Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
I have been fascinated by pregnancy and birth since the age of eight, when my neighbor was pregnant and came home one day with a baby. When I was in high school, a friend became pregnant and I was a little closer to the whole process, but the tipping point came when I had my first baby. My provider had assured me that she would be there for me, but wasn’t. I was treated poorly by the various nurses and doctors who managed my labor, and I left the hospital feeling bewildered but focused on a new goal. Physiologically, the birth couldn’t have been more ideal. I was well prepared by the iconic Judy Chapman and her prepared childbirth class, and my body was amazing. I wrote out my birth story within a couple of days so as not to lose sight of the details, and I read it every year on my son’s birthday. While I was still nursing my first child I undertook training to become a doula. I knew I wanted to be a midwife, but with a young son of my own, I was not ready at that time for the huge educational commitment. I was a practicing doula for 4 years before I was ready to take the next step. I wanted the chance to make more of a difference. I knew that the hospital nurses could really make or break a birth, as they, unfortunately, had with mine. Becoming a labor and delivery nurse was my chance to make other women’s birth experiences more positive. Before going to nursing school I had a second son- this time in the care of loving midwives at the Hollywood Birth Center on Sunset Boulevard.
I talked my sister into birthing there too and it was an amazing experience for both of us within months of each other! After an immersive two year program, I became a registered nurse at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in their labor and delivery department, where I had the opportunity to honor the wishes of the pregnant person and communicate with their doctors in a way that ensured mutual respect all around. I loved my job so much that after my next birth- twin boys birthed in the care of a wonderfully attentive and fully present doctor at my own hospital- I chose to remain at Cedars-Sinai for another 10 years.
In 2015, I decided to take the next step and become a certified nurse-midwife in order to truly be equipped to offer a full range of choice with birth options. I began to assist midwives at homebirths and then embarked on the final leg of my journey to midwifery, the 3-year program at Frontier Nursing University. As much as I enjoy supporting families to birth at home, I saw there was a need in our community for a private hospital based midwife practice. I decided to be the change I wanted to see and applied for hospital privileges. I am thrilled to be a midwife and so honored to be able to continue to serve women in the setting of their choice, whether it be their home, or one of the best hospitals in Los Angeles.
My education at Frontier Nursing University instilled in me a strong respect for and belief in evidence-based practice (EBP); however, I am also committed to honoring a woman’s intuition, including my own while treating each person (and family) as an individual as well as the traditional art of midwifery that is learned through working together and story-telling among midwives..
It is my desire to merge these seemingly conflicting concepts in order to provide safe, personal care while upholding the honor of the noble profession of midwifery and those wise women who paved the way for me to practice, especially my cherished mentor, the late Debbie Frank.
As much as I love to read, cook and bake for my family and friends, hike, and entertain our giant golden doodle Royce, I mostly spend my personal time with my newest son Olivier born at home in 2021 and my teenagers. Also, I love having playdates with other midwives and families with whom I have become close after attending their births.
I have always had an interest in the sciences and biology. I still remember how fascinated I was in 5th grade when we watched the school films that explained discussed the oncoming age of puberty and menstruation. All through high school whenever I watched a movie or video that depicted childbirth, I would well-up at the beauty and magic that surrounds this moment.
When I was pregnant with my son, I sought midwifery care. At that time, I didn’t really know what midwifery care meant. I was young and was looking through the phone book for providers in my area, and I came across a midwifery group that took my insurance. My mom would later tell me she was hesitant about it in the beginning but was so impressed with the way they took care of me during my labor and birth.
A few years later I become a surrogate for a couple that could not have their own child. Through that process I saw what it was like through someone else’s eyes the struggle of navigating healthcare decisions and dealing with IVF. I felt throughout that not only was I the one being cared for but was part of the team that was able to make this family complete. The care I received by nurses, doctors, and midwives through my pregnancies was exceptional. That is what set the standard for me for what kind of nurse and midwife I wanted to be. Education and choice were always center stage and making me feel comfortable and safe every step of my labor, birth, and recovery was clearly a priority. These experiences combined and I knew where I wanted my journey to continue into nursing.
Once I started nursing school, whenever we would share what kind of nurse specialty we want to go into, I would always say I want to be a midwife. When I finally got my opportunity to be a labor and delivery nurse at Cedars-Sinai, it was a dream come true. Simultaneously, I worked as a birth assistant at Del Mar Birth Center. I got to see all types of births, from home to water, epidural and no epidural. I learned so much about different ways to help support labor and birth, and ways to help promote a vaginal birth while being respectful of the labor process and birth desires.
It was at Cedars-Sinai where I met Naomi and Lilit and learned that while I was in process of applying to Frontier Nursing University, they were about to start clinicals. We got to work together as nurses, peers, and as fellow students. They had such great advice for me as I worked through my midwife program, and I was even completed some clinical days with them where they were officially my teachers.
It has been 10 years since I graduated from nursing school in 2012, full of adventures, learning, and making my path to becoming a midwife. My husband, son, mother, and our fur baby Murphy have been great sources of support every step of the way. It is with great excitement and honor to be starting this wonderful work in 2022 as part of the Los Angeles Midwives team.
Los Angeles Midwives
1445 North Gardner Street, Los Angeles, California 90046
P: (310) 494 - 6911 * F: (424) 208 - 1259