Michelle – In addition to being the owner and founder of Embracing Babies, is a Certified Postpartum Doula, Sleep Coach and Postpartum Doula Trainer. Michelle also writes educational articles for birth and postpartum magazines. Michelle’s past experience includes being a high profile, professional nanny for over 14 years. She is a member of ICEA (International Childbirth Education Association), and INA (International Nannies Assoc). She currently lives in Los Angeles, CA but travels to clientele both in and out of the country. Providing each family with her personal best care is her goal and leaving each home with you feeling empowered and educated is her passion.
Joni is a Certified Pospartum Doula & studying to be a Certified Lactation Counselor. When she comes into your home she will access what needs to be done as to give you time to rest and bond with your new baby(ies). She has over 28 years of experience in the field of child care and development. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. her career began as a Medical Assistant, working with many types of doctors. Pediatrics became her passion. She worked collecting blood samples from newborns at the hospital. She administered vaccinations, performed eye, hearing and allergy tests while working in a pediatric office. She takes classes to keep updated on early child care and development. She holds a certification as a pre-school teacher. She has worked as a day care manager, organizing the daily schedule of babies age 2 months through 2 years. She has knowledge and experience in breastfeeding difficulties and can guide you to have a successful breastfeeding relationship with your baby. She has been happily married for 33 years to a wonderful supportive man. She has one beautiful daughter, and a very energetic 4 year old grandson. Family is very important to her. She enjoys supporting families and their newborn babies. She falls in love with all the babies, and their families and they become apart of her life forever. She has found her calling in life, supporting families and giving them as much knowledge and wisdom as she possibly can. Her goal is to help each family begin their journey through parenthood with confidence, knowledge, patience and a lot of love.
Debbie Debbie has been an Advanced Doula and Midwife Assistant since completing the ACHI training program in 2003. Debbie is a wife and mother of 3 children who were born out of the hospital, assisted by a Midwife, and completely natural and drug free. Debbie believes in keeping birth as natural as possible, and having the support of a experienced, educated woman to give advice and guidance can make the birth process an experience of joy and empowerment for the whole family.
Rebecca has a background in Kinesiology, is a Licensced Sport Massage Therapist, and a Certified Reflexologist. Her own curiosity of how the mind and body connect led her to become an avid believer in the power of yoga and the desire to read as much as she could about how emotions affect the body. Combining all her passion and knowledge led her to her first client who successfully became pregnant after several treatments of fertility reflexology. Since becoming a mother she has wanted nothing more than to help other women become mothers. “Fertility Relexology” is a combination of where the mind and body meet on the feet through specific pressure points which connect to the key organs involved in reproduction! She is a proud provider of maternity massage pre and post natal as well.
Anastasia believes that children are a blessing from the Lord, and they should be cared for accordingly. Anastasia is mother to her lovely 3 year old daughter and is an Embracing Babies Doula. She loves educating families towards achieving their goals and helping them do so. Anastasia feels that helping the family get on a routine that is comfortable for both them and the baby will facilitate bonding and a cohesive family unit.
Melissa graduated from Hands On Healing Institute in Tujunga, California. She has practiced as a Certified Massage Therapist for over 6 years. She specializes in Swedish, Pregnancy Massage, and Deep Tissue. What makes Melissa stand out as a therapist is her respect for her clients. It is her belief to really listen to exactly what her client wants. She is blessed to have found HHI, which gave her the most excellent preparation and training in Los Angeles!
LaDrayia She really loves helping families prepare for parenthood, and tackling chores to lighten the load. She thanks God for each family that she is able to touch with love, warmth, and support. She has 11 years of experience in childcare and background in early childhood education, She is the eldest of 10 siblings 6 girls and 4 boys. She has both her doula and newborn care certifications and is soon training to become a midwife.
Mellie is a certified birth and postpartum doula and lactation educator. Her commitment as a doula is to ensure you have the birth you envision. Whether your path includes meditation, medication or both, you can count on the birthing experience to be what you design for you and your child. After spending 2 years volunteering in the Labor and Delivery Department at Cedars-Sinai, she understands the policies of hospitals and can work with them to advocate your delivery the way you choose it to be. The benefits of her role as a postpartum doula include successful breastfeeding, connective bonding with your baby, and management of daily life during the transition you will have in welcoming your new addition. Postpartum support will also allow you to nurture and care for yourself as you care for your newborn.
