Naima’s Story

When Naima was pregnant with her first child, she assumed that her pregnancy would end the way it always did in the movies: Her water would break, she would run screaming to the hospital, push three times and bam! A chubby baby would appear.

Until she took a childbirth education class. During the class, her assumptions were all turned upside down. She was fascinated. She was hooked. With her son was born a new career.

By 2014, Naima had become a certified Childbirth Educator, doula, and mother of two. Then she met Michele Arrieta, a fellow Childbirth Educator/doula who shared her passion for empowering marginalized families. Together they found For Your Birth that has since evolved into a training organization and consultancy. Through the years, Naima has shared her expertise with leading organizations including The Educated Birth, Mamatoto Village, Evidence Based Birth® and Lamaze International.

Today, Naima leads For Your Birth with the intention that everyone who provides pregnancy care is a well equipped companion who can support during life’s triumphs and difficulties.

Experience and Training

• MA in Secondary Education from Loyola Marymount University, 2003

• Public school teacher in LA, DC and NYC, 1999-2009

• Birth and Postpartum Doula, 2013-2020

• Grief & Loss Companion, The Institute for Birth and Death, 2020-present

• Board of Directors, Lamaze International, 2021-present