Who is behind KBBirth?
Hi there, I’m Lea! I am a doula, birth educator, doula, mother, wife, daughter, and historian. My fascination with birth began when I had my first child, as I was truly amazed by the incredible power it holds for women and their families. My mission is to provide compassionate support to women and their partners, helping them have a positive and fulfilling experience throughout their fertility, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum journey.
Originally from Germany, I now call Jerusalem home, where I live with my husband and our wonderful sons. I speak English, German, and Hebrew. I did all my birth-related studies in Hebrew.
Education in the birth field:
- Certified Birth Doula דולה מוסמכת – trained in אמנות הלידה (Israeli equivalent to Cappa training), 2023
- Birth Oriented Thinking certified facilitator, B.O.T. מוסמכת – trauma-informed care, birth processing, birth prep after sexual violence, support for women who go through fertility treatments, miscarriage, stillbirth, etc. (basic + advanced training), 2022-2023
- Birth Education – Hypnobirthing, DipHB(KGH), (accredited by the Royal College of Midwives UK), 2020-2021
- Closing the Body – bodywork “closing the bones” training by Sarah Froind, 2024
- Certified Prenatal Massage & Touch Therapist – training by Arielle Cohen, laledet school, 2024
my philosophy
Rite of Passage
Giving birth is a huge deal. It’s not just popping out a baby; it’s a major shift from one life phase to another.
Experiencing the transformative power of childbirth with my first child made me realize that it’s more than just enduring pain—it’s a blend of intense physical and emotional processes that leave a lasting impact. This profound insight sparked my journey into birth work.
Fascinated by birth and recognizing the widespread lack of sufficient preparation and compassionate support for women, my determination to make a difference only grew. This motivated me to pursue certification as a birth educator, B.O.T. training, and ultimately become a doula. My mission now is to provide holistic support, share invaluable knowledge, and deliver personalized care tailored to the unique needs of each woman.
My academic background might seem unrelated – Jewish Studies and History B.A., History M.A., and ongoing Ph.D. in Jewish Gender History – but it actually gives me a good theoretical base. Gender has been a big theme in my studies, which helps me look at birth from different angles. Plus, my research skills from academia make me a bit of a “birth nerd,” always diving into the latest studies and staying updated when it comes to birth-related topics in research.
To enhance my ability to support women & couples, I’ve undertaken extensive training in trauma-informed care, emotional birth preparation, birth processing, and various other areas.My aim is to establish a supportive and safe environment where individuals can openly discuss their fears, concerns, and birth preferences without imposing any particular agendas, such as “fearless birth” or rigid expectations. I’m dedicated to providing them with the necessary tools and information to make choices aligned with their preferences.
Birth isn’t just a physical thing; it’s a transformative and sacred rite of passage. It shapes who you are, can boost your confidence, and connects you to your own strength. As a doula, birth educator, and academic, my gig is all about giving support, solid advice, and evidence-based care to moms and dads-to-be. I’m all about blending real-world wisdom with the nerdy stuff, helping women navigate their fertility, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum journeys with confidence, strength, and a good dose of joy.
The primary areas of focus in my work are
- Birth Preparation – I assist expecting parents in preparing for birth and help them determine what is best for their individual situation.
- Birth Support – I accompany women and families through the journey of pregnancy, birth and postpartum, ensuring continuous care.
- Emotional Support – I support women and families who are facing emotional challenges related to birth, such as a previous difficult birth experience, sexual abuse impacting pregnancy and birth, or fertility issues.
- “Cultural Translator” – I guide Olot and other immigrants through the maternity care system and ensure that their voices are heard.
- Physical Support – I assist women in feeling more comfortable and relaxed through various massage and bodywork techniques.
My Vision
I strongly advocate for every woman’s right to choose her own birthing journey. Whether she is loud or quiet, chooses a home birth or hospital setting, epidural, opioids, hugs, or trusting her instincts, everything is valid. Giving birth can take place in a pool, a theater, on a bed, couch, standing, lying, or kneeling.
I believe that comprehensive birth preparation and personalized support are key to making a positive birth experience much more likely for both the pregnant woman and her partner. Knowledge empowers expecting parents to make informed and autonomous decisions, while practical and relaxation techniques support the birthing process and embrace it as a transformative rite of passage.
