I’ll be back in 2027, I look forward to seeing you soon :)

I am a direct descendant of 206 combined years of educating, serving & supporting marginalized communities. I am honored to carry my family’s legacy forward.

Honoring lineage. Centering families. Uplifting communities.

my Mission

I walk with families through one of life’s biggest transitions, tending to the physical, emotional & mental layers of birth. My mission is to transform birth into a source of strength & healing, one that sustains families today & echoes through generations to come. I do this in honor of my mother, our elders & our ancestors who carried struggle so we could live without it. Transparency is key for my families to feel safe. A background check is always available upon request.

Welcome

Written 9/25/2026

Something old, something new…

I consider myself to be the guardian of all vulnerable populations. This wish was granted through my brother. My Irish twin, who entered the world without our father. My brother is autistic & nonverbal, living his best life within SI New York for over 40+ years. I stepped into legal guardianship 27 years ago with my brother & mother by my side.

Our parents, two incredible souls that still live on through us. Their legacy is ours. Thank you for being here. You’re here for a reason. Let that guide the way in the way it was intended to. An educator & a Vietnam War veteran created magic beyond our wildest imagination. Embody your essence, the rest will always follow.

Yesterday marked a special day: the 11th anniversary of my mother’s transition. It feels like the perfect moment to reintroduce myself, yet again. Eleven years of complete chaos & beauty. Yesterday was the first time I didn’t cry. I celebrated with my family. I love my family.

Hi! I’m Anjanette, a mother to many, a plant hoarder & a water lover. When I daydream, I imagine myself strapping on my scuba equipment & exploring a world that reminds me we are limitless. That sense of limitlessness is what I want my families to carry with them as they step into parenthood.

I am the founder & sole owner of Birth & Beyond, NYC. It still feels surreal to say that out loud. I’m new to entrepreneurship, but I am not new to healthcare. I’ve spent close to 26 years in the healthcare system, with 18 of those years as a registered nurse serving thousands of patients across New York City. I am also a mom who experienced two high-risk pregnancies but had two beautiful birth experiences.

Fair warning: this may be the longest introduction on the internet. I had a wild year, y’all. I’m sharing a lot of thoughts at once because they’re that important to me, to us. So, grab something to drink and stay awhile. I’ve got some things to say.

shoutout to the best people on earth

My NYC families, I adore you. Your bravery, your strength, that damn accent lol. I have found so much peace in working outside the walls of the hospital. I am always here for the good ones. Right now, I promised myself that I would be transparent. This introduction is for you & for my fellow birthkeepers. My birthkeepers deserve the recognition, finally. It’s long overdue.

I’m turning 50 this year. After I had my world rocked, my friends finally told me 49 is a beast. I didn’t get that memo y’all. I was picking twigs out of my hair wondering WTH was going on. Seventeen investigations were going on. I reported entities & individuals that like to profit off our pain. I did this not so quietly behind the scenes. Last year, I offered to rip the roof off the healthcare system. I had no idea it would actually come to fruition that way. Doulas said they didn’t want that smoke. I said, I wanted thy smoke you speak of! If you ask me to come hither, then hither I shall come. My families are not to be bullied or coerced into making decisions that benefit the providers that care for them.

Providers call hospitals their home. Healthcare providers that abuse their power don’t get to choose this option. Taxpayers fund hospitals to keep their doors open. By default, we deserve a safe space to in hospitals too. The era of thinking we’re silent partners in this arrangement is over. We make shared decisions about our bodies, that’s non-negotiable. Doulas should freely walk beside families & individuals-guiding, advocating & making sure their voice remains at the center of their care.

Birth is sacred and important, please only seek people that are here for you, not their pockets. Doulas, please be mindful of the same. Be intentional with who you align with.

A journey through grief

I’m a former gamer, so when I mention ‘unloading the clip,’ please understand that I do not condone violence in any way. But metaphorically? I unloaded the clip. People caught strays. Throughout my healthcare career, I’ve been stalked, bullied, repeatedly threatened, just all the things I never want us to go through. EVER. I have one investigation left. When my birthkeepers saw me out there in the middle of the wildest west, they grabbed the artillery, I was released from the trenches. Now that they are getting their snipper level skills off in order to protect our families? I’m walking backwards into the bushes because, I’m retired y’all. I’m not sure what retirement looks like yet but I feel restored in the fact that I don’t have to battle against turkeys at 3:00 am. Richmond University Medical Center is surrounded by aggressive turkeys. I’m super grateful for all the support I have received, I have amazing people that love me & I’m tired LOL. On-call life & I are no longer on speaking terms. I will no longer answer to Nurse Silas.

