Aixa’s story
With a background in childcare, my path to birthwork came from my love for children
I nerded out over all things pregnancy, birth and parenting way before I started thinking about having my own. I saw it as preparation for one day when I would fulfill my dream of becoming a mother.
i had been married for a few years
But, I had a hard time feeling “ready” for kids. I felt held back by previous reproductive trauma and how non-linear healing can be. It felt like there would always be another milestone—psychological, financial, emotional, professional— that I needed to achieve first.
Then, a pandemic happened
Life slowed down for us. My artistic work had paused. Perspectives got clearer. All of a sudden, it felt like the right time.
Everything shifted after the birth of my son, Leonardo…
My birth film (shot by the incredible Katherine Marivelle) changed the way I viewed myself and my perspective on birth. As I look back at it, I realize birth is not just something to get through or survive unscathed. It can be an opportunity for transformation.
It can be a lot of things. Yes, uncomfortable and scary, but also spiritual, ecstatic, empowering mentally and physically. I felt like, “If I can do that–-I can do anything in this world” (And also, I was shown that our bodies are f*cking amazing.)
I’m a storyteller first and foremost
From acting, writing, painting, or directing—art has always called to me. So, birth photography + films seemed like a natural progression for this newfound passion.
But, after photographing some emotional births
That inner birth nerd felt called to do more than sit back and document. I couldn’t pretend I was a “fly on the wall” when I really wanted to be “in the trenches” with parents.
i followed up my passion with some life-changing trainings
I studied with some amazing people in the birth world: Latham Thomas (doula training) & Tanya Wills (lactation training). I have received invaluable guidance by my own birth team: Shawna King, Katherine Marivelle, Daisy Mason and Vickie Fernandez (my very own doula who is mentoring me. So full circle!)
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Birth Doula Training - Mama Glow
Integrative Lactation & Feeding Specialist Training - Manhattan Birth
B.A. Columbia University
Manhattan Birth Mentee
Nurtured Beginnings Mentee
Most listened to artist:
St. Vincent
Bravest thing I’ve done:
Scuba dived in a random island without training (actually, maybe the stupidest.)
what I’m most proud of:
My son & being a Latina.
my favorite places in the world:
Lake Garda, Italy & Cartagena, Colombia
TV Show that made me laugh the hardest:
The Office
Movie that made me cry the hardest:
Kramer vs. Kramer & Life is Beautiful
Personal Values
I’m not here to tell you how you should birth. I will help you educate yourself on how to prepare for the birth you want to have. I will then support your preferences and protect your right to do what you feel is best with your body and your child. Birth is unpredictable. However things unfold, I celebrate every way that babies are born–vaginal or cesarean, medicated or not, at home or at a hospital. I’m impartial to your choices as long as you feel cared for and are able to make an informed decision understanding all of the potential outcomes.
I’m an open book and believe in sharing all of my challenges in parenting (breastfeeding almost broke me!) because it makes us all feel less alone. I want you to be comfortable in opening up to me as well. I see birth as an initiation of sorts that asks for all parts of ourselves. It opens us up in ways that we cannot imagine until we go through it.
My photography style is rarely ever posed (especially for newborns & family photography.) I love documentary-style because I find the messiness and the truth so much more interesting than the version of ourselves we want to present to others.
