Jane E. Drichta

"The Essential Homebirth Guide" is the latest incarnation of a life spent in the company of women. Inspired by such authors as Madeleine L'Engle and Louisa May Alcott, Jane spent her childhood reading and writing, eventually majoring in English at St. Louis University. Soon after graduation, she married, and in a few years, her daughter Anna was born. With a real live baby running the show, Jane's interests turned to pregnancy, birth and parenting, and she has never looked back.

She now lives and works in Seattle, Washington as a perinatal massage therapist, and all around birth worker. A Certified Professional Midwife, Jane works closely with Shanti Uganda, a non-governmental organization (NGO)which works to improves infant and maternal health, provide safe women-centered care and support the well-being of birthing mothers and women living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda.

She has written for "Midwifery Today," "Squat," and other non-birth related publications. She is an international lecturer on assorted birth topics, and in her spare time enjoys travel, music, and spending time with her family, especially the little baby, now almost grown, who inspired this path.

You can read more about Jane at www.essentialmidwifery.com.