Who We Are
At The Shire Midwifery, we see birth as a grand adventure—one where you lead the way, and we walk beside you with steady hands, warm hearts, and just the right amount of cheer. Like any proper epic tale, your journey into parenthood deserves a trusted guide, a peaceful setting, and the kind of support that reminds you, you were made for this. We bring the wisdom, the warmth, and maybe even a bit of second breakfast energy to see you through. No unnecessary fuss, no uninvited dragons—just the care, confidence, and good company you deserve.
The Shire was founded by Andie and Kristen with a shared vision: to create a place where families feel deeply supported, genuinely heard, and confidently informed. A place where midwifery care is both grounded and joyful, and where evidence and intuition work hand in hand to guide thoughtful, safe decision-making.
We believe informed consent is more than a signature; it’s a conversation. It’s taking the time to walk through options, answer questions, and make space for you to choose what feels right for your body, your baby, and your story.
We believe families deserve both autonomy and integrity in their care. That means you can trust us to respect your voice, and also trust us to be truthful, to use our clinical judgment, and to protect the safety of everyone involved.
At The Shire, we hold a high standard of care—for our clients and for our team. We believe safety and autonomy can coexist beautifully when there is trust, transparency, and shared respect. We believe birth works best when families feel confident and supported. And we believe the environment you step into matters just as much as the care you receive.
This is a place built with intention. A place where you are known. A place where your story matters. Here’s a glimpse of the team who will be walking this journey with you every step of the way!
The Shire Midwives
Dr. Andie Wyrick - DNP, CNM, APRN
A certified nurse midwife and doctor (yes, she’s that fancy), Andie has been a beloved part of the Houston birth community for over twenty years. Her journey has taken her through elementary school nursing, hospital L&D, birth center, and home birth while collecting wisdom, experience, and probably a few wild birth stories along the way. She has an unshakable belief in a woman’s ability to grow and birth her baby and sees midwifery as a true partnership, empowering families through trust, knowledge, and a good dose of laughter.
Andie’s approach is tender, funny, lighthearted, and refreshingly hands-off, offering evidence-based care with a side of snark and sass when needed. She’s been joyfully dating her hottie husband of 24 years (since junior high, no less) and is the proud mother of six incredible humans.
Beyond bellies, birth, and breastfeeding, Andie’s passions include swooning over her husband, devouring books and period dramas, and indulging in truly obscene amounts of movie theater popcorn. Organizing a rando drawer? Pure bliss. Life in The Shire wouldn’t be complete without her wit, warmth, and magic touch.
Kristen Bowers - BS, LM, CPM
A licensed midwife with a degree in forensic chemistry, Kristen has been walking alongside families on their birth journeys since 2015, after she first discovered the world of out-of-hospital birth during her own pregnancy. Much like an unexpected adventure, she was drawn in, finding beauty, wisdom, and a calling she couldn’t ignore.
Kristen believes birth is both sacred and joyfulan experience meant to be embraced with knowledge, laughter, and a deep sense of peace. She encourages parents to step into this journey with confidence, knowing they are not alone but surrounded by love, wisdom, and the kind of support that turns even the hardest roads into something beautiful.
When she’s not catching babies, Kristen can be found serving with multiple non-profits, collecting a hoard of memes worthy of a dragon’s treasure, binge-watching The Witcher, or dancing in her neighborhood talent show (because life should be lived with a little joy and whimsy).
A proud Slytherin raising three (split-house) children alongside her fellow Slytherin husband of 15 years, Kristen finds meaning in the magic of stories, the strength of community, and the deep, abiding truths that remind us we are all part of something greater. After all this time? Always.
The Shire Birth Assistants
Erica Kallaher
Erica is a mama of two adorable (but occasionally troublesome) sprites and lives a life full of love, laughter, and simple joys. She’s happiest with a boujie coffee from a local shop, gathered around a table for game night, or soaking in the beauty of everyday moments.
After welcoming both of her babies in a birth center with midwives, Erica fell in love with this work. She’s now honored to walk alongside other mothers, helping create the same kind of peaceful, supported beginnings that meant so much to her.
Before joining The Shire, she served as a volunteer firefighter and EMT, and now brings that same calm, capable presence to her role as a phlebotomist and one of our trusted birth assistants.
Jenni Ricketts
Jenni has been married to her husband for nearly 20 years, building a life rooted in family, adventure. She loves homesteading, traveling, and homeschooling, and is always ready to jump into a project—if it needs fixing or building, she’s already on it.
An LVN and a beloved Shire birth assistant, Jenni brings both skill and a steady, capable presence to our community. She’s the kind of person who works with her hands, thinks on her feet, and shows up with quiet strength.
Raising a family of four, Jenni carries a deep understanding of family life into her work. She’s honored to support families in these moments, helping create a space that feels calm, cared for, and grounded.
Kathryn Haarmann
Kathryn is an RN who has been part of the birth community for many years, bringing both experience and a natural, maternal presence wherever she goes. She loves a good country lifestyle, gardening, camping, and anything that lets her be outdoors with a little dirt on her hands.
A mama to three with a big personality to match, Kathryn brings warmth, energy, and a comforting presence to every space she enters, helping families feel both supported and right at home.
At The Shire, Kathryn serves as one of our wonderful birth assistants, offering steady support, a watchful eye, and a heart that naturally leans toward caring for others. She’s deeply involved in her church and carries that sense of service into everything she does.
