Our Team

Wendy Pinter, CPM

Certified Professional Midwife, President of Nine Short Months

The moment that you find out you have a little one on the way, you start having to make many new and important decisions. What should I eat? Should I drink that? Who is going to care for me and my baby? I understand that this is a time where the choices you make can impact your family forever. I want to assure you that I am hoping to make your pregnancy and birth experience one less thing to worry about.

Birth is such a natural event when we leave it undisturbed. It is such a simple concept, but one that still goes largely misunderstood in America’s maternity system!

As a midwife, I see my role as being the knowledgeable one who will step in in case something goes wrong at a birth. Most of the time, that is not necessary, so I provide support and sacred space for your family to peacefully birth in whatever way that might look like to you. There are many people who take comfort in giving birth in a birthing center instead of their home, and for them I created Nine Short Months Birth and Community Wellness Center. This is a one stop shop for many services that you may need in the childbearing year. Midwifery, water birth, acupuncture, massage, lactation consultants, doulas, childbirth education, and placenta encapsulation are all coexisting under one roof.

I am comfortable to safely take you from where you are right now to the birth that you want to have. I have resources and connections that will help you to have all your health concerns that you or I might want to have addressed before the birth of your baby so that we can relax and enjoy your birth when the day comes. After your birth, our practice is unique in that we are able to perform all state mandated testing for newborns and we are equipped to handle most common postpartum complications a mother may experience, right in our facility. I feel that it is important that if I’m going to do this job, I am going to do it right.

Side note: For a charge, we do often provide the following services to clients of other midwives who do not provide them when we are available. (It is best if you inquire about postpartum testing before your birth with another midwife so that we can ensure you have the proper supplies on hand in the time frame that it is needed.):

Repair of lacerations
Newborn metabolic screening
Hearing screening
Pulse oximetry reading to screen for heart defects

Emily Stevenson, CPM

Certified Professional Midwife

Emily graduated from Birthingway College of Midwifery in Portland, Oregon and is a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM). She has experience in both birth center and homebirths and a majority of her experience was at a water birth center in Portland, Oregon. She has attended births in a variety of settings, including MamaBaby Haiti, a Haitian midwfe run birth center in northern Haiti. Prior to becoming a midwife, Emily spent several years as a doula, attended Westmont College and Portland State University, and trained in emergency medical services. Emily relocated to Michigan in 2017 and lives with her partner in Detroit. When she is not at a birth, Emily enjoys working on renovating her home in Southwest Detroit and exploring Southeast Michigan with her rescue dog.

Niku Rice

Birth Doula

I was born in Iran, raised in San Diego, and graduated college with an English degree in northern California, where I met my husband. Planting roots here in Michigan 10 years ago after starting a family has turned out to be one of the best decisions we ever made. We live in Oakland county with our three amazing daughters and our wild little dog, Fenwick. When I’m not doing birth work, I enjoy yoga, making jewelry, baking, going to concerts with my husband, and volunteering at my kids’ schools. I am professionally trained as a birth and postpartum doula, and also have training and experience in breastfeeding basics.

I came into birth work as a natural extension of the things I value and stand for: education, community, and family. In birth, being prepared and knowledgeable is what gives you the confidence to stand up for you needs, speak up for your desires, and be unapologetic about what you want. Information really is power and a doula can help you research and find the best information out there! I also believe that we all need a village- a community to hold us up and help us out, especially when we’re feeling most vulnerable. With their knowledge of pregnancy and birth, doulas are an essential part of your village! And finally, when a baby is born, a family is born. I believe empowered, confident birthing leads to empowered, confident families. Birth is like mountain climbing: you have the power within you to do it, you train, prepare, and you research. Your doula acts as a guide for you and your partner- helping you navigate the terrain, holding space for you to find your way, and standing in awe of your strength. If you think we’re on the same page, I would love to hear from you! Contact me at niku@nineshortmonths.com

Brandy Walters, BBA, IBCLC

I am passionate about breastfeeding and want to help mothers in the community feel confident in their breastfeeding relationship. I am an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and have been a breastfeeding counselor and advocate for more than 14 years. My first son taught me how to be a mother through breastfeeding. In addition to my professional experience, I successfully nursed my three boys for more than a year each. I am proud of the work I do to help empower breastfeeding mothers.
Breastfeeding is an art and is one of the most natural acts a mother can do with her baby. However, some times it takes practice, dedication and extra support. You and your baby will learn together.

I will support you in your breastfeeding journey whether that be 2 weeks, 2 months or 2 years and beyond. I provide services for newborns, babies beginning solids, pumping, weaning and a vast array of breastfeeding situations and challenges. I have worked with twin sets and early term babies, premature babies and NICU babies. Continued education is very important to me in my line of work. I want to help you reach your breastfeeding goals.

Contact Brandy at brandy@nineshortmonths.com