“Midwifery is my heart’s work.”
If you haven’t yet met Sydney Calero, go follow her right now over at @moonlitmidwife — this NoCo student midwife is amazing! She’s got the sweetest calming presence, the knowledge, and the kind of passion for birth that just pours out of her.
Sydney is a senior student midwife based in Cheyenne, WY and serving families across Northern Colorado and Southeast Wyoming. She’s currently completing her Bachelor of Science in Midwifery at the Midwives College of Utah, with plans to launch her own practice — Moonlit Midwifery — in spring 2026.
Until then, she’s offering placenta encapsulation and childbirth education (so if you’re prepping for postpartum and want a grounded, holistic guide, she’s your gal).
Why Midwifery?
Sydney’s journey to birth work started way before she knew what it was. “Midwifery has been calling me since I was a little girl,” she says. But before she became a NoCo student midwife, she actually served in the Navy!
Everything shifted after the birth of her first son.
“It wasn’t until I gave birth to my first son, supported by a compassionate midwife in Nebraska… that everything truly clicked. That experience transformed me.”
Postpartum was no joke. Her husband was deployed. She was solo parenting. She had no family nearby. No support. “That season of raw vulnerability and strength deepened my calling,” she says. It just wasn’t time yet.
After her second baby, everything aligned. “I had a beautiful home birth… supported by a local midwife who now serves as one of my preceptors. After that birth, the pull toward midwifery was undeniable—I had the deep calling, and it was impossible to shake.”
She enrolled in midwifery school shortly after and hasn’t looked back!
Why She’s So Good at This
I asked Sydney what her favorite part of the job was?
“Witnessing the strength of women in birth… There’s nothing quite like seeing someone tap into their power and bring life into the world on their own terms.”
She’s supported first-time mamas through loooong labors, reminded them of their strength when they couldn’t see it, and been that steady, grounded presence every step of the way.
“It’s not about saving or fixing… it’s about standing beside while they discover what they’re capable of.”
Real Talk: Midwife Life Is Not Glamorous
“People are usually shocked when they find out I’m very rarely off call,” Sydney says.
Her phone is always on. Her bags are always packed. She’s juggling birth work, homeschooling, and family life — and making it work because it’s in her bones.
“It’s certainly not always graceful… but it works because this calling runs deep for me.”
And in case you’re wondering—yes, she’s also tired sometimes 😂. But her husband is, in her words, “a godsend” and her kids have learned that birth is a normal, powerful part of life.
Clearing Up Some Myths
Let’s bust a few misconceptions about midwives while we’re here:
❌ “Student midwives are untrained.”
✅ “Midwifery education is intense and comprehensive.”
❌ “Midwives are anti-hospital.”
✅ “I deeply respect the role of medical care when it’s needed… My goal is to support physiological birth and recognize when collaboration is in the best interest of the client.”
❌ “Midwives just show up to catch the baby.”
✅ “We provide prenatal care, lab work, education, continuous labor support, postpartum care, and more. It’s a relationship-based model.”
The Realities of Student Midwifery in Wyoming
When Sydney says she’s committed to this work, she means it. Because of the limited midwifery options in Wyoming, she’s been traveling far and wide to attend births and gain clinical experience. “I’ve basically been traveling all the way to Casper—which is three hours from me—and all the way down to Northern Denver,” she shared. “I drive like 120 miles on average for each birth. I’ve already logged 16,000 miles this year—and it’s only July.”
And it’s not just the distance that makes it intense. “Wyoming is really rural and has really long winters and a lot of road closures. Sometimes transfers go by life flight because the closest hospital is 2+ hours away.” To make it to births in blizzard conditions, Sydney even carries a special access code to drive on closed highways. “I keep enough stuff in my car to live for several days, just in case.”
Tips from a NoCo Student Midwife
If Sydney could shout three things from the rooftops to all expecting parents, it would be:
- Trust your body.
“It was made for this. So much of what happens is instinctive… even if it looks or feels different from what you expected.” - Build a support team that feels good.
You deserve to feel safe and heard. Choose people who honor your choices and center your voice. - Postpartum is a big deal. Prepare for it!
“Support should actually be… support. Not just baby holders. You need care too.”
What’s Next for Moonlit Midwifery?
Sydney is set to graduate and pursue CPM licensure in 2026—and when she does, she’ll be offering full-spectrum care including home births, prenatal visits, and postpartum support across Southeast Wyoming and Northern Colorado.
If you’re looking for a NoCo student midwife now, she’s already serving the area with childbirth classes and placenta encapsulation.
“This is it for me… It’s more than a job. It’s a calling, a passion, and a way of life.”
Want to connect with Sydney?
Follow her on Instagram: @moonlitmidwife
She’s the tie-dye-loving, Navy-vet, baby-catching, homeschool-mama birth nerd you didn’t know you needed. And she’s going to be an incredible midwife.
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