About
At Birth by Mica, our mission is to support bay area families by helping them tap into their innate strength and make informed decisions through advocacy, comprehensive education, and purposeful movement.
Lactation Education Classes
Learn how to prepare for the early days of feeding a newborn. Our prenatal lactation education classes equip you with practical skills and knowledge to build a strong foundation for breastfeeding. Let’s Get Milky! classes provide insight into the physiology of human milk production, how to identify a strong latch, hand expressing colostrum, offer the opportunity to practice various breastfeeding positions, and learn about baby-led feeding positions, ensuring you and your support person feel confident and prepared. Partners are encouraged to attend.
Birth Doula Support Packages
Discover the perfect Birth Doula package tailored to your family's unique needs. Our journey together starts by scheduling a complimentary virtual or in-person meeting, where you can address your questions, explore your birth vision, and outline your desired labor support, setting the stage for a personalized and supportive birth experience. Labor support packages include access to either the BRM® online prenatal labor preparation and/or postpartum recovery courses.
Evidence-Based Resources
Navigate your birth journey with confidence using evidence-based resources to help you make informed decisions. From preparing for conversations with your care provider and developing your birth plan to understanding common interventions and medical practices, Michelle equips you with the tools to advocate for yourself, protect physiology and feel connected to your decisions. Check out Evidence Based Resources for parents here
Can working with a Doula improve birth outcomes? Studies showed that doula support is linked with better birth outcomes, such as fewer cesarean births and premature deliveries, and shorter lengths of labor. Additionally, the emotional support provided by doulas is associated with less anxiety and stress in birthing mothers.
Join Us at Birth by Mica
Join Michelle’s group lactation classes to gain valuable knowledge and hands-on experience. Michelle is also present at local events to provide guidance and support. Check out our upcoming events and activities.
Upcoming Events: Stay updated on where Michelle will be next. Don't miss the chance to connect with her at local events.
Schedule Your Free Consultation & Lactation Classes Here.
Understanding your birth values and trusting your intuition are vital. Michelle helps you develop advocacy skills and ensure alignment with your provider. Using evidence-based information from trusted sources, you'll confidently navigate interventions and medical practices.
Early advocacy aligns your expectations with your healthcare provider and prepares your birth team to protect your birth vision.
Advocacy & Birth Values
Teamwork Makes the (Birth) Dream Work!
FAQs
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A Birth Doula is a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to a birthing person before, during, and shortly after childbirth. Birth Doulas help families feel empowered to advocate for the birth they desire, make informed decisions throughout pregnancy and in labor, and provide a safe space to process emotions.
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Hiring a Birth Doula can lead to a more positive birth experience. Studies have shown that having a Birth Doula can reduce the likelihood of needing pain relief medication, shorten labor, and decrease the chances of requiring a cesarean section. Doulas also provide emotional reassurance, practical advice, and physical comfort measures.
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At Birth by Mica, I offer comprehensive Birth Doula packages that include in-person and virtual prenatal labor prep visits, continuous support during labor, emotional support and postpartum follow-up. My services also include prenatal alignment education, lactation education, and support, as well as guidance on comfort measures and advocacy during birth. Learn more about our services.
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Prenatal alignment and preparation help optimize your body for labor and birth. It improves mobility and range of motion, which can help to create space in the pelvis and help you learn how to respond to what you are feeling in your own body. This type of preparation can lead to a smoother labor process. Learning and practicing specific movements can ease pregnancy discomforts and prepare you and your partner to be equipped to feel prepared throughout labor and work together as a team.
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Yes, I support all types of births including home births, birth center births, hospital births, epidurals, no epidurals, belly births (cesarean births), and inductions. My goal is to help you feel confident and empowered; no matter what type of birth you choose.
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Yes, back-up doula support is included with all birth support packages.
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To get started, you can schedule a complimentary in-person or virtual meeting to discuss any initial questions you may have, your birth vision, desired labor support, and see if we are a good fit. Contact me via email with any specific questions or or schedule your consultation directly
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As a CAPPA-trained Lactation Educator and Nursing Mothers Counsel Volunteer, I have developed a curriculum which provides prenatal lactation education to help you prepare for breastfeeding before birth, understand how to hand express milk, identify a good latch, and troubleshoot common breastfeeding concerns. We can also go over any breast pumps you may already own. Postpartum support includes in-home and virtual visits to ensure you and your baby are off to a good start with breastfeeding. Learn more about lactation support.
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I proudly serve birthing families in the following service area: Peninsula (San Carlos, Menlo Park, Redwood City, East Palo Alto, Palo Alto, Los Altos), South Bay Area (Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Milpitas, Santa Clara, San Jose, Los Gatos), and parts of the southern East Bay. I am committed to providing support across my community to ensure as many families as possible can benefit from my services.
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I ask for a 50% retainer due at time of booking and the remaining 50% due at 36 weeks for all labor support packages.