Hello, my name is Lina. I work both in Australia and England, and I have over 25 years experience as a childbirth educator, birth attendant (doula), registered midwife and Bowen therapist. My twenty year old son was born at home amidst the rolling hills and forests of Northern New South Wales, Australia (in the Byron  Bay hinterland). He is the baby shown in most of the photos on this website (but not on this page!).

I have attended hundreds of wonderful births and this photo shows me holding one of my many gorgeous baby friends.

I see childbirth as a profound and potentially empowering experience in a woman's life. I feel passionate about helping women to grow within themselves during pregnancy and to become relaxed and confident as women during childbirth and motherhood. I have spent most of my adult life helping women birth with dignity and respect and helping babies to be born gently into a loving and compassionate environment.

Although my special focus has been natural, undisturbed birth, I am well aware of the challenges facing parents-to-be in achieving such a birth within the (often fear-driven) medical-based hospital system. Because of my midwifery experience both in hospital and at home, I have many 'tricks up my sleeve' to share with expectant parents, wherever they choose to give birth.
 
When child-bearing couples become informed and confident, these empowered parents (by asserting their understanding and needs) can influence the practices and politics of birth in our society at large.
 
This has been my life's work and passion. 
 
BACKGROUND: 
 
My first influence in the area of birth was my mother, Marilyn. I was one of the early 'Lamaze babies' born in the late 50's in Paris, France. My mother had a natural birth with me, and my father was with her throughout (rare in those days). My mother always told me that birth was natural and easy for her. She was not worried about it and in fact went to the hairdresser when she was in early labour! She used to often do guided relaxations with me as a child, and later she became involved in Buddhist meditation practice. Her positive attitude about birth rubbed off on me. I had no idea that later in life I would be so involved in birth and meditation myself. 
 
Over the years I have travelled widely and explored spiritual and personal growth through many avenues, too many to write about here in detail. Briefly, my training and experience include the following (all of which inform my work with pregnancy and birth):

I am a member of the Australian College of Midwives, the Australian College of Doulas, an advanced educator member of the National Association of Childbirth Educators (Australia), Member of the Bowen Therapy  Academy of Australia and Bowen Association of UK, member of YogaBirth Association, (UK) and I contribute regularly to the Childbirth Education Teacher Training program for midwives and health workers at Melbournes Royal Womens Hospital.