Meet Tenáj Ikner: Student Midwife, Doula Educator, and a Mom

Introduce Yourself

Share a couple paragraphs that can include. Who you are, where you are located, how you were initiated into birthwork, birth work experience,  what calls you to this program, and what you are hoping to gain from this experience.  Share about yourself and your family. 

Hi everyone, I’m Tenáj! It rhymes with mirage. 

I have always been drawn to pregnancy and birth, and over the years, I’ve found myself moving closer and closer toward midwifery. Becoming a midwife has long been a “big girl” dream of mine—one I thought wouldn’t come for another eight years as I homeschool my children. But sometimes, timing feels divinely aligned.

One of my doula students shared The Matrona with me. It spoke to my passion for birth and my desire for autonomy in this work. The idea of sovereignty in birth care resonated deeply, and when I spoke with Whapio and learned this would be her last cohort, I knew this was the moment to step forward. I’ve never been one to take the traditional route, so pursuing independent midwifery feels like exactly the right path for me.

I hold birth as sacred—a true kairos moment, a space where time shifts, and something eternal takes place. I approach this journey with a deep respect for the spiritual significance of a woman bringing forth life, while also remaining firmly rooted in my Bible-believing, Christian faith—something I will never compromise. Psalm 139:13 says, “For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb.” I believe birth is a God-ordained process, and I hope to support families from a perspective grounded in biblical principles.

I absolutely love the power a woman holds on this Earth and within her family—her ability to nurture, build, and bring life both physically and spiritually. At the same time, I deeply value and respect the headship of the husband and father, honoring his role as a covering for his family. My goal is to support families in a way that strengthens both mothers and fathers, reinforcing the beauty of God’s design for family life.

When it comes to lifestyle, I’m somewhere between crunchy and convenience. I love a good Starbucks moment, but I’ll reach for homeopathics before meds. I use frequency medicine in my household and occasionally with clients, but only because there’s practical and scientific evidence supporting it. I’m learning to balance my desire for a homestead with the city girl in me—I want the chickens and the garden, but also love shopping at Target. My mom was teased by her sisters and called a witch for using things like chamomile tea for pink eye, and let’s just say I’ve taken holistic living even further. But I’ll still grab a cute planner and a latte without hesitation.

Beyond birthwork, I’m a wife to my high school sweetheart and a homeschooling mom to three amazing kids (18, 16, & 11). We graduated our oldest last June! I train doulas, teach high schoolers goal-setting and life skills, and own Elevate Maternity in Southern California. I’m an introvert, a coffee lover, and a collector (and reader!) of books. I’m also a planner junkie—I truly believe each of these are their own love language. For me at least.

I’m excited to be in this space, learning alongside each of you, and I look forward to seeing where this journey leads!