Anne Wallen, the Director and Founding Mother of MaternityWise International, is a trailblazer in the field of women’s health, particularly in the areas of maternity care and maternal health education. With over three decades of experience, Anne has made a significant impact in the global maternal health landscape by empowering birth professionals and advocating for transformative changes that prioritize the health and safety of women, especially those at the greatest risk.
Throughout her career, Anne has continuously advocated for a shift in how the world views female health, childbirth, and the medical system surrounding these experiences. As a leading voice in maternal health, Anne’s approach is rooted in an unwavering belief that trusting the human body and its natural processes leads to better outcomes, both for mothers and their children. “The world has been peopled, and we had better outcomes when we trusted the bodies that accomplished it vs interfering and causing trouble that we then have to pay to fix,” she says.
In addition to her direct work in maternity care, Anne educates and empowers professionals in more than 20 countries and contributes to maternal health curriculums globally. Her impact can be seen in the legacy she is building through her role as a speaker, mentor, and leader in the field of women’s health. Anne’s approach is based on understanding not only the anatomy and physiology of childbirth but also the psychology of vulnerability and safety—factors that deeply influence the entire mothering experience. With this unique combination of education, experience, and personal insight—having birthed six of her own children—Anne offers a profound perspective that blends the clinical with the deeply personal.
Anne’s influence goes far beyond her professional work. As an experienced public speaker, she has appeared in a wide variety of forums, including conferences, radio and television shows, blogs, podcasts, and university classes on women’s studies. Her thought leadership also extends to her written work and contributions to publications like BRAINZ Magazine, where she continues to challenge prevailing norms around women’s health, medicalization, and the profitization of female bodies.
Anne’s message highlights the power dynamics within the predominantly white male medical system, which profits from women’s biological processes without their informed consent or compensation. She asks, “Are you ready to have a conversation around the predominantly white male medical system profiting off of female biological matter without their consent or any form of compensation?” This provocative question underscores the issues Anne is dedicated to exposing and addressing throughout her career.
MaternityWise International, co-founded by Anne, is dedicated to reshaping the conversation surrounding maternal health. The organization offers global education to birth professionals, empowering them to support women and families in meaningful ways that respect autonomy and prioritize health outcomes. This focus on trust, knowledge, and respect is what makes MaternityWise International stand apart from other organizations in the field.
Anne’s work is not just about raising awareness—it’s about creating lasting change in how society views and handles female health and childbirth. She continues to inspire professionals and families worldwide to adopt new approaches to care that are not only informed by science but are also empathetic to the lived experiences of diverse populations of women.
For more information about Anne Wallen, MaternityWise International, and their global impact, visit www.maternitywise.com. You can also follow them on Instagram at @maternitywise.
About Anne Wallen
Anne Wallen is the Director and Founding Mother of MaternityWise International. A respected figure in women’s health, she has over 30 years of experience and is a leading advocate for global change in maternity care. Anne continues to educate, inspire, and empower birth professionals around the world through her impactful work as a mentor, speaker, and contributor to global curricula.
