I run for the gift of midwifery care I received so I could birth my babies with confidence and trust, even when I was sure it would be impossible.

I run for respectful shared-decision-making for all people throughout the life-span.

I run for my own midwife, Marcy Tardio.

I run for all those who championed me through nursing and midwifery school and continue to do so today - Marcy Tardio, Lonnie Morris, Julie Bouchet-Horwitz, Rachel Siegel, Jane Contarino, Charles Haddad, Kimm Sun, Tania Zirulnik, Cecilia Jevitt, Gina Novick, Alison Shorten, Pamela Lee, Kirsten Kowalski-Lane, Katherine Parker Bryden, Elanna Posner. There are so many more. You can google these folks. They are amazing.

I run for my students and will continue to throw the life raft to them way upstream - in pregnancy - wherever they choose to receive their care. And we will continue to offer that raft until they are ready to be on their own and have built their own communities.

I run for my own family and all the families who sacrifice birthdays, first steps, holidays, mornings, school pick-ups, show tickets, and everything I have missed attending births and attending to this calling.

I run for every person, who at 7-8cm has said, "Tanya, I can't" and I have said, "Yes, you can. Yes, you can."

Join me and take a stand for excellent, individualized, respectful healthcare in the childbearing year and throughout the lifespan.

The team at Manhattan Birth and I will be in Prospect Park this Saturday, October 4 at 8:30 a.m. at Miles 4 Midwives, to support Choices in Childbirth and NYC Midwives and to promote the midwifery model of care.
You can find more information about Miles 4 Midwives or sign up to run or make a donation HERE.
Come see us at our table and bring your babies! If you are a birth professional, please introduce yourself! We want to see you!

With all I've got!

When I became a doula, my experience with lactation was my own. And I had no breastfeeding problems. None. I put the baby to the breast, latched him deeply, and off we went. After just a few days, I was just lifting my shirt and getting on with life. Here's a quote from me 8 years ago:

"I don't understand why people don't just breastfeed. It's free. It's always the right temperature. You just lift your shirt and it's so much easier than buying and preparing bottles. And it's so much better for the baby."

And here's my response now to my 8-years-ago-self:

"Right, Tanya. You don't understand. So let's just be quiet and listen for a while."
My students and my clients taught me all about lactation issues and why people quit. Here's the conclusion I have drawn.

There is no one who knows how to help them. Doctors, pediatricians, nurses, and doulas have extremely varied amounts of experience and training in helping people with lactation. From a one-hour lecture in nursing school to a three-hour lecture in med school to a 45-hour advanced course in lactation. I'm always amazed when I hear about a healthcare provider giving someone breastfeeding advice when they have never seen the dyad breastfeed. People go through entire pregnancies with no one looking at their breasts or nipples, or even asking them if they plan to breastfeed and explaining how to get started. It's completely ignored.
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People are generally ignored for six weeks after having a baby. They don't realize that when they sign up. There is no care in the system. No one there. Dare I say the six weeks "postpartum". I've asked my students what they think of when I say "postpartum". They say it in unison - "depression". And if they don't think they will be depressed, they don't think they will need anything postpartum.

Maybe you'll be at her birth. Or maybe you'll be there after. Do you know how to help her? We, at Manhattan Birth, can help you learn.

Truth is, I was lucky. Plenty of folks are - I was one of them. My baby was good at it. I didn't know any better and it worked. We didn't need any more help than my midwife helping me latch the baby that very first time. So hooray for me! Sticking it out with no challenges whatsoever.

With all I've got!

I'm so excited to announce here today, that my very own midwifery practice, called Manhattan Birth Midwifery, is open for business! The website isn't done yet, but I am set up enough to make this announcement and begin accepting clients! Here are the services I'll be providing at Manhattan Birth Midwifery:

• Home birth midwifery based on the midwifery model of care and shared-decision-making.
• Yes, I do take late transfers when there is a good client match.
• Pregnancy/home birth care includes:
  • comprehensive prenatal care
  • lab testing
  • ultrasounds
  • healthcare during your pregnancy
  • prescriptions where applicable
  • home birth including waterbirth with my team
  • newborn exams including newborn screening 24-hours after birth
  • birth certificate and social security card filing
  • breastfeeding supervision (I am an IBCLC - lactation consultant)
  • postpartum CARE and follow-up

• Well-woman care and primary care
  • annual exams
  • pap smears
  • routine blood work
  • STI testing and treatment
  • treatment of vaginal infections/UTIs
  • prescriptions where applicable
  • Contraceptive counseling
  • discussion of your options
  • prescriptions where applicable
  • diaphragm fittings
  • IUD insertion

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• Lactation consultations (IBCLC Visits)
  • complete breastfeeding assessment
  • assistance with latch/positioning and treatment of sore/cracked nipples
  • pre- and post-feeding weights
  • suck assessment
  • assessment of your milk supply and improving it when needed
  • assessment of baby's milk transfer and tools to improve it when needed
  • treatment of breast infections including mastitis and thrush
  • prescriptions when applicable
  • Written plan identifying your issues and how we will work to resolve them
  • Follow-up by phone, email, and text

While I do not participate in-network with any insurance plan, home births are usually paid for mostly by insurance with in-network exceptions or out-of-network benefits. If you are interested in a home birth, let's talk about how to make that possible (especially if you know me!).

For well-woman/primary care and lactation consultations, I can provide receipts with medical proper coding for you to submit to your insurance.
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You can contact our midwifery office at (212)-763-6629.
I can't wait to hear from you!
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With all I've got!