“I feel as if I have lived many different lives, all of them leading to doula work.”
I was lead to birthwork through my unwavering belief that we have ourselves and each other in order to create a better world. Each of us contains a unique set of skills and knowledge that allows us to rely on each other, to keep each other safe, and to come home to. Being a doula is serving my part in this world I hope we can continue to build together.
I believe pregnancy, birth, and postpartum are incredibly special times in a person’s life, and what an honor it is to be accepted into one’s unique experience of having a baby. A mother and parent’s responsibility is to care for and to teach their baby, but often those very needs are not provided for them when they need it most. My goal as your doula is to center the autonomy, intution, and voice of the mother and to work in tandem with her needs. My doula philosophy is if I can center mom and her wellbeing, she will be able to best support her baby.
Gracias por la luz, or “thank you for the light” is borne from the strong and grounded, yet gentle nature of my maternal grandmother, Luz. The name comes from the light we all have within to do good onto others and emphasizes how my practice is grounded in gratitude for all families I am lucky enough to work and share space with.
Credentials:
Full Spectrum Doula Training, Ancient Song Doula Services
Postpartum + Overnight Doula, NYC Birth Village
95+ hours of Lactation Specific Education, GOLD Academy
Spring Doula Mentorship Program, NYC Birth Village
Intimate Partner Violence for Doulas, Ancient Song Doula Services
Infant and Child CPR Certification, American Red Cross
Childbirth Education I & II, Ancient Song Doula Services
Lactation Basics for Doulas, Manhattan Birth
Meet Your Doula: Breanna
I feel as if I have lived many different lives, all of them leading to doula work. I believe some of my first steps to walking my path as a doula were serving as a garden educator at a dual immersion Spanish language school in the Mission District of San Francisco. Here not only was I able to provide hands on garden education to every student in the school, I was able to help weave the garden into the framework of the school community. From having parents co teach lessons, to community workdays, to garden club, and interactive cooking classes, I aimed to have every community member feel welcome. In this role is where I unearthed a love for working with children + families and to share my knowledge with them.
Working in the public education system, I found myself longing for something where I could work more personally with families. And so began the evolution of considering myself to be a birthworker.
When not running around doing doula work, I am up high wrapped in silks as an aerialist, volunteering at a community farm, embroidering in bed, or finding the perfect recipe for a citrusy dessert.