Warm welcome! Thanks for stopping by. My name is Erica Falk and I am a birth doula in Pacifica, CA, located in the San Francisco Bay Area. I lovingly serve the coast from Pacifica to Half Moon Bay, as well as the Northern Peninsula, San Bruno to San Carlos. I have worked as a massage therapist for 18 years and currently practice prenatal massage at Ocean Yoga in Pacifica.
In 1990, I became a Certified Massage Therapist at Heartwood Institute in Garberville, CA. Afterwards, I began my practice in the holistic field as a Massage Therapist in the Bay Area. In 1999 I received certification from World School of Massage and Advanced Healing Arts in Swedish, Deep Tissue and Vibrational modalities.
In 2000 I completed my doula training certification at Natural Resources in San Francisco and soon after became certified in prenatal massage at The Body Therapy Center in Palo Alto.
In April 2009, I began working as a volunteer in the Doula Program at San Francisco General Hospital. Through this experience I have been fortunate to be part of many births. Over the last year I have dealt with many issues that present challenges in the birth process, such as teen pregnancy, poverty, homelessness, domestic violence, drug and sexual abuse, and adoption support. This has been invaluable learning for me, as well as one of the most fulfilling experiences in my life.
In March 2010, I completed the Midwifery Assistant Workshop at The Farm in Tennessee, with instruction from the renowned midwife and birth activist Ina May Gaskin. The workshop focused on breastfeeding and bonding, cultural differences in childbirth, position, station and engagement of baby, anatomy and physiology of female reproduction, blood pressure, oxygen set-up and use and neonatal resuscitation. During my stay at The Farm, I met 14 other wonderful aspiring midwives, all who are making a difference in the world of birth. Along with my colleagues at SFGH, I am proud to be part of a community of doulas and midwives who are “changing the world one birth at a time.” It is my desire to nurture, respect and protect your right to a memorable and beautiful birth experience.
My Personal Story
I have been fascinated with childbirth most of my life. When I was 10 years old I moved to Marin County with my sister and mother into a communal living environment. This was a new experience for our family and one that helped shape me into the person I am. Here I met Lynn, who quickly became, and still is a close friend of the family. She was the mother of two boys, and pregnant with her third child. She planned on delivering him at home. This was simply amazing to me -- I was full of questions, wonder and awe! I knew I wanted to be part of it.
I could tell the birth process was something special. As I grew, so did my fascination with birth. When I was eighteen years old, I began my work in the healing arts to receive my first massage certification.
In 1993, my first daughter Nicole was born at UCSF Medical Center in a beautiful birthing room. She brought me joy I had never known before. She was a miracle, a blessing and a gift. The day after Nicole was born she began to have serious complications due to an A-O blood incompatibility. She spent the next seven days in the NICU. After three blood transfusions, she was healthy enough to come home with us.
In 1996 my second daughter Jessica came along, also at UCSF but this time in the Operating Room. She was in a breech position and needed a little help coming into the world with the use of forceps. She was healthy and so beautiful. After 90 minutes of separation after her delivery, she was put into my arms and I fell in love again.
Both of my birth experiences were the most miraculous events in my life. They were also in some ways traumatic. I remember feeling alone and unsupported, even with people who loved me by my side. The experience left me wondering how things might have been better. I wished that I’d had someone to help guide and support me throughout my tough journey. I wanted more understanding of the important choices I would face during birth. In some cases, I wasn’t aware that I even had choices, and that my wants could be considered.
Shortly after my daughters were born I felt a stronger calling than ever before to work with moms and incorporate my holistic body work to help to heal, relax and comfort moms. I want all moms to feel loved and supported in her process of birth. I want her to be informed of her choices, and to create the birth experience she desires, what ever that may look like.
Our birth experiences as women shape us and it is something that we carry deep in our hearts for most of our lives. Our children carry this experience their entire lives; whether or not they were born gently, softly and kindly into this world. To have a child’s mother loved, safe and nurtured while she is giving birth is the greatest gift you can give to an unborn child.
“Peace On Earth Begins With Birth!”
