Nice to meet you, I’m Tanya.
I'm a midwife who coaches soon-to-be parents who want to understand the mystery and thrill of childbirth and all the possibilities of who they can become in this next big phase of their lives. I also mentor birth professionals, giving those called to this profession a chance to study the science, structure their support for soon-to-be-parents, and learn to build a modern practice.
As soon-to-be or first-time parents, it’s natural to feel confused or in the dark about what’s to come. You may be sorting through a barrage of outside opinions, experiencing judgment or feeling undermined by well-meaning family and friends.
All you need is information, support, and community.
I’m here to tell you that childbirth is not a beauty pageant.
Some parents choose homebirth, because they want to have more control over their own experience. Some parents choose a hospital birth because they want easy access to a c-section or epidural.
No birth plan is better than another, when you choose what’s best for you. And you can make these choices with confidence when you’re equipped with a deeper knowledge and clearer set of expectations, given to you by a nurturing and inspiring guide.
I’ve been that guide for countless pregnant folks, parents, and birth professionals for more than a decade.
Shortly after giving birth to my son Milo in 2008, I completed my initial birth and postpartum doula training with DONA, International; holistic doula training with The Matrona; obtained my Certified Lactation Counselor credential with Healthy Children's Center for Breastfeeding; and became a certified Sacred Birth Counselor. I pursued my Master of Science in Nursing from the midwifery program at Yale School of Nursing and earned my R.N. (Registered Nurse). While at Yale, I received additional IBCLC training with Hudson Valley Breastfeeding.
That’s a fancy way of telling you that I know a shit-ton about childbirth.
Before I started working in the birth world, I was an actor. That humor and warmth that I brought to the theatre? Now I bring that to a home birth or a lactation class.
This journey is messy and beautiful.
Unlike anything you’ve done before, and yet, you’re totally capable of it. Above all, childbirth is transformational. Why shouldn’t you go through it on your own terms?
Pregnant folks can work with me as a homebirth midwife, come to me for annual gynecological care or primary care, and consult with me on lactation through Manhattan Birth and Manhattan Birth Midwifery.
Birth professionals can take classes and join our mentorship program through Manhattan Birth.
You may also know me from my Cancer Project.
Watch the video series I created about my Stage 2 breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, and the project of healing from it.