Diane M. Dirks, CNM

My long and winding path as a midwife began in the early 1980’s at LA County USC Women’s Hospital working as a nurse on the High-Risk Labor and Delivery Unit (5L) at a time when there were 50-80 births a day! This is where I first encountered midwifery care, inspired by the midwives’ calm presence instilling confidence in our patients. Loving what I experienced, I pursued midwifery and graduated from the USC Nurse Midwifery Education Program, onsite at Women’s Hospital, in 1988. I was privileged to join the staff and faculty working alongside 32 knowledgeable midwives, creating space for unique family-centered care for our underserved patients on the Normal Birth Center. 

My experience with labor and birth over the years has been gleaned through a variety of settings: homebirth, birth center, and community hospitals in the Pasadena area where we live. I have grown to respect the beauty of how a woman’s body is designed to give birth with natural support as well as appreciate the availability of tools, if needed, to promote healthy outcomes. I enjoy working on the team of UCLA OBGYN/Midwifery because of the varied ways we are able to support childbearing families in a collaborative way.

My husband Paul and I delight in our adult children and 4 grandchildren and others on the way. Having little ones again gives me fresh appreciation for what expectant parents are experiencing in this season of life. I continue to be awed by the miracle of pregnancy, birth, and the unfolding story of family life. As a midwife on our team, I am grateful to be part of building trusting relationships helping patients feel heard while imparting evidence-based information with shared decision making. I value each person and family's story of which I am privileged to be a part. I consider it a joy and honor to be a supportive presence with families as a UCLA midwife.