I’m exhausted but happy that I didn’t snatch somebody’s son (or daughter) up because they tried it. They really tried it. Apparently, I’ve made running amuck a career.

Birthwork comes naturally to me. It feels like home. My grandfather was a physician, and I am blessed to have had a childhood deeply immersed in healthcare. My path has always been about caring for people, but creating Birth & Beyond, NYC was about doing it on my own terms-for families, in ways that feel healing & sustainable for me.

I support expectant families in Staten Island, where I live; Brooklyn, where I grew up & Queens, where I raised my first baby. I work with families through birth & beyond, offering personalized doula support, childbirth education & feeding guidance.

I can’t tell my story without honoring my mother, a member of the silent generation. She spent over 40 years in public service, navigating unjust systems & carrying far more than she should have had to. When my father passed suddenly, eight months into her pregnancy with my brother, she became a widow and a single mom raising two children while pushing through barrier after barrier. Losing her made me ask myself the hard questions, the questions that make a lump form in your throat & bring tears to your eyes. What if she had been given the support she needed when my brother & I were younger? Would she still be here?

That grief, as heavy as it is, also lit a fire in me to stand with families so they never feel unseen or unsupported, like my mom did.

Gen Z

Gen Z has gone through incredible heartbreak simply living on this planet. This generation is experiencing a mental and emotional health crisis, and the projections for their future health are devastating, to say the least.

And still, Gen Z kicked the door clean off its hinges. They’re redefining what adulthood is supposed to look like. Many aren’t prioritizing pregnancy or growing a family. They’re stepping into entrepreneurship because they watched us get rag-dolled trying to keep up with bills, careers, households, and raising them. Meanwhile, this country blames Gen Z’s mental health challenges on social media, doomscrolling, COVID-19, 9/11/01, Obama’s dusty bunnies, just anything.

But Gen Z was largely raised by Gen X, that deserves a closer look. An unhealed Gen X’er can be very scary. We were latchkey kids. We lived through the crack epidemic, the AIDS crisis, and some deeply frightening times, and many people never talked about any of it. There can be a belief that surviving those struggles automatically made us better people, while children and spouses sometimes became the recipient of trauma that was never addressed. Therapy and mental health support simply weren’t available, accessible, or normalized to the extent they are now. Many of us were given the responsibility of being an adult way too early. Unpack that, fam. Your circumstances weren’t your fault, but they’re certainly yours to heal. I pray our generation becomes the first to retire before the age of 65.

Why are we still working? To pay bills. Over two million of our Gen Z’ers are unemployed. That becomes an added stress within the family dynamic. This country should give us more room to breathe. But it doesn’t. It continues to place higher sanctions on our lives. Behavioral health tends to be out-of-pocket, low insurance reimbursement rates affect the quality of care that we receive.

A generation that cannot find decent work cannot build its future with confidence.
-Gilbert F. Houngbo, ILO Director-General

I was a special-education child to everyone. That changed the course of my life, but hindsight has shown me that it was ultimately for the best.

Please be kinder to one another and to the teachers out there working their magic every single day. I would’ve crashed out. You are the MVPs in this dancery. Therapy is a critical component of sustaining our physical health and should be a standard part of patient care. Mental, emotional, and physical health do not exist in separate bodies. We will keep driving forward to make sure Gen Z is good.

Boomers and unhealed Gen X’ers, you are not invited to the cookout until you get therapy, please.

for my keepers of birth

Doulas, you know that includes you :) Yes, the same doulas who convinced me to make a TikTok page. I almost retched setting up my account. Social media isn’t a good time for me.

My good people, PULL UP. We aren’t here to be the enemy or to work ourselves into burnout. Too many profit-hungry doula training programs teach doulas chase energy. Let’s stop this nonsense. It’s a setup for failure.

My ancestors & living relatives (the good ones :) have a combined 206 years of supporting marginalized communities. Whatchu mean I need another certification? Our lineage holds our story. The meaning of your birth name may hold something deeper than you think. We’re led here by passion, not profit. We’re built different. Let’s walk into that bravely & collectively.

Our Indigenous, Native & African ancestors built the foundation of birthkeeping. We, the Global Majority, carry that legacy forward.

