Our Team

Kimberly A. Verbarg

Florida Licensed Midwife, Director, Founder

Hi, my name is Kim Verbarg, and I am the Director and Founder of Sweet Child O’ Mine. I am a Florida Licensed Midwife since 2009. I have been actively involved in the birth and natural health fields since 1989, first as a birth assistant and student midwife, then as a Midwife. I also have worked in the holistic health field as a Naturopathic Doctor, Herbalist and Reflexologist. I am a 2009 graduate of the Florida School of Traditional Midwifery in Gainesville. I became a Midwife because I believe that women should have quality birth options which include sensitive care, natural birthing, and individual control over health care decisions. I have two adult daughters which were both birthed at home and a granddaughter who was birthed at the birth center. My own birthing experiences were the most magical moments of my life, and I’d like to help make every woman’s birth experience just as beautiful. If you are currently expecting, congratulations! I look forward to meeting you.

Maureen Berning

Clinical Operations Manager, Licensed Midwife

Hello, my name is Maureen Berning, and I am a midwife at Sweet Child
O’Mine. I am a 2020 graduate from the Florida School of Traditional
Midwifery in Gainesville, Florida. I have also been trained as a birth
doula, a childbirth educator and in placenta encapsulation. I have been
working as a birth assistant/student midwife at Sweet Child for five years
and love being a part of this wonderful team. My mother was a La Leche
League leader for over 30 years and introduced me to home birth at a very
young age. Throughout my life I have always been extremely interested in
pregnancy and delivery, and I am so excited to be dedicating my life to
aiding and empowering women to birth the way they choose. I feel myself
blossoming into the person I have always hoped to be and feel like my life
is heading in such an amazing direction. I am so thankful to be able to
witness so many first breaths and I am grateful to share those precious
moments with the families we serve.

Kitty Lakey

Licensed Midwife, CLC

Kitty Lakey is a Licensed Midwife, Certified Professional Midwife, Certified Lactation Counselor, mom of two teens, wife, ISFJ-T, Hufflepuff, and sci-fi aficionado. Kitty felt drawn to midwifery after her own experiences with birth. Kitty thought that all low-risk families that wanted a Midwife should have the option of a different kind of care. Kitty felt drawn to the strong emphasis placed on bodily autonomy and consent in midwifery care. Kitty graduated from The Florida Traditional School of Midwifery in 2017. Kitty has practiced in the surrounding midwifery community since graduating.

Rowan Smith

Licensed Midwife

My name is Rowan, and I am a Licensed Midwife who graduated from Florida School of Traditional Midwifery in 2020. Originally from Ohio, I moved to Florida in 2017. After desiring to be involved in women’s care my entire life, I graduated with a Bachelor’s in Chemistry and shadowed many doctors and nurses at hospitals. Through those experiences I found where my heart belongs – with natural birth. Being able to be in a setting where I can provide education, informed consent, and provide the space for a woman to trust in her power and body is so humbling, fulfilling, and my passion. I am honored to be involved with the start (and additions!) to new families. I strive to provide a down-to-earth space in appointments where you can speak freely, feel heard, and simply be yourself. I encourage any and all curious questions from parents or the little ones, so if you have some, write them down to bring to an appointment! 

Melinda Morales

Office Manager, Doula

Melinda Morales is a full spectrum doula and certified perinatal educator specializing in teen pregnancy and young parent support. She is a mother to 3 boys, and a teen birth advocate supporting families in Central Florida since 2006. She is the founder of Project Teenbirth, Inc. – a community based program supporting and educating teen and young parents. She is an active board member of the Tampa Bay Birth Network. Her story has been featured in Rewire.News, Not Another Teen Mommy.com, #noteenshame.tumbler.com, and Young Parent Anthology.

Areline Williams

LPN, Clinical Nurse, Childbirth Educator

Congratulations on the upcoming birth of your baby! My name is Areline Williams and I have been with Sweet Child O’Mine since its beginning in 2009. My role here is to supervise the clinical and laboratory needs of the facility, educate staff, and keep the birth well stocked and supplied. I also teach the childbirth classes. I have been an LPN for over 30 years with a long history of working in the maternal-child health divisions of nursing. For a few years, I was a doula, supporting laboring women through the process of birth. I met Kim in 2006 when I was training to be a doula. Currently, I am a certified childbirth educator, have been trained by Barbara Harper in waterbirth. I am certified in birth assisting and worked with Sweet Child O’ Mine as a birth assistant for 5 years. Since I started working at Sweet Child, I feel I have a new lease on life and my passion for birth grows more and more every day. I have seen hundreds of births and yet, it never ceases to amaze me every time. In my personal life, I am married and have four children. My family and I are avid Tampa Bay Rays fans. In my spare time I like to go to Rays games, read, do needle work, and last but not least, continue to learn all I can about birth so that I can be a wonderful part of helping you achieve a beautiful birth experience.

Rachel Hoffman

Patient Care Coordinator

Hi there! My name is Rachel, and I am the Patient Care Coordinator at Sweet Child O’ Mine. I’m a happily married “crazy cat lady” (no shame), and have three angel babies in heaven that I can’t wait to see again someday.

