How I Became a Midwife, Doula, Acupuncturist and a Mom
My own story
Hey there! I want to share a bit about my journey with you. It's a tale of how I found my way to becoming a midwife, a doula, an acupuncturist, and, most importantly, a mom. It's been quite the adventure, filled with unexpected twists, amazing moments, and a whole lot of learning. I hope it inspires you and maybe even helps you on your own path.
🌸 My first steps into the midwifery world 🌸
Alright, so let me tell you the story from the beginning: how everything started and how I got inspired to become a midwife.
When my sister was pregnant, she asked me to be her support person for her delivery. I was thrilled, curious, and so proud all at once! I wanted to take this role very seriously and do my best so my sister could get a beautiful experience as a first time mom.
On the big day, I joined her early in the labor process. We walked around the village, trying to make contractions more consistent, but we also found time to sip tea and play board games. I naturally reassured her, keeping her spirits up. The first stage of labor was long, as expected for a first-time birth, but it was filled with love and excitement for the little one on the way. Without realizing it, I was already stepping into my role as a doula.
And this is how acupuncture entered my life: As the labor progressed, and she was fully dilated, her baby experienced a severe heart rate drop known as bradycardia. While the doctor prepared for a possible intervention with forceps, the midwife in charge turned to acupuncture and applied it to my sister's pinky toes. With confidence, she reassured my sister and said: "You're going to make it, and your baby will be safe."
I was so amazed when my nephew was born healthy and vigorous, even before the doctor had finished putting on his gloves. The cherry on the cake: My sister only needed to push three times! I was so amazed! This midwife had such reassurance and confidence, she was the reason why the birth experience turned to be a healthy one. Thanks to her skilled approach, the baby was safe!
From that day on, I decided I wanted to become a midwife AND acupuncturist! From this experience, my journey into understanding and promoting natural childbirth began, driven by a belief in empowering women to trust and harness their own incredible capabilities.
🌿 My first steps into the acupuncture world 🌿
After three years as a midwife in Paris, I pursued a degree in acupuncture with a focus on obstetrics. I was amazed by how effective this approach was. Whether I was handling high-risk pregnancies like preeclampsia and gestational diabetes or dealing with challenges during delivery and postpartum, I often found that while traditional medical treatments were sometimes necessary, I could frequently switch the situation from pathological to physiological. This experience really opened my eyes to the powerful benefits of integrating acupuncture into maternity care
People often asked: "How do you work your magic?" The answer was straightforward: acupuncture allows the body's natural functions to operate optimally, supporting a natural and empowering childbirth experience.. I like to think of myself as providing the precise medical care patients need, akin to what an OBGYN would do with Western drugs but without the side effects. At some point, even the OB/GYNs started asking me to apply some of my "magic" techniques before stepping in with medical interventions. I really loved this collaboration, as I believe that both approaches—chinese and western medicine—complement and enhance each other wonderfully.
☀️ The California Dream: Becoming an Accomplished Doula and Acupuncturist ☀️
Then we moved to San Francisco and I decided to deepen my understanding of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as I knew I was still in need to learn more about this beautiful medicine. I enrolled in an acupuncture school for five years, diving into a complex and fascinating world that provided the answers I had always been seeking. From pulse diagnosis to examining the tongue, TCM taught me to use my senses to heal (palpating, observing, listening…) —a skill that makes a whole difference when we usually tend to rely on imaging and technological advances. I finally gained the tools to address any pathology using natural medicine, my life long dream!
❤️ My own Story becoming a Mom ❤️
During my time at acupuncture school, I tried to conceive without so much preparation except taking multivitamins. I was trusting my body but I actually experienced two miscarriages in a row. It was a heartbreaking but also incredibly informative experience. Motivated by this, I committed to weekly acupuncture sessions and started taking Chinese herbs because it was clear that my hormonal system needed support—after years on contraceptives, my menstrual cycles were irregular, short, with a scanty bleeding and accompanied by intense PMS symptoms like breast tenderness, cramps, and mood swings.
I was amazed at how quickly and effectively these treatments worked. Using this medicine for my own health reinforced my belief in its efficacy—it works not just because you believe in it, but because it is legitimate medicine. Within just three months, my periods became regular and symptom-free, my BBT charts were textbook perfect, and I felt confident enough to try conceiving again. To my delight, I got pregnant on our first attempt and went on to have a healthy pregnancy and an incredibly smooth labor!
Yes, let me tell you my birth story now: I literally broke the water at 1am, and by the time we arrived at the hospital, 3 hours later, I was fully dilated and ready to push! I had no fear or anxiety; I was trusting my husband and my doula 200% and myself 1000%. I knew what was happening every step of the way, and I was excited to experience this magical moment myself! My son is born at 4.13am.
I had dreamed of this moment my entire life, and suddenly, it was actually happening! It felt literally surreal—every single wish on my birth plan was respected. I was overwhelmed with a sense of empowerment, as if I had orchestrated everything in my mind and it was all coming to life exactly as I envisioned. I knew I wanted to labor at home for the most part of my labor and go to hospital during my transition stage and luckily this is what happened. I felt incredibly proud and deeply grateful to have the perfect support team by my side and the knowledge to advocate effectively for myself.
For my second baby, for this time, I prepared for conception three months in advance, using herbs again and acupuncture, and once more, I had another healthy pregnancy! For this time, I decided to give birth at home. I was confident enough in myself and wanted my health to be relying on a physiological pregnancy expert: a MIDWIFE.
Our monthly sessions with my midwife were personalized, informative and reassuring. While My pregnancy could have raised some challenges and doubts in a hospital settings, my midwife never doubted about my capacity of having a healthy baby and that’s what happened. SHE was THE ONE who truly understood the difference between physiological variations and pathology. While my belly was measuring too small, I would have been induced in a hospital setting at 37 weeks. She understood that due to my petite constitution, and the father’s Vietnamese origin, my baby was just the size she was supposed to be, nothing more! I had immense confidence in my midwife and was incredibly excited for the arrival of my new baby at home!
So on the big day, we nicely set up our room, with candles, music, flowers and home made meals. It was so cozy and romantic! We even had time to go for a walk, on this quiet early sunny Saturday morning, enjoying a croissant and a tea on our walk. True to expectations, the labor progressed very quickly. We went back home soon and the midwife arrived just in time, 15 minutes before the birth, while the second midwife unfortunately couldn't make it in time. And guess what? My baby arrived perfectly healthy, as vibrant as could be, even with her small weight! She is now 18 months and couldn't be healthier!
Now, let me tell you something: For both my babies, I used acupuncture throughout my pregnancies to prepare for labor. I believe that a blend of knowledge, confidence, and physical preparation through acupuncture greatly contributed to the speed and smoothness of my deliveries. And most importantly, the respect I hoped as a patient and as a mom for my own choices.
🌹 My Phylosophy on becoming an empowered mother 🌹
This personal journey through fertility and pregnancy not only healed me but also deepened my trust and confidence in the power of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and in the power of women’s body.
It taught me that women should feel empowered during birth, actively involved in the process rather than passively letting others dictate the course of events.
Now, I am convinced of one thing: your body knows how to conceive and give birth; we just need to listen to it and support it with the right resources. You are in charge, mama! And to truly embrace this role, you need to believe in yourself, armed with knowledge and the right guidance.
And that's what I'm here for—to guide you and provide the resources you need to realize these dreams. Whether it's your first or next child, remember: if you can dream it, believe in it, and work towards it, anything is possible!
Book an appointment with me today here and let's pave the way to your maternity journey together.
