Community Supports
Patti Brinster-Watson CPM, LM, RN- Maya Abdominal Massage
LunaMayaHealing@gmail.com /413-386-3396
Patti is a mother of 4, Certified Professional Midwife (CPM), Licensed Midwife (LM), and has been an RN for over 30 years, assisting women and families with birth at the birthplace at BFMC in Greenfield MA.
Patti studied at Hands of Light School of Midwifery and apprenticed attending homebirths with River Valley Midwives for 4 years. She worked with the African Birth Collective in Senegal, West Africa. Patti also worked with Traditional Midwives and developed a course teaching in communities in Port-au-Prince and in the Northern Mountains of Haiti.
An important focus has been the study of the role of plants and bodywork in healing people. She studied with Sage L. Maurer at the Gaia School of Healing and Earth Education, where was trained in both the physical and spiritual medicines of plants.
Patti studied traditional Mayan healing and herbalism with Dr. Rosita Arvigo and practices the Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy, working with people supporting pregnancy from preconception through postpartum.
The Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Massage is an external, non-invasive technique using only hands to bring into alignment the reproductive organs and to improve blood flow to digestive organs.
From preconception to postpartum, these ancient Maya Massage techniques support the body’s natural healing capacity, assisting the vital flow of fluids and energy to bring the body to homeostasis. They assist with fertility, conception, and with the discomforts of pregnancy such as heartburn, varicosities, back ache, and sciatica.
They assist with aligning the uterus and helping the baby to an optimal position for birth. In labor the Maya Massage assists with birthing, providing comfort and relaxation, allowing the body to work efficiently and intuitively. In the postpartum period, the massage allows the body to heal and rest comfortably.
Kristen Bernard- midwife, RN, Lactation Consultant, Cranio-Sacral Therapist
CSTlactation@icloud.com Call or text 413-824-8829
Kristin began her practice and study of midwifery in England where she attended births both in hospital and at home. She joined River Valley Midwives in 1997 and partnered with Jharna until 2018. She has been an RN supporting birthing families in hospital as well for 28 years.
Kristen practices Cranio-Sacral Therapy with a specialty in the birthing person and babies, as well as a certified IBCLC experienced lactation consultant seeing families in the North Quabbin Area.
Amy Mager -DACM, Lic.Ac. -Acupuncturist and Chinese Herbalist
www.wellnesshousenorthampton.com
Amy is a homebirth mother of 6 and has supported women for over 35 years in pre-conception, pregnancy, labor and postpartum wellness. She has a full scope practice of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicines, and has trained and examined to become a fellow of the American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine.
Amy earned a doctorate in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine and Integrative Medicine in 2017 adding to her Masters of Science in Chinese Medicine. The heart of Amy’s practice is her faith in the body’s ability to heal itself. While symptoms provide feedback, Amy’s work is based on healing the whole person. Working to bring the meridian system into the dynamic balance that generates healing.
Janel Monet- Birth Rise
Janel is a Licensed Massage Therapist that has been providing birth/postpartum support to families in the Pioneer Valley for the past 9 years. Alongside their full spectrum doula practice, they've also created a comprehensive childbirth education course for birthing people across the gender spectrum. You can find out more about Janel and their services at www.birthrise.com
Jean Potter- Wildlight Doula Care
Jean is a mama of two and has given birth both in the home and in the hospital. When not doula-ing, she’s a serious homebody who loves reading and sewing!
Jean provides support in individualized birth preparation, labor support, and postpartum care customized to each family’s hopes and preferences. Compassionate, trauma-informed birth and postpartum support for all families including parents with anxiety, birthing and parenting after loss, and special spiritual and cultural needs.
Nephertiti Amen- Womb Wrapping
Instagram @YouAreSacredHere
Nephertiti is a Certified Holistic Health Practitioner, a homebirth mama and strong believer that a natural life is a happy life. When she isn’t playing with her little one, or working, she is laughing, creating and cooking up something yummy!
“It is so natural for us as women to give so much of ourselves in everything we do that we may not recognize that birth and the space after is an opportunity for us to give back to our beings through healing and love. The traditions of womb wrapping and vaginal steaming are practices that help us to focus on replenishing that which we have given and rebuild and restrengthen our bodies and selves as the divine feminine.” Visit her on Instagram @You AreSacredHere
Laura Fortin- Placental Encapsulation
Think of me as your placenta’s doula!
I will take great care in preparing your placenta in a very neat and efficient manner, with minimal waste, and I will always leave your kitchen cleaner than I found it! I have experienced first-hand, after both childbirth and miscarriage, how placenta preparations support and balance the mother's healing process. Since beginning this work, I have served over 500 families--many of them multiple times--from all over Massachusetts, Southern Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and New York.
It is my privilege to be part of your growing family's support team!
Julia Desmillones Moore- Steaming, Postpartum Support
www.moonbeamsteams.com and Instagram page @moonbeamsteams
Julia Demillones Moore is a home birth mama of two, an herbalist, postpartum planner and pelvic steam practitioner. Certified through the Peristeam Hydrotherapy Institute: She teaches people how to safely steam at home to support menstrual cycles as well as for labor preparation and postpartum healing.
Pelvic steaming is ancient womb technology that has been utilized by women and birthing people all over the globe. There are traditions of using steam to heal after giving birth in most parts of the world.
Julia also supports families in planning for their postpartum time. As much as birth is planned for, so should the time after birth. Rest, Support, and Care is necessary for newborn families, first time and beyond. Julia is currently training as a postpartum navigator with Kestrel Gates, author of Build Your Nest workbook. To connect with Julia visit her website www.moonbeamsteams.com and Instagram page @moonbeamsteams
Kalpana Devi- Tuning Life Counsel
Kalpana Devi is a holistic, transformational counsel guiding her clients to their discovery of inner awakening, fulfillment, and lasting peace. She’s also a relationship expert and supports individuals, couples, and families dealing with a wide range of issues including adjusting to life prenatal and postpartum, blended family dynamics, and guiding families to discover increased connection and ease. Kalpana has been married for 27 years, is a mother of 6 kids (4 born at home), and serves in leadership roles in various capacities in the arts, social justice, and community life. She is the creator of Tuning Life Counsel and is a teacher of divine embodiment leading you to freedom and joy!
To book a session: 413-687-1558 / TuningLifeCounsel@gmail.com