Belinda K. Lashea, PhD-C, MSN, CNM, Clinical Herbalist

My midwifery journey began in 1998 with the homebirth of my second child—a profound and life-changing experience that taught me to trust the innate power of birth and the strength of a supportive community. That birth wasn’t just a personal milestone—it was a calling. It awakened in me a desire to support others in reclaiming their birth stories and to create spaces where families feel empowered, respected, and seen.

For 25 years, I’ve had the honor of attending over 1,000 births across homes, birth centers, and hospitals. My practice is grounded in relationship-based care, where trust, informed choice, and collaboration are central to every interaction.

A Lifetime of Community-Based Care

My journey began with an apprenticeship in Boone, NC, and Eastern TN, where I spent eight years training with two exceptional homebirth midwives and immersing myself in traditional midwifery and plant medicine. Together, we built a homebirth practice that served families across North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, honoring birth as a sacred event and community experience.

In 2008, I pursued my formal nurse-midwifery training, earning my BSN from UNC Chapel Hill in 2012 and my MSN in Nurse-Midwifery from East Carolina University in 2016. I joined the Women’s Birth & Wellness Center in Chapel Hill, a freestanding birth center where I provided full-scope maternity care with admitting privileges at UNC Hospital. I served as a staff midwife for six years and as Director of Midwifery from 2021 to 2022, leading our team in providing safe, compassionate, and family-centered care.

In 2022, I returned to the homebirth setting and founded Bear Root Midwifery in Wilmington, NC. Here, I’ve been able to embrace my vision of holistic, relationship-based care that extends beyond birth to lifelong wellness.

My Philosophy of Care: Holding Space for Your Story

My philosophy of care has been shaped not only by my clinical experience but also by my personal journey, my homebirths, and my love for community and connection. At Bear Root Midwifery, I strive to create a safe, empowering space where your story matters.

I believe that midwifery care should:

• Honor your autonomy: I support you in making informed decisions that align with your values, culture, and vision for your birth and care.

• Be holistic and inclusive: My care integrates herbal remedies, nutritional guidance, and evidence-based medicine to nurture your physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

• Offer continuity and connection: Whether I’m attending your birth, providing primary care, or guiding you through menopause, I am committed to being a trusted presence throughout your life’s journey.

Much of my practice has been inspired by the power of shared spaces—whether it’s the sacred intimacy of a birth room, the glow of a campfire with kindred spirits, or quiet moments with my horse, Rip, where intuition and partnership guide every step. These experiences remind me of the importance of presence, trust, and shared purpose in every aspect of care.

Leadership and Teaching

I’ve always believed that midwifery is both an ancient art and a modern science—something to be nurtured, taught, and evolved. Since 2016, I’ve served as part-time faculty in the nurse-midwifery program at East Carolina University, where I mentor and teach students about community birth, postpartum care, and reflective practice.

I’ve shared my expertise nationally, guest lecturing at institutions such as Yale University and SUNY Stony Brook, and presenting at community birth summits and herbal workshops.

My leadership roles include:

• President of the North Carolina Midwives Alliance (NCMA)

• Board Member of the NC Midwifery Education Regulation & Association (NCMERA)

• Former Chair of the Community Birth Committee for the NC American College of Nurse-Midwives (NCACNM)

Advocacy is at the core of my work. I’ve helped to organize statewide events such as the NC Community Birth Summit and the NC Walk for Midwives, fostering collaboration and strengthening the midwifery community.

Herbalism and Holistic Healing

Herbal medicine has been woven into my practice from the very beginning. My education has come through self-led study, traditional apprenticeships, and decades of hands-on experience in crafting remedies for common pregnancy, postpartum, and general wellness concerns.

I believe that plant medicine offers a gentle, effective way to support the body’s natural processes. At Bear Root Midwifery, I offer herbal consultations as part of my holistic approach and host workshops that empower midwives, birth workers, and community members to use plant medicine safely and confidently.

A Vision for Lifelong Care

Midwifery is about so much more than birth—it’s about being there for every chapter of life. Whether you’re navigating menarche, preparing to welcome your first baby, or transitioning through menopause, I offer care that respects your whole story. Community midwifery means showing up, not just in moments of transition, but in the everyday.

At Bear Root Midwifery, my goal is to provide care that feels personal, grounded, and empowering—care that reminds you of your strength and supports you as you write the next chapters of your story.

Outside of Midwifery

When I’m not attending births, teaching, or mentoring, I find joy in:

• Competing in ranch horse events with my big red horse, Rip!

• Gathering around campfires with women who inspire me, sharing stories and laughter

• Tending to my garden and crafting herbal remedies that reflect the healing power of the land