Classes are led by Tamara Hawkins RN, LCCE, IBCLC, CHHC. Tamara earned her nursing degree at New York University and began a career in obstetrical nursing and perinatal education 11 years ago. She then went on to become certified as a labor support specialist, Lamaze instructor, lactation consultant, and a holistic health counselor certified through the Association of Drugless Practitioners.
Tamara brings her experience working at New York Presbyterian Hospital, Mount Sinai Medical Center, NYU-Langone Medical Center, and Elizabeth Seton Childbearing Center, a free standing birthing center, to help women navigate through the maze of holistic options and medical choices to have a empowering birth experience and feel confident taking care of their babies.
Tamara is also a mother and a student. She is currently studying to become a Family Nurse Practitioner and will dedicate her practice to helping breastfeeding mothers overcome rare and common feeding challenges.
We at Stork and Cradle strongly believe birth is a normal physical, spiritual, and social rite of passage for families. Women and their partners are encouraged to tap into their inner stores of strength, confidence, knowledge, and intuition to prepare themselves to give birth. These classes are a soulful approach to birthing and breastfeeding success. We are here to mentor you in giving birth as necessary for your body, your beliefs, and your baby.
Our mission is to empower women and their partners. We give you tools to make informed decisions and feel confident. This is important in order to build a trusting relationship with obstetricians and midwives so you may have a satisfying birth experience.
Philosophical Assumptions and Guiding Principles for classes:
- Childbirth is a profound rite of passage, not a medical event (even when medical care is part of the birth)
- The essence of childbirth preparation is self-discovery, not assimilating obstetric information.
- Active, creative self-expression is critical to childbirth preparation.
- The purpose of childbirth preparation is to prepare mothers to give birth-in-awareness, not to achieve a specific birth outcome.
- Pregnancy and birth outcome are influenced by a variety of factors, but can not be controlled by planning.
- In order to help parents mobilize their coping resources, it is critical for childbirth classes to acknowledge that unexpected, unwelcome events may happen during labor.
- Parents deserve support for any birth option which might be right for them (whether it be the use of drugs, technology, home birth, or bottle-feeding).
- Pain is an inevitable part of childbirth, yet much can be done to ease suffering.
- Fathers help best as birth guardians or loving partners, not as coaches; they also need support
