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.

Welcome

Hi! My name is Anjanette, I am a proud mama, registered nurse, doula, Lamaze childbirth educator, lactation counselor & ocean lover. I am a Brooklyn native, currently living barefoot & free in Staten Island, New York. Birth & Beyond, NYC is my labor of love, dedicated to expectant families & individuals living in New York City.

So, let’s dive right in. There are many care providers & birth spaces that go above & beyond to align with the needs of their patients. Unfortunately, spaces still exist where care does not feel caring & expectant families do not feel supported. That feeling of receiving less than you deserve can linger for a lifetime. This is not the feeling we want families to experience when they prepare to welcome their baby(ies) into the world.

Just as those who have given birth centuries before us, we also benefit from receiving support during our perinatal journey. This deep, lasting need for connection, especially in our bravest moments, is woven into the fabric of who we are. It’s something we lean into, a reminder we’re not alone.

I believe our birth vision belongs to us, whether it makes sense to others or not. My clients are the stewards of their birth. I value their vision & their knowledge of their body. My role is to gently guide them in the direction they wish to go. Through educational (fun!) classes, perinatal support & holistic services, Birth & Beyond, NYC is here to support expectant families during one of the most profound moments of their lives. Whether you attend one of my classes, or I am your companion during birth, I want you to see that birth is not meant to be scary. Its purpose is truly transformational.

As for me, I am the daughter of a reproductive health guru, teacher & freedom fighter. I inherited my granddaddy’s love of medicine & my mother’s nurturing (yet fiery) soul. I love to travel to places where the ocean meets the sky. I am an avid reader, aroid collector, certified scuba diver & someone who simply wants to see people thrive in ways they did not think were imaginable. I’ve had the honor to hold space for hundreds of patients across New York City; experiencing humans & all their humanness is one of my favorite things. I support every beautiful variation of birth.

This year, I am celebrating my 25th year as a professional within the healthcare system! Caring for others makes my heart happy :)

I welcome you to explore what Birth & Beyond, NYC provides to support families during their transition (or continued journey) into parenthood. Feel free to connect with me, I am here to support you & your vision.

Welcome home, family!

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.

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

• United Healthcare, Medical Management 2018-2021

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

• Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Grant Reviewer

  
  

  Certifications:

• BEST Certified Doula 2021

• ALPP Lactation Counselor 2022

• Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator 2022

• Level II Usui Reiki Practitioner

• BEST Certified Placenta Expert

• Sound Healing

• CPR & OSHA

  
  

  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

  
  

  Roles & Memberships:

• Lamaze Job Task Analysis SME Panelist

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

• Lamaze International Member

• 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.