Kim began her career in fitness in 2006 after the birth of her daughter. She realized a long time enthusiasm for fitness, desire for professional independence and prior work experience could take her in a new direction. She found that direction first as a Group Fitness Instructor for Stroller Strides. Soon thereafter she began her own fitness business, purchasing Stroller Strides of Encino and Calabasas and eventually starting Kim Johnson Fitness. As her classes grew so did the need to branch out. Since 2007 she’s added a variety of services and classes to accommodate women and their families at all stages of life – *Private Training, Family Classes, Fit for Baby (pre natal classes) and Body Back (post natal classes). She believes that fitness should be fun and empowering. There is an inner athlete in all of us and with encouragement and guidance everyone can achieve the level of fitness that they’ve always wanted! Her structured classes, individual and small group trainings are designed to accommodate every level of fitness and can be customized to best suit your needs.
*All classes and training are taught along the most recent ACOG guidelines by Nationally Certified Fitness Instructors
Huli All of her training and experience allows her to enrich the lives of families that she works with. She is the mom of four children who were born naturally and without drugs. She successfully breastfed all of them for at least two years. She is a certified pre-natal and post partum yoga teacher in “The Khalsa Way” method. She received her pre-natal and post partum doula training at The Sanctuary in West L.A. She had her own cooking school and catering business and she now works as a Personal Chef. She looks forward to giving you and your family all of the support you deserve at this most meaningful time in your life.
Holly has been helping deliver babies since 2008 in the hospital, birthing center and home settings. As an ACHI Certified Advanced Doula, she acts as a Doula/Labor Coach/Midwives Assistant and a mother/baby advocate. Her intentions are to provide the best and most enjoyable birth possible for mother and family involved. She tries her best to keep things as light hearted and focused for the mother as possible. She truly enjoys coaching the mother during her labor and giving her the strength she needs to push through it. Holly is qualified to keep the mother and family informed of the labor progress and providing the family with knowledge and information that can be used to make informed decisions. She is always looking for the best options out there for mother and baby. Holly believes that birth should be as natural as possible. She believes in the woman’s body and the things it was made to do. Her beliefs on mental and physical support during labor are that “if you have the right kind of support, you can concur anything.” If the patient wishes or has to have a hospital delivery, there should always be a birth plan typed out ahead of time so she and the parents can discuss it with hospital staff to make sure her wishes are seen through.
Alissa is a CAPPA certified postpartum doula. She is a mom of four. She has experience with both twins & preemies. As a postpartum doula, She will provide nonjudgmental emotional and physical support, education, companionship and encouragement to you in your home, in the first weeks/months following the birth of your baby. Her goal during this time is to educate and support you in order to help ease your transition into parenthood and to make it as smooth as possible for your family. She will generally work nights to allow you as new parents some well-deserved & much needed worry free sleep while knowing your baby is being well cared for, but is also available days & 24 hour shifts if needed. She will draw on her knowledge and experience to educate and support you as needed during this time.
Ally is an experienced babysitter who children just love! She is certified in CPR and First Aid and brings a lot of fun to your home while you get away for a date night!
Selma‘s personal care philosophy is simple. She wants to be a calming presence in the homes she works in. Her job is to offer support services and education to the mother and partner after the birth of their child. This is includes but is not limited to lactation education, circumcision care, baby hygiene skills, swaddling and soothing techniques and emotional support. When she leaves, the parents will have the tools or referrals needed to take care of their infant. After 20 years of childcare experience, working with newborn singletons, multiples and premature infants, it allows her to bring those years of experience into her career as a Newborn Care Specialist, Postpartum Doula and a Lactation Educator Counselor. She is friendly and easy going. She tends to blend naturally and quickly. She’s capable of full charge infant care. She’s aware of a multitude of health benefits associated with breastfeeding (for both mother and baby) and thus encourages breastfeeding to mothers that want to nurse. She recognizes that not all women can breastfeed. In fact, some of her clients breastfeed and formula feed their babies simultaneously. Her hobbies include cooking, traveling, dancing, gardening. She also loves spending time with her family.Joan-As a mom and grandmother with years of educating and supporting new parents, Joan brings over 45 years of experience to the role of Postpartum Doula. She provides a nurturing touch to families, easing the transition after birth by providing information, assistance, and resources. leading to greater confidence and assurance. Her goal is for the parents to come to a firm belief that they are the best MOM and DAD for their infant. Joan transitioned into being a Postpartum Doula in 2006 and was certified by DONA International in 2008.

