RESOURCES
Trusted friends and partners committed to creating an authentic, achievable & nourishing self care practice for an optimal pregnancy, birth, postpartum and parenting life.
It Takes a Village
As a client of Comadres, we will provide individualized referrals that are inclusive and perhaps broader than this list in order to assist you in feeling nurtured, safe & healthy throughout the perinatal period and the life long journey of parenting. Whatever additional support you need or desire throughout your pregnancy, we are committed to helping you create the most authentic, achievable & nourishing self care practice for an optimal pregnancy, birth, postpartum and parenting life.
Most practitioners listed are ones I have had personal experience with either through the families I care for or as a client, friend or ally. If you would like to be listed here, please contact us.
Referral Services
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a healing art that originated in China thousands of years ago. Traditional Chinese medicine views the body as two opposing forces, yin and yang. When an imbalance occurs between the two, it blocks what Chinese medicine refers to as qi (pronounced CHEE), or the flow of vital energy along internal pathways (known as meridians) in our bodies. During acupuncture, a practitioner inserts hair-thin needles through the skin at points along the meridians to correct imbalances and restore health. Many people credit acupuncture for easing a wide range of pregnancy symptoms including heartburn, swelling in the legs, constipation, carpal tunnel syndrome, sciatica and more.
- Jennifer Monin Acupuncture – Sonoma Co.
- Redwood Needle Acupuncture – Sonoma Co.
- Acupuncture Mama – Sonoma Co.
- Sebastopol Community – Sonoma Co.
- The Luma Center – Sonoma
- Laurel Brody – Sonoma Co.
- Between Heaven and Earth – Marin Co.
- Linda Gruber – Marin Co.
- Nancy Carol – Sonoma Co.
- Kate McCarthy – Alameda Co.
Ayurvedic Massage & Healing
According to Ayurveda, pregnancy and delivery can be the most rejuvenating experience of a women’s life, during which every cell of the mother’s body can be transformed. Through massage, diet & multiple types of self care strategies, Ayurveda can enhance the optimization of pregnancy, delivery and postpartum.
- Deana Dennard – Sonoma – 707-280-6502
- DeAnna Batdorff – Sonoma Co. – Dhyana Center
Birth Spirituality & Healing Coaching
This powerful modality that incorporates the practices of community ceremony, resourcing with somatic experiencing, breath work, energy, meditation and visualizations to address birth trauma effectively and in nourishing and safe ways was developed by Gena McCarthy. I am honored to have taken her certification and to be incorporating this work into my midwifery care.
- Gena McCarthy
- Katie Sutherland
- Brooke Radloff – Sonoma Co.
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care helps every aspect of pregnancy, preparing for a smooth birth and easier postpartum. Read about how chiropractic can help with your pregnance and birth.
- Emily & Majid Zeinal – Sonoma Co.
- Acorn Chiropractic Club – Sonoma Co.
- Serendipity – Sonoma Co.
- Soul Shine Chiro – Sonoma Co.
Cranial Sacral Therapy
Craniosacral therapy is a gentle, non-invasive and powerful hands-on therapy that benefits whole body health, treats a multitude of conditions and is effective for infants, children and adults. Though the craniosacral therapist uses a very light touch, the bodywork is deeply transformative and healing—physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. The soft, hands-on bodywork techniques of the craniosacral therapist are non-invasive and serve to relieve pain and dysfunction in the body. The body’s physical release of myofascial restriction facilitates the innate potential for increased wellness and a peaceful consciousness.
- Gary Peterson – Sonoma Co. & Marin Co.
- Chantia Smith – East Bay
- Dana Knerr – Marin Co.
- Zabeth Martinet-Kim – Alameda Co.
