About Angelica
Photo by Susan Lomuto
“An agent of change.”
This is how I was described during my doula training by Penny Simkin, founder of DONA International, and author of many of the foundational books on childbirth education.
To me, being a doula is nothing short of a calling, and I do aspire to change the birthing world here in the US to one that is much more Mother–Baby friendly and safe, one beautiful birth at a time.
I’m a native Swede who fell in love with New York City over twenty years ago, and never looked back. For over a decade, I have been a resident of Sunnyside, Queens, and I love living here. The community is incredible.
In addition to being a wife and mother to two wonderful children, most importantly for this work, I am a fierce advocate that birth is a journey to power, and an experience that can be shaped, in large part, by the supportive people around you. These caregivers (midwives, nurses, doctors, doulas, and health care workers) carry within them the compassion to help the birth person see that they are the perfect person to do the work of birthing their child! I consider it nothing short of a miracle, and feel it is an honor to be able to support anyone in the most important moment in their lives.
Headshot by @nadialeonphotography
Methods and Philosophy
I am particularly drawn to the idea of re-shaping a woman's mindset ahead of birth from one of fear/trepidation, to one of inherent belief in their own body and its’ capabilities. I also love the comfort measures of touch, encouragement, respect, water immersion, and movement (especially positions that facilitate baby's descent in the pelvis) for labor progress. The holy grail of labor support for me are the Three R’s of Rhythm, Relaxation, and Ritual.
If I could choose one word as the key to all things labor and birth, it would be "context." The longer I do this, the more I respect that no two births are alike, and that the contexts surrounding your labor, your choice of provider and birth location, your wishes for your birth, and your medical, cultural, and personal background all create an entirely unique set of contexts. These contexts are what create the backdrop for me to provide the best birth experience for you - shifting quickly between different kinds of support as needed, reading the room both emotionally and clinically, and partnering in communication so that you and your partner (if applicable) feel safe, informed, and in control of the choices you are making.
Besides my education and training, I bring with me birth stories and experiences from friends, nurses, physicians, and midwives around several different countries in the world, as well as other cities within the US. I firmly believe that while the work that I do must adhere to the policies of the city where we live, we are all shaped by a collection of experiences, and can learn from each other. So I take these birth experiences with me in the room in the hopes that slowly, we can change the practices here in the US to be more Parent-Baby friendly.
I am also a founding member of the Sunnyside Doula Collective, and work with an exceptionally dedicated team of Doulas within that coop.
My job – my calling – is for you to walk away feeling you were respected, felt in control of the aspects of your birth that were within your control, and can carry with you the memories of a labor and birth that you feel good about.
My Doula Family Album