 

Joni L is a DONA certified doula who worked for many years in the non-profit sector, but found her passion in the world of birth in 2007. Since then, Joni has had the honor of supporting over 150 couples in various types of childbirth; from natural to medicated, and from home to hospital. Joni is the married mother of two children who strives to protect the intimacy of birth between the laboring mom and her partner.  With her warm humor and calm presence, Joni provides informative assistance, emotional support and physical comfort measures to help birthing women and their partners feel as comfortable and relaxed during the birth of their baby as possible.

 

Virginie has an encompassing, loving and healing energy. With French joie-de-vivre, she’s completely there for you as you enter your new life as a mother and a parent. A nurturing healer by profession, she lovingly empower and guide mothers.  Virginie’s professionalism also builds on a career in opera performance and recordings.CPR and First Aid trained, and member of La Leche League, she is in the process of being certified as a lactation counselor and a Happiest Baby Educator. She offers prenatal breast-feeding coaching, one-on-one sessions, and she facilitates support groups for underprivileged parents. Having studied Tibetan meditation for over fifteen years, she integrates wisdom and compassion in everyday life, providing a consistent, non-judgmental presence. Self-educated in the effective RIE Parenting method, she tunes in to provide gentle observations which encourages non-violent communication and basic trust, a safe environment for babies and toddlers to explore the world.Time spent with Virginie will assist you and you partner in the care for your baby(ies), encouragement with newborn(s’) feeding, family adjustment, healthy meal preparation, nursery set-up and light household tidying.

 

Alexandra is a teacher and woman’s advocate.  In her yoga sessions she is playful and compassionate, devoted to helping women enjoy the experience of pregnancy and motherhood. She guides women to trust in the wisdom of their bodies, to get educated, and offers a safe and supportive environment to discuss a variety of mommy related topics such as nutrition, creating a birth plan, and breastfeeding. Her approach empowers women to trust themselves and their instincts; affirming they are making the right decisions for their bodies, babies, and families.  Alexandra’s personal six year journey to motherhood has also given her a heart and unique ability to support women who are trying to conceive.  Alexandra will embrace you on your unique journey to motherhood. Get ready to receive physical, emotional, and informational support with life-changing results!

 

Alison V. is a certified Postpartum Doula through DONA International. Growing up in Minneapolis, MN, next door to a home daycare provider, Alison developed an affinity for newborns and toddlers at a very early age. With over 10 years of childcare experience, Alison knows how difficult and overwhelming it can be to bring home and implement a newborn into your life. With a loving heart and helping hands, Alison offers evidence-based care and empowering postpartum support to new mothers, as well as all members of the family. She looks forward to loving and supporting you into your new role as a parent.

 

Caitlin acquired Birth Doula Certification in 1994 from the second only training by “Doula Birth Partners of L. A.” Soon after, she went to The Farm for in-depth studies with Ina May Gaskin and The Farm Midwives, returning ten years later for training in Midwifery Assistance. Her book, ‘The Tao of Birthing(r)’ has been endorsed by birth revolutionaries such as Midwife, Naoli Vinaver, Physician, Marsden Wagner, and Ph.D./Psychologist, David B. Chamberlain. She assisted Pam England and her Birthing From Within Trainings in San Francisco and Santa Fe. In addition to Birth Doula Services, Caitlin offers Clinical Hypnotherapy, HypnoBirthing Classes and Massage Therapy, (since 1988). She combines all of the above disciplines to support conception, birthing and the postnatal months. Caitlin is committed to creating change in birth consciousness, which includes changing the perception that birth is and should be a medical event. She envisions a more peaceful world, made possible through Mamababy-centered birthing, with focused awareness on the profound ripple effect of immediate Mama-baby bonding. Caitlin holds a Master’s Degree in Spiritual Psychology.

Natalia E Natalia is an Advanced Newborn Care Specialist certified, along with others, The
Happiest Baby Education Association.  She
specializes in advanced care of newborn singletons and multiples. Twins and
triplets require extra special care and she is well experienced in assisting with many of the common challenges faced after delivery. She is trained to assist with such issues as proper breast feeding methods, explaining crying and
establishing daily routines.

kristenKristin has over 10 years of infant and child care experience. She has worked with ages ranging from newborn to 11 years old and works hard to provide exceptional care for the families she works with. She enjoys coming alongside the parents to provide care that best meets the needs of the family. Helping create a routine/schedule is a great way to make the whole family feel at ease during this new and exciting time. She has taken the ICEA Doula workshop and is also first aid and CPR certified for adult, child and infant.

*Photo Courtesy of Charles Phillip Valerio