In my spare time, I love hiking, the TV show “Friends,” the occasional video game, forced snuggles with my kitties, and further expanding my knowledge on anything pregnancy and/or birth related. 🙂

Congratulations on your pregnancy! I’m so happy you’re considering us for your care. I worked in the front office at the birth center for nearly 4 years, until my husband and I relocated to the beautiful state of North Carolina in July of 2018. I am now blessed to do my job remotely from home. Although I may not get to meet you and your precious little one in person, I’m excited to get to know you virtually via phone calls and emails.
Pregnancy and childbirth are such beautiful, natural things, and I am so grateful to be a part of a team that helps bring babies into the world the way they do! Please let me know if there is any way I can be of assistance to you and your family during this experience; I’d be happy to help!

Edie Crumley

Financial Coordinator

Hello, my name is Edie. I am a part of the administrative team at Sweet Child O’ Mine, specifically here to help you with your insurance needs, financial contract and payment solutions. I work from home, so while I may not get the opportunity to meet you in person, I do get the pleasure of speaking with you on the phone. I am here to help you with all your billing and financial questions. Please let me know how I can assist you.

Lexie Duncan

Administrative Assistant 

Hi, I’m Lexie. I am both an Administrative Assistant in the office and also a Birth Assistant at Sweet Child O’ Mine. Ever since I was little, I dreamed of working at a birth center. The idea that women could birth out of a hospital in a safe and peaceful setting was amazing to me and something that I wanted to be a part of.  I look forward to greeting you at your visits or assisting at the birth of your little one. 

Sarah Walsh, RN, BSN

Nurse, Doula

Sarah is a DONA trained birth doula whose passion is supporting all mother’s through their pregnancy, birth and postpartum journeys. She is a wife and a mother of two, Noah and Evelyn. Her journey in the birth world and as a birth doula began as an active duty United States Marine when the wives of other service members sought her out and asked that she be there for them during their labor. Sarah sincerely believes that all stages of pregnancy and birth are sacred. Not only are babies born but so are mothers. Her fulfillment is in knowing that each mother feels safe, supported and empowered through the beautiful and life changing journey that is pregnancy and birth.

Carryn Barrilleaux

Certified Doula

My name is Carryn Barrilleaux and I completed my doula training with Commonsense Childbirth Institute. I have been doing doula work for 4 years. I’m a follower of Jesus, a wife, and a mother to 3 children, two boys Harrison (9)  my son Henry who is autistic (7), and my daughter Cienna (6). I love to walk the journey through pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum and build relationships along the way. Being with a family as they transform in birth is my purpose fulfilled. My heart is that my client knows I’m in their corner always. I’ve had a few obstacles I’ve had to overcome in my life but I’ve never let them crush me. Being a teen mom and a special needs mom to name two big ones. These moments have shaped how I help as a doula the moment to moment. I have resilience. I know that I can withstand and spring back. In the other nooks of my life, I’m a homemaker and lifelong learner. I love cooking or baking when I have to follow a detailed recipe or volunteer cheer coaching when I can.

Tharcha Saint Preux

Birth Assistant

My name is Tharcha Saint Preux. I am a birth assistant at Sweet Child O’ Mine. I have been working in different aspects of women’s care for five years. Women’s health has always been my passion and pursuit. I strongly advocate for women to make their own decisions during their birthing journey because it only makes the experience more special. God has placed me in certain areas for a reason, and I have come to learn that my purpose is to empower and carry a calm spirit in the lives of others. That being said, I will continue to help empower women and parents in an aspect of life that can feel scary. I look forward to supporting and assisting you along with all of the other Sweet Child O’ Mine families.

Shaunte “Tay” Langley

Birth Assistant

Hello! I’m Tay! I’m a California born but Alabama raised extrovert and empath. I fell in love with the birth community back in 2010 during my career as a birth photographer. As a mother of four, I realized that there is something special about someone being there and holding space for another while giving birth, reassuring them that they are not alone. During COVID, I became trained as a doula so that I could better serve my birth photography clients. I enjoy being a part of someone’s birth story, and I look forward to being a part of yours.

Christina Britton

Birth Assistant

Hi! My name is Christina. I am mommy to two wonderful children. I am a Registered Nurse specializing in Pediatrics with a love for Labor & Delivery. I wanted to move from the traditional sense of nursing and that is how I found Sweet Child O’ Mine. Since being diagnosed as a Type 1 Diabetic I also frequently volunteer for the Florida Diabetes Camp as a part of their medical staff. I enjoy serving others and am looking forward to serving you and your growing family.

Aerial Naranjo

Birth Assistant

My name is Aerial Naranjo. I am a Birthing Assistant at Sweet Child O’ Mine. I went to school to become a CNA and worked in a nursing home doing home health. I would say my gifting is to serve! I enjoy being a part of helping the midwives bring life into this world and making sure the rooms have been thoroughly cleaned between births. Being able to witness the joy on the new parents’ faces when they deliver their babies is priceless. I look forward to learning everything in this field and serving the Sweet Child O’ Mine families, including yours!

Brooke Winchester

Certified Doula

Brooke is a passionate certified birth doula and 3x homebirth mama who embodies her family motto “Love God, Love People. Serve God, Serve People.” The job of a doula is to love and serve a family through labor and childbirth, physically and emotionally. Brooke is a loving mom to three sweet boys under the age of five and wife to her highschool sweetheart where they reside in the Tampa Bay area. She has been serving families as a doula for over five years.