Hi. I’m Virginia! That’s me in the pic on my wedding day 4 1/2 years ago. I will likely never look this good again so don’t get disappointed when you meet me in person. (My hair is much shorter now. Ain’t nobody got time for maintaining that length anymore!).

I love all things natural: natural health, natural fertility, natural pregnancy, natural birth, natural parenting… and photography using natural light!

I have been a herbalist since 2000, a nutritionist and a doula since 2006, a childbirth educator since 2010, a placenta encapsulator since 2012, and a photographer since 2014. And just this year (2017) I’ve taken 3 Spinning Babies® Workshops for optimal foetal positioning, and trained to be a Mizan therapist.

I love my work so much that I find it hard to do anything else (…except skateboarding! I can sometimes be found hanging at my local skate park with my kids and will usually be the only woman on my board and not sitting on the sidelines as a spectator!)

If detail bores you, then skip the next part, but if you want to know more, here’s my background of how and why I came to be following my bliss and doing what I love in supporting people’s health, and supporting women planning on birthing their babies naturally….. 

I started studying Herbal Medicine in 1998, which ignited my passion for natural health and led me on a long journey of healing, self-discovery and thirst for more knowledge.I furthered my education with more studies in Advanced Herbal Medicine, Iridology, Nutrition at Australasian College of Natural Therapies; and eventually Reiki, while travelling in India.

I started private practice as a herbalist and nutritionist at Birthing Rites Australia in Bondi Junction (2005 – 2008), with some of the many pregnant women who came there for pre-natal classes. It was there that I discovered what a doula was and I knew immediately that I wanted to have the privilege of helping women bring new life into the world.

So, in 2006, I embarked on the doula training course at Birthing Rites Australia, which was the longest course available in Australia at over 200 hours of face-to-face training.With such legendary teachers as Marie Burrows (doula, childbirth educator and counsellor with over 40 years experience in supporting women and birth) and Sandra Robinson (co-author of the book “Birth: Conceiving, Nurturing and Giving Birth To Your Baby”), I was given not only a great education in birth, but also a thorough guidance in my own self development. This helped me to better understand my own mind, my tendencies and my own birth experience to better benefit those who need my support in such an important yet vulnerable time in their lives.

I have had valuable mentors such as midwives and counsellors, and I continue to keep updated with information by attending natural birth workshops and annual homebirth conferences. I also continue to learn from the women who allow me to be a part of their birth, which is always individual, continually challenges my expectations and is such a humbling experience to be a part of.

My husband Dan and I have 2 healthy boys who are 8 and 6yo. We prepared to conceive them by undertaking a comprehensive natural preconception health programme and I easily fell pregnant both times, enjoyed very healthy pregnancies, and gave birth to our first son, Jetsun Bodhi, at home in Cronulla in February, 2009. Our second son, Keanu Jarrah, was born at home in Caringbah in September of 2011. Jetsun and Keanu continue to inspire me to help other couples enjoy the same benefits that a good natural health programme has given to our family!

I have been an active volunteer with Homebirth Access Sydney since soon after giving birth to Jetsun in 2009, having various roles within the organisation (including Managing Editor role for 9 issues for ‘Birthings’ magazine, and as Coordinator/President for 4 years). I am currently serving as Vice President and Assistant Editor.

I have been the presenter for Beer & Bubs in Sydney since 2010. Beer and Bubs is a one-night workshop at the pub where dads can learn how to support their partner through the birth of their baby. It isnow held at The Hive Bar in Erskineville on the second Tuesday of every month. Please go to the website to book.

I trained in placenta encapsulation in 2012 and have been offering this valuable service to new mothers ever since. Please see the Placenta Services page to find out how consuming your placenta in capsules or a tincture can help in the postnatal period and beyond.

Finally, I bought my Canon 5D mk iii and did a photography workshop in 2014, and have just loved taking photos of pregnant women, birth and babies.

Qualifications

• Advanced Diploma of Western Herbal Medicine (incorporating: Certificate 1 Bush Flower Essences) [2003]
• Diploma of Botanical Medicine [1999]
• Diploma of Nutrition [2006]
• Advanced Certificate of Iridology [2002]
• Post-grad Certificate in Herbal Medicine: The Special Case of  Pregnancy [2007]
• Reiki Master [2007]
• Doula certificate [2006]

If you would like to discuss how I can help you experience a healthier, more comfortable pregnancy, a more positive and enjoyable birth, a healthier baby and a smoother transition into parenthood, please contact me.