This country is making money off our pain. Marginalized people are devastated by the state of this nation, but the love of money is still alive & well. Take them down & get them out. No more watching in silence. I had major organizations pulling up to the front of the congregation. Again, not a good time was had.

So, if you’re down, we ride at dawn. Slavery is dead. New York State is one of the biggest markets in the United States. Why did we, BIPOC doulas, fight to get Medicaid reimbursement just to end up with a $1,500 reimbursement rate? The other major market in this country is Cali. Look at their reimbursement rates. You will see a huge difference.

Hospitals want doulas in their ecosystem but then take the Medicaid rate & slice it down to make a profit. Doulas can barely make ends meet, despite the important role doula care can play in improving maternal health outcomes. And hospitals will report our stats as theirs. Trust.

My blogs tell the story of the past year: getting bullied, cyberattacked, stalked & having NYPD called on me. For calling the BS out. I’m not bothering anyone, but people love me for the same reasons they hate me.

Behind the scenes, my good people are working tirelessly to open accredited birthing centers across New York City & eradicate the barriers that stop us from achieving equity. Pain & beauty can exist in the same space. Nurturing is something we embody. In this context, imposter syndrome doesn’t exist.

If you’re not treated like the integral part of the care team that you should be, please speak up. I’m always here if you need someone to speak for you. Team Protect BirthWorkers. Only the strong survive. Cheers to us for making changes that will echo far into the future.

Cheers to my mother, my elders, my ancestors & my children, the reason I’m here & the source of my strength. And cheers to you, for wanting support during this transformative time.

A trip to Italy & Slovenia changed my life. What felt like home is my home. My heart craves its memories. My daughter brought this forward for me during this year of great transition. Her solar return will become mine this year.

I love my children from every corner of this great, expansive universe we call home. We were chosen to be here for a reason. Let that vibrate throughout the entire world.

I’m in a different stage in life. I’m just taking time to grieve and be happy. Retirement is so new that I forgot I was not supposed to be working. My passion projects are happening BTS. I’ll be back in 2027 with services that support the whole person, which influences the whole family.

Please complete the interest form below so I can better understand the needs of our community of Staten Island and our international families. Anyone can pull up. My doulas, please tap in. We love you and are here to protect you. Your light will not be dimmed; your work is our legacy. Thank you for all that you do.

10/7/26 just sharing ways I continue to play myself:

I also will like to apologize to my good Greek people, whose traditions & beauty shaped my life when I stepped into motherhood. I’m not sure where I wrote it, but I said I couldn’t stand the word doula & we’re not Greek. I’m Aphrodite af. Oh goodness, I claimed Europe as my home before Ancestry DNA decided to raw dog the mess out of me, on a daily basis might I add. I’m also European af. My birth chart shows a connection to Venus through Sagittarius. Venus is Rome, Italy. Where I found myself later in life, not feeling well at all. My mom said I was the queen of getting sick on vacations. Thanks mommy. For real, thanks mommy. In Rome, I decided it would be a great idea to down a glass of tap water. Not sure why I did that. Stomach virus? Immediately. I’m not roaming over there but I will visit because I absolutely was in awe of Italy. I’m going to get tf outta here after I share this because, yeah. My mother’s first husband is Italian. Mommy married at 18 years old right in our multigen home, after she was caught by her parents, my grandparents, for sneaking off to elope. Mommy started this plan with her boyfriend, Lenny, at 17 years old. He was going to law school. My mom took care of the household at a very young age & worked within legal systems during their short marriage. I was FLAMED for getting pregnant at the age of 21 by my mom. My grandfather’s mom was 21 years old when she had him. I’m going straight to my mom, y’all. No shoes flying, I want answers dammit lol.

A song for you: Strength & Softness

With immense gratitude,

Anjanette

Philosophy

Birth leaves an imprint that shapes not just the person giving birth, but the generations that follow. I believe in care that is trauma-informed, culturally aware & rooted in dignity. I approach this work knowing that when families are supported, mind, body, & spirit, they thrive & so do the legacies they build.

Core Values

• Equity: Closing gaps in perinatal care for BIPOC & other marginalized communities.

• Compassion: Meeting every family where they are, without judgment.

• Presence: Holding space fully, being seen & heard changes outcomes.

• Legacy: Honoring the sacrifices of those before us while planting seeds for the generations ahead.

• Commitment: Uplifting families while helping doulas maintain balance & longevity in this work.

• Trust & Safety: Third-party background check completed by Checkr, an accredited consumer reporting agency. Background report available upon request & located here.

