About Lesley
When I gave birth to my 1st son, I had no idea that the simple act of having a child would awaken a passion so strong within me, that it would change the way I move through life. Something shifted within me at a visceral level when I became a mother. After hearing all about how painful labor was, I approached it assuming that it would be hard, but being a strong, healthy young woman, I figured I would be able to endure anything this new life required of me. I could not have been more pleasantly surprised! My labor was very hard work, but I absolutely enjoyed the physical challenge of it. I was exhilarated by the powerful energy moving through me , and was amazed at the orgasmic quality of pushing him out. (yes…I described it then as feeling like having an orgasm from the inside out).
I had not met anyone thus far in my life to share, or even understand my experience of childbirth. I figured it was “beginner’s luck”. My 2nd son came quicker, but again, the labor was an amazing ecstatic experience. Both of these babies were born completely naturally, with Midwives, in a hospital setting.
It was then I decided to support other women on their journeys. I became certified as both a Holistic Childbirth Educator and Labor Doula. I attended births in hospitals, birthing centers and home settings as a doula, and a Midwife’s assistant for many years, always with the idea of becoming a Midwife tickling my brain.
It was after the home waterbirth of my 3rd son, with his big brothers there to welcome him, when I knew “I am a Midwife in my heart – I just need to get a proper education to make it official”. But always being a mother first, I waited until he was in Kindergarten to attend Midwifery school.
I graduated from National College of Midwifery, then took the national certification exam through the North American Registry of Midwives. I earned the title of CPM-Certified Professional Midwife, and a License from the state of New Jersey to practice Midwifery in a Home setting. Keeping my knowledge and skills current is important to me, and I take part in Midwifery conferences and skills workshops for Continuing Education credits as often as I can.
When not attending births or trainings, I recharge my own oxytocin levels by spending time with my family, going to the beach, fine dining, boat rides, reading and playing with Luna, my Tibetan Terrier.