Christine Yentes,LM CPM, Executive Director

Christine Yentes, our founding midwife and owner of Holly no. 7 began practicing midwifery in 1992 and is celebrating her retirement in 2026.

Her interest in midwifery began in 1981 when she had the good fortune of attending the birth of her best friend's daughter. Watching the role of the midwife and seeing the power of women during birth ignited a flame for being with women throughout their births which she has followed to this day.

After having three children Christine began pursuing her goal of becoming a midwife. She apprentice/worked with a midwife in Belfast before setting our on her own. The ensuing years have been full of many memorable families and their births. In 2003 Christine became a Certified Professional Midwife and continues to keep her certification current. Christine is a member of Midwives of Maine and Maine Association of Certified Professional Midwives and Midwives Alliance of North America.

Christine comes from a long line of women who have attended women as they birth. Her grandma, Bobby, was the nurse on duty that took care of her the day she was born and her great-grandma, Nonnie, was a midwife who had a 'home' for birthing women in Indiana.

Although Chris is no longer actively practicing however she is actively involved in the runnings of the practice.

Image courtesy of My Maine Birth

Aura Moore,LM CPM, Practice manager

Aura was exposed to midwifery at a very young age; some of her earliest memories are of her own mother preparing childbirth education classes as a student midwife herself. After the birth of her four children and attending her first birth in 2003 her passion for birth only grew, from birth photography to certifying and working as a birth and bereavement doula, she was fueled to become a midwife. She believes people deserve care and respect for their bodily autonomy and is directed by the passion to further assist women in the informed and empowered birth of  their choosing. 

Aura attended Birthwise Midwifery School in 2019 until its closing then transferred to Midwives College of Utah where she obtained her Bachelors of Science in Midwifery and CPM in 2023.  During her studies, Aura has apprenticed with amazing midwives in Maine, Pennsylvania, and Uganda as part of her instruction into the profession. 

In her spare time, Aura loves spending time with her family, gardening, preserving the harvest, and working with herbs.

Jenna PaynE, LM CPM, RN

Jenna first became interested in birth and reproductive health during her training as an herbalist. This interest led her to become a full spectrum doula, which furthered her passion, leading her to midwifery. 

After attending her first birth in 2013, she apprenticed with homebirth midwives in western North Carolina, becoming an RN along the way, and working at a freestanding birth center in Asheville, NC. She finished her studies at Holly No. 7 and obtained her CPM in 2024. She is excited to be part of the stellar team at the Holly No. 7 birth center! 

She lives with her partner and two dogs on their homestead at the headwaters of the Sheepscot river, tending a large garden and orchard.

"Being a midwife is such a huge honor and privilege. It never ceases to amaze me how miraculous and unique every single birth is! I am grateful to serve our communities and hope to continue doing so for a long time.”

Anna McGuire, LM CPM

“The oldest of seven daughters, I remember seeing my mother go through routine hospital based-care. It especially stood out to me during her last pregnancy when she wasn’t afforded the respect and deference she should have been able to expect for her lived experience and expertise. I knew there must be a better way.

I believe that I have found the most wonderful work in the world being able to provide midwifery care. As a midwife, it is my privilege to use my head, my hands and my heart in order to serve you and your family through the transformational life event that is pregnancy and birth! This work is deeply humbling and I am constantly learning. I completed the majority of my training at Holly No.7 under Chris's guidance, and after three years of solo practice, I am so grateful to be returning to my roots and serving my community alongside Jenna and Aura and our excellent team of students and staff. I have birthed 5 babies myself, the first four at home, but most recently I experienced birth at the birth center and care from my colleagues! I am thankful to have experienced many different facets of this care that we give, as a client and as a midwife. I couldn't show up as a midwife the way that I am able to, if not for my amazing husband who is the primary parent and homeschool teacher in our home.”

Gabby Gonzales, Student Midwife

Gabby grew up in Maine with a deep respect for women’s autonomy, especially in healthcare. From an early age, she understood the importance of informed choice, compassionate support, and honoring each individual’s unique experience. This foundation shaped her path both personally and professionally.

She went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in Health Science, along with a minor in Holistic Health, where she developed a well-rounded understanding of both clinical care and whole-person wellness.

In 2020, Gabby became a doula, stepping into birth spaces with a commitment to advocacy and emotional support. It was during her first attended birth with Holly No. 7 that everything clicked—she discovered her calling to become a midwife.

Since January 2024, Gabby has been apprenticing under Holly No. 7, gaining hands-on experience and deepening her knowledge of midwifery care. Now nearing the completion of her studies, she is preparing to step fully into her role as a midwife, grounded in both skill and compassion.

A local at heart, Gabby now lives in Surry, Maine with her partner. When she’s not supporting clients or studying, she enjoys spending time outdoors—rock climbing and surfing whenever she can.

Kathryn Johnston, Office Manager, RN

Kathryn is the Holly No. 7 office manager. She has training as a nurse, doula and farmer. Kathryn believes in creating and supporting out of hospital birth options and loves to be part of the team of amazing midwives, students and staff at Holly No. 7!

Outside of work Kathryn enjoys spending time hiking and swimming with her family and animals. She is currently studying biodynamic craniosacral therapy and is hoping to incorporate this modality into future work as well.

Photo courtesy of Tiffany Carter Photography

Lucretia Saucier, Bookkeeper

Lucretia has an uncanny love for balancing check books and book keeping! She has been doing this work since high school and is happy to use these skills to support her mom, Chris, in keeping the birth center finances in order. She loves working with her mom and how this role allows them to interact more. We are so appreciative of all that Lucretia does here at Holly No. 7 to support staff, clients and the smooth running of the birth center! 

Lucretia is the mother of two teenage boys and lives in Belfast Maine. She loves being on the ocean and gardening vegetables and flowers.