About the Natural BirthWorks Team
Gelena Hinkley, LM CPM (Natural BirthWorks Owner)
Gelena Hinkley is a professional midwife who studied under the tutelage of renowned Midwife, Shari Daniels, at the International School of Midwifery in Miami. It is there that Gelena completed the Direct-Entry Midwifery program. Gelena is a Licensed Midwife (LM) by the Florida Department of Health and certified as a Professional Midwife (CPM). She also has continued her studies in herbalism and has completed several certificates as an herbalist.
She is also the owner and creator of Midwife 101, an online childbirth class series and co-owner of Natural BirthWorks. Gelena puts a high priority on educating her expectant mothers (and partners) about the natural labor process and caring for baby after the birth. Aside from her love of midwifery, Gelena also enjoys helping moms learn simple ways to live and stay as earth-friendly as possible. Her love for nature allows herself, her husband, and her children to live a simple, healthy and green lifestyle. “My goal is to provide the best care for expecting mothers so they can experience a peaceful and natural birth with the help of a midwife. My philosophy is built around three elements: nurturing, educating and empowering families. I believe and embrace the process of pregnancy, labor, and birth as a women’s rite of passage. I strive to ensure future parents are aware of all of their birthing options, and the importance of the natural progress of labor.”
Our Certified Birth Assistants
*all our assistants are certified through our NBW training workshop
Jennifer Stein (birth assistant/midwifery student)
Hi! My name is Jennifer Stein. I'm the proud mother of 3 incredible daughters and I have them to thank for my passion for all things birth. Specifically, supporting, educating and advocating for women and their families.
It was not until my first pregnancy that I discovered the importance of women supporting women. Being a doula since 2015, I would like to share my experience to support you and your partner during your birth journey. It is important to me to understand what your vision is for your birth day. It would be my honor to support you on your journey.
Myla Maslych (birth assistant)
Myla is a Certified Birth Assistant (BA) since 2018, a Birth Doula (IDI) and a mother of 5 children. She felt that everything about birth is her calling after she delivered her first son in 1997. Since then, she helps pregnant women and new parents by educating, providing helpful resources, supporting during pregnancy and postpartum period. She is also a Lactation Counselor (FSU SPEIP) helping women to know all the benefits of breastfeeding and to succeed in it. She knows how important support at every step of motherhood is, and always takes into consideration all of the family members' needs and expectations. Besides English she also speaks Ukrainian, Russian and Italian. Myla strongly believes in Spinning Babies methods and in Hypnobirthing approach. She works with families in Miami Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.
Doulas
*our doulas are contracted with NBW all are certified with separate outside Doula training organizations
Kari Yazejian (doula/birth assistant)
Kari is a Certified Doula (CPLD) and Birth Assistant (BA) who is passionate about helping others have the most rewarding birth possible. Her goal is to help you navigate and protect your birth and postpartum journey. She believes that everyone should have access to support and whether you choose to birth at the hospital, a birth center or at home she is ready to support you. She wholeheartedly trusts every woman's abilities and right to birth her baby between science and sacred. She relies on evidence-based information while valuing the wisdom of the women before us. She firmly believes in building a supportive village, whole body wellness and the mind/body connection. She is skilled in:
-
Lactation Support
-
Herbalism
-
Hypno-birthing
-
Spinning Babies
-
Baby wearing
-
Cloth diapering
-
Reiki practitioner (energy healing modality)
-
Certified Birth Assistant (BA)
-
CPR and NRP Certified
She accepts Medicaid clients through The Doula Network. Kari is a native of South Florida and happily serves N Miami, Broward and S Palm Beach.
She looks forward to helping you achieve your ideal birth.
Dudley Philistin (doula)
Dudley Philistin is a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and has been in the healthcare industry for 15 years. She has been in the medical tourism industry since 2019 and is currently master Colombia trained and certified in ( Post-operative care| Lymphatic Drainage Massages| Body Contouring| Wood therapy). She has acquired training and certifications from Broward College Entrepreneurial Experience (BCEx), YWCA South Florida’s WE360 program, Southern Birth Justice Network (SBJN), BMIHEC Pilot Doula Program at Jackson Memorial Hospital to name a few. Dudley has also received acknowledgment and awards for her exceptional devotion to attending to patients’ needs.
When she’s not taking care of patients, she’s being a mother to her son Phoenix who was 7 months in the belly when she started Queenfidence Recovery Services. The beautiful birth of Phoenix has inspired Dudley to venture into birthwork. Dudley is also the founder of sister company “Queenfidence Birth Worker” where she specializes in full spectrum holistic birthwork (doula).
Alexandra J Fleur (doula)
Hello there! My name is Alexandra but i go by Alex. I was born in Haiti to a family of male and female birth workers and healers that gifted me their teachings and knowledge around birth. Over the years i became a full spectrum doula specializing in first time family hospital birth and postpartum healing care and support. Including Haitian herbal bath, postpartum massage, closing of the bones ceremony, placenta encapsulation and daytime and overnight infant care and family support. Through nurturing, nutrition and connection i hope to leave