  
  

Background

• Long Island University, Bachelor of Arts 1998

• Mama of 1!

• Utilization Management, non-clinical role, 2000-2004

  Helped create & manage an insurance-based Mother’s-To-Be Program, serving NYC

• Mama of 2!

• Long Island University, Bachelor of Science-Nursing 2008

• Externship-Kings County Hospital, NICU

• Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, Oncology

• NY-Presbyterian Bklyn Methodist Hospital, Pulmonary Step-Down 2008-2011

• Babies needed their mama, transitioned to admin life

• Emblem Health, NICU Care Manager 2011-2017

• Master of Science in Nursing Education, in progress

• United Healthcare, Medical Management 2018-2021

• Birth & Beyond, NYC LLC 2021; open for business 2022

• Birth Assistant, 2026

• Somatic Wellness Practitioner, 2022-present

• Birth Photographer/Videographer

  
  Nursing Experience

• IVF, Labor & Delivery, Postpartum, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

• Psychiatry

• Forensics/Legal

• Traumatic Brain Injury

• Hospice & Palliative care

• Oncology

• Cardiopulmonary/Intermediate Care

• Inpatient Utilization Management/Medical Management

  Certifications:

• Certified Doula 2021

• ALPP Lactation Counselor 2022

• Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator 2022-2026

• Level II Usui Reiki Practitioner

• Certified Placenta Specialist

• Sound Therapy

• CPR & OSHA

• BADT Certified Full Spectrum Doula 2025

• Spinning Babies® Parent Educator 2026

  
  

  Additional Trainings:

• Holding Space for Pregnancy Loss

• Advanced Holding Space for Pregnancy Loss Training, Understanding and Responding to Pregnancy Related Trauma Within Communities of Color

• Mental Hygiene Law, Article 81 Training, Lay Guardianship

• Bengkung Belly Binding

• Herbal Medicine & Reproductive Health

• The Art of Wombcare & Ancestral Healing

• (BADT) Birthing Advocacy Full Spectrum Doula Training changed my LIFE

• Hypnobabies®

• Spinning Babies® Foundational Workshop

• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP®) Advanced Provider, American

  Academy of Pediatrics and American Heart Association

• Babywearing Consultant-Center for Babywearing Studies (CBWS)

• Spinning Babies® Parent Educator Training

• Megi High Risk Doula Training

• Megi Health: Beyond the Birth Room: Supporting Families in the NICU

• Safe Sleep Ambassador, Cribs for Kids

  
  

  Roles & Memberships:

• Lamaze Job Task Analysis, SME Panelist

• Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Grant Reviewer

• NY Improving Doula Access & Integration, Community of Practice (CoP) Member

• Former Lamaze Certification Council Governing Body, At-Large Member

• Institute for the Study of Birth, Breath & Death Member

• Proud partner with New York Coalition for Doula Access (NYCDA) in advancing maternal health & expanding doula access.

• Richmond County Black & Minority Chamber of Commerce Member

• Program Committee Member, AABC/NACPM Community Birth Conference (2027)

• Black Maternal Health Momnibus: Endorser/Advocacy Partner

• Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA) Sustainer for life

  
  

If you’ve made it to the end, I’m truly touched, thank you. I wanted to share some fun stuff about me for my fellow star loving humans.

I am a lover of our expansive cosmos, a Scorpio Sun & Moon & Virgo rising. I feel things deeply & I’m happy to observe, staying behind the scenes in an extra-large hoodie. Being in front of a camera makes my stomach bubble.

I recently discovered that I’m also a Reflector in Human Design. Reflectors are here to mirror the world around them, to sense the health of a community & to remind people of what’s possible when we live in alignment.

For me, this means I don’t just walk with families through their perinatal journey. I reflect their strength, amplify their wisdom & hold space for the transformations happening on every level :) I feel at peace that I can finally provide care the way my heart desired all of these years.

My mom & I shared a connection to the moon. It is a blessing to know that memory will continue to live through me, an enduring reminder that love, like the moon, changes form but never disappears.

PS Reflectors represent 1% of the population. I learned in 2026 that it’s the most ghetto hood of all hoods across this world. This happens to align with my milestone year & birthday, known as the midlife awakening? Why isn’t this on the national news? This is an offline conversation. Trust me.

This year I met the other side of the family that my heart yearned for. My daddy’s side of the family & his story are no longer a mystery to me. It feels good to know that his legacy lives on in all of us. We will never forget.