Depth Hypnosis
Depth Hypnosis was created in the mid nineteen nineties by Isa Gucciardi, PhD. Since then it has grown into a successful therapeutic modality with Depth Hypnosis Practitioners practicing throughout the world. People are drawn to work with Depth Hypnosis both personally and professionally due to its insistence on the integrity of the practitioner as well as its emphasis on the empowerment of the participant. People have found Depth Hypnosis to be a fast and effective modality that is non-dogmatic and blends well with other therapies and spiritual practices.
- Rachel Yellin – Marin Co. & San Francisco
- Alexis Cohen – LA/Skype
- Sandra Lloyd – San Francisco
- Sacred Stream Center – East Bay, San Francisco, & Online
Mayan Abdominal Massage
The Arvigo® techniques were developed by Dr. Rosita Arvigo, DN. based on her apprenticeship with the Maya healer Don Elijio Panti and her own education, training, and research as a naprapathic physician. Rosita’s lifework, THE ARVIGO TECHNIQUES OF MAYA ABDOMINAL THERAPY®, help to restore the body to its natural balance by correcting the position of organs that have shifted and restrict the flow of blood, lymph, nerve and chi energy. Today the Arvigo® techniques are employed by Arvigo® Practitioners across the globe bringing the benefits of natural healing to their clients.
- Victoria Barrett – Sonoma Co.
- Kate Coletti – Sonoma Co.
- Samantha Corsiglia – San Francisco
- Kate McCarthy – Alameda Co.
Pregnancy Massage
Massage therapy during pregnancy is a wonderful complementary choice for prenatal care. It is a healthy way to reduce stress and promote overall wellness. Massage relieves many of the normal discomforts experienced during pregnancy, such as backaches, stiff neck, leg cramps, headaches and edema (or swelling). And it just plain feels good!
- Mo Washburn – Sonoma Co.
- Christina Del Gallo – Marin Co.
- Patti Mills – Marin Co.
- Ananda Fierro – Sonoma – 707-953-3838
- Zabeth Martinet-Kim – Alameda Co.
- Julia Reid – Sonoma Co.
- Anastasia Lattanand, LMT – San Francisco & East Bay
Yoga (Prenatal & Postpartum)
Prenatal yoga, the deliberate weaving together of yoga and childbirth preparation, opens the door for women to reclaim their physical, mental, and emotional power and receptivity during the birth process. “Somehow, as women, we think we will automatically know how to give birth,” says Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa, co–founder and director of Golden Bridge Yoga in Los Angeles, who has taught prenatal yoga for nearly 30 years. “But we are so detached from our instinctual selves that sometimes we need to be reminded of what we already know.”
- Devorah Blum – Sonoma Co.
- Kate Coletti – Sonoma Co.
- Pom Yoga – Marin Co.
- Lisa Flato – Sonoma Co. & Marin Co.
- Britt Fohrman – San Francisco & Marin Co.
- Jane Austin – San Francisco
Birth Doulas
There are only good reasons to hire a doula, especially if birthing in the hospital, but doula’s are valuable in all birth settings. Comadres loves working with doulas. Read more about the benefits of hiring a doula.
- Patti Mills – Marin Co.
- Sonoma County Doula’s – Sonoma Co.
- Mollee Franklin – Marin Co.
- Lenaya Pongan – San Francisco
- Britt Fohrman – San Francisco & Marin Co.
- Better Birth Sonoma – Sonoma Co.
Placenta Encapsulation
”Giving…placenta to a new mother following birth has become standard protocol among a growing number of midwives in the United States. By nourishing the blood and fluids, endocrine glands and organs, Placenta will …reduce or stop postpartum bleeding, speed up recovery, boost energy and relieve postpartum blues.” Homes, Peter. 1993. Jade Remedies, Snow Lotus Press, 352
- Morgan Conway-O’Neill – Sonoma Co.
- Blissful Birth Doula
Baby Massage
- Kari Marble – San Francisco
- Love Based Birth – Online
Child Birth Education & Prep
- Kate Coletti – Sonoma Co.
- Kelly Gray – Sonoma Co.
