Other Certifications:
Neonatal Resuscitation
CPR
Certified Lactation Counselor
Certified Childbirth Educator
Certified Doula
HCDC (hypnobabies doula and midwife)
My journey to this profession
started after I had my son, because during my pregnancy I had no
one to help or educate me. The class that I attended at the
hospital had over 50 couples and it was a one day class, explaining the policies and procedures of the hospital and their
rules, but nothing about how to birth naturally. They talked about
all the drugs that can make you comfortable and that labor hurts,
"don’t try to be brave". So as a teenager pregnant at 18 yrs old I
just did what the nurses and doctors wanted me to do, which
lead me to an unnecessary c-section. So I felt robbed of my birth
and no one was explaining anything. The only thing I did get to do
was to breastfeed my son. So
once I was able to recover from my surgery and find day care, I went back to school
to become a nurse. I told myself that I was going to be better
than any one of those nurses that were involved in my care.
Once I finished my prerequisites, I applied for nursing and I had to
write an entrance essay to the program. My essay moved the
emotions of the director of nursing and decided to give it to the
director of the midwifery program. The director called me and I was
accepted, and started my journey. I became certified as a holistic
childbirth educator, doula, and breastfeeding specialist. Then I
started my observation and assisting at births as a midwife
assistant, and senior student midwife. I managed my own births
and had my own doula clients as well as midwifery clients, but as a
senior student midwife. I have delivered over 700 babies (I lost count). So I
decided to pursue my monitrice certification which is a test, but I
had all the training already from the midwifery program. So I am a
certified monitrice but this is not legal in the state of Florida. A Montrice is a doula that can do vital signs, and vaginal checks at a home
setting. As an educator I started working while I was a student
midwife at Heart to Heart Midwifery Care, LLC, a homebirth practice that turned into a birth center. I taught there, then was hired at Healthy Start Coalition of Miami
Dade where I became a certified parenting educator through
learning games and a certified lactation counselor. Now I am a licensed midwife as well as a certified professional midwife. I also received a birth assistant certification with Breath of Life. I am certified doula thru Miami
Dade College. I was taught thru the DONA organization but didn't
get the organization certification because it was thru my college,
as well as Certified Childbirth Educator. I have a lot of passion for my
career and love to teach all the mommies I can come in
contact with. I have all my certification to show if you would like confirmation.
Miriam Maldonado, LM (PARTNER) She is serving as the Senior midwife for Childbirth Options,
LLC. for Wesley Chapel, FL Office.
I was born Brooklyn, NY, and raised in Miami, Florida. At 19 yrs old I graduated from Bauder College from Medical Assistant School but I knew there was something more than just working at a Doctors office. I always new my calling was somewhere else. I attended Miami Dade College in 1999 and started my journey to become a Licensed Midwife. I graduated in 2001 and have been practicing ever since. I have 20 yrs. experience in the medical field; Family Medicine, Orthopedics/Surgery, and OB/GYN.
I took over Heart To Heart Midwifery Care, LLC and served the Miami area and became a preceptor so that I may teach and pass on the knowledge and experience to student midwives. Volunteer work and teaching was very important to me. Being able to be a supporter for those teenagers and families that needed to know about their options and educate them so that they may have the best pregnancy and birth possible.
Traveling to Colombia, Cartagena was one of my Midwifery experiences that inspired me and made my true calling for Midwifery stronger. I was able to be a preceptor, and volunteer my time to learn about how other woman birth, overcome their fears, and experience that transition to motherhood in another country. My passion grew strong and I was ready to take over and ensure that every woman and mother to be would be educated and informed about ALL their options to pregnancy, birth and well woman care.
Life takes you thru many roads but you can only accept the path that GOD has truly put in your heart and that special calling that burns deep within. That is what Midwifery is for me. I have worked and met many Midwives along the way as well as families that have trusted me completely to provide maternity care and I thank all of them for letting me be apart of their journey as a Midwife.
Sizzly Auer started out as my student and now she is not only an amazing friend but has become family. Her journey as a Midwife has just begun and I’m very happy to be a part of it by sharing this new life journey. We are here to serve all families, to educate them and provide them with all the options for the birth experience they desire.
I have experienced hospital birth with my first daughter and realized the lacking of education, and support and that made me realize how maternity care needed to change. In 2007, I was surprised to find out I was pregnant and had the opportunity to experience a homebirth with my second daughter. One of my biggest rewards was the privilege of delivering my two granddaughters at my home and it is the utmost wonderful feeling.
We here at Childbirth Options, LLC are ready to embrace and be a part of all the families and communities that are ready to be a part of something wonderful and so empowering as MIDWIFERY.
Doula and Birth Assistant
Michelle Barbour CBD She is serving as a Birth Assistant and Doula for Childbirth Options,
LLC.
Sizzly M. Auer (Owner)
Miriam Maldonado, LM (PARTNER)
Michelle Barbour CBD