intuitive yet steadfast, deeply communicative, and fully present, helping families navigate one of life’s most transformative experiences with confidence. Outside of births, I enjoy walking my dog, cooking ancestral foods, fermenting, studying Chinese medicine, adventuring, or savoring quiet days at home. Midwifery is my calling and passion, and I bring heart, knowledge, and a touch of humor to every family I serve.
Why Families Choose La Ceiba Midwifery
Ancestral Wisdom, Modern Care —honoring tradition while guiding families with evidence-based support.
Full-Spectrum Support — fertility, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care, personalized for every stage.
Empowering & Collaborative — your choices, your journey, fully supported.
Experienced & Trusted — over 15 years of compassionate, community-rooted midwifery care for growing families.
Midwifery Education + Training
Licensed Midwife (LM) – California & Certified Professional Midwife (CPM), credentialed by the North American Registry of Midwives
NARM-registered preceptor, qualified to educate and supervise student midwives in clinical training
Trained through the National College of Midwifery with a focus on community-based, out-of-hospital birth
Doctoral student at Yo San University studying Traditional Chinese Medicine
Advanced training in midwifery, lactation, Spinning Babies® techniques, homeopathy, and Indigenous modalities
Supported thousands of families since 2010, attending hundreds of births in home and birth center settings
Fertility optimization: education, cycle awareness, and Mayan abdominal massage to support natural conception, reproductive vitality, and connection to the body
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a homebirth midwife do?
As a Licensed Midwife (LM) and Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) in Los Angeles, I provide complete prenatal, birth, and postpartum care in your home. I offer safe, evidence-based, and relationship-centered care that honors the natural process of birth.
How is a midwife different from a doula?
A midwife is a licensed healthcare provider trained to offer clinical care—prenatal visits, catch the baby, monitor health, and provide postpartum care.
A doula offers emotional, physical, and educational support but does not provide medical care or deliver babies. Many families choose to have both for a complete support team.
Can I still see my OB or prenatal clinic?
Yes. You’re always welcome to continue seeing your OB or clinic for labs, ultrasounds, or second opinions. Midwifery care can complement your medical care—it’s about creating the team that feels right for you.
Is homebirth safe?
Yes. For healthy individuals with low-risk pregnancies, homebirth with a licensed midwife is a safe and empowering option. I bring all necessary equipment and have clear transfer plans in place should hospital care be needed.
Who will be at my birth?
Your birth team includes me (your midwife), a qualified assistant midwife, and your chosen support people or doula. Everyone on the team is trained and dedicated to creating a calm, safe, and supportive birth space.
How long are prenatal visits?
Prenatal visits are 60–90 minutes, giving us time to check in on your physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being—not just your vital signs.
What is the fee for homebirth care?
The total fee for full-service homebirth care is $8,000.
This includes all prenatal visits, birth attendance, postpartum visits, and your birth team.
Deposit: $800 (non-refundable)
Minimum payment: $260 per visit
All fees due by: 36 weeks
What if I start care late in pregnancy?
The fee remains the same. Every family receives the full scope of care, regardless of when care begins.
What if I transfer to a hospital?
If transfer occurs before 36 weeks, you’ll receive a prorated refund for unused care, minus your deposit and completed visits.
If transfer occurs during labor or after 36 weeks, the full fee applies, as most care has already been provided.
Do you take insurance?
I don’t bill insurance directly, but some PPO plans offer partial reimbursement for midwifery care. I can provide a superbill for you to submit to your provider.
Do you offer discounts?
Medi-Cal families receive a discounted rate.
Repeat clients receive a discounted rate.
Families who also hire a doula receive a discounted rate.
*discounts cannot be combined and are limited per year
What is fertility support?
My fertility sessions blend midwifery care with traditional medicine, including sobadas de matriz (Mesoamerican womb massage), herbs, nutrition, and cycle tracking. These sessions help balance hormones, support the uterus, and prepare the body for conception.
What is Mesoamerican postpartum care?
Rooted in Indigenous tradition, this care focuses on warmth, closure, and balance after birth. It may include sobadas, herbal steams or baths, belly wrapping, and the closing of the bones ceremony to honor your transition into parenthood.