LGBTQI Specific
- Maia Midwifery Online, East Bay & By Request
Home Birth Focused
Hypnocentered Birthing
- Alicia Munch – Sonoma Co.
- Blue Lotus – Sonoma Co.
Therapists
These are all women I have worked with professionally and personally and highly recommend as a guide for any support you need in the therapeutic realm. All are skillful in somatics and the perinatal period.
- Gena McCarthy – Contra Costa Co.
- Rima Roberts – Sonoma Co. (LGBTQI)
- Shanna Butler – Sonoma Co. (LGBTQI)
Herbal & Homeopathic Resources
- Avena Botanicals – Online
- HerbLore – Online
- WishGarden – Online
- Taproot Medicine – Online
- Stinging Nettle – Sonoma Co.
- The Wise Woman Way – Online
- Rosemary’s Garden – Sonoma Co.
Holistic Pelvic Care
Holistic Pelvic CareTM is a combination of physical and energetic tools developed by Tami Kent, M.S. Physical Therapy, and designed to assess and then restore balance to the pelvic space of the female body. Holistic Pelvic Care is for women of all ages to address pelvic symptoms or enhance general wellness. The practitioners listed below practice physical therapy for pelvic dysfunctions, pregnancy and postpartum wellness in a holistic manner.
- Liz Miracle – San Francisco
- LizAnne Pastore – Sonoma Co.
- Alicia Willoughby – Marin Co.
- Leslie Stager – Nevada
- Chantia Smith – East Bay
- Kate Coletti – Sonoma Co.
Healing Diastasis Recti Separation
During pregnancy, the growing uterus stretches the muscles in the abdomen. This can cause the two large parallel bands of muscles that meet in the middle of the abdomen to separate — a condition called diastasis recti or diastasis recti abdominis. Diastasis recti might cause a bulge in the middle of the abdomen where the two muscles separate. Read More Here. Comadres is seeing more and more of this condition in our clients and we are committed to helping you heal and prosper. Here are a few programs that Comadres clients recommend. One of these in combination with Holistic Pelvic Care seems to be the most effective.
- Katie Bowman – Online
- Sarah Ellis Duvall – Online
- Mama Strong – Online
- Luna Mother Co. – Marin Co. & Online
Postpartum Doulas
The early postpartum period is referred to as the Fourth Trimester and is a sacred time of integration, deep learning and crazy love. Comadres is dedicated to helping our clients honor this time in a real and authentic way including hiring a postpartum doula. The services and skills offered by postpartum doulas vary greatly. Some will be highly trained and certified in various skills including: lactation consulting, postpartum massage, infant massage, infant CPR, swaddling, baby wearing, cloth diapering and elimination communication, nutrition and meal preparation. Others will serve primarily as an extra set of hands and help mom or new parent have quiet time to nap, be validated in their transformation and support in caring for themselves. Most are a combination of all of the above.
- O’Nell Starkey – Sonoma Co.
- Birth Realm: A Postpartum Care Co. – Sonoma Co.
- Sydney Bliss – Marin Co.
Breast Feeding
As your midwives, we will be your main support in navigating the journey of breast/chest feeding. Here are additional resources we find very supportive in making your breast/chest feeding experience optimal and dare we say even fun!
Home Birth & Midwifery Studies
- Citizens for Midwifery – is the only national consumer-based group promoting the Midwives Model of Care! CfM works to provide information and resources that promote the local midwife, as well as midwives and midwifery care across the country! Great place for research studies, articles and education on the benefits of midwifery care and out-of-hospital birth.
- Largest Study Ever in the US on Planned Homebirth –
The results of this study, and those of its companion article about the development of the MANA Stats registry, confirm the safety and overwhelmingly positive health benefits for low-risk mothers, birthing people and babies who choose to birth at home with a midwife. At every step of the way, midwives are providing excellent care. This study enables families, providers and policymakers to have a transparent look at the risks and benefits of planned home birth as well as the health benefits of normal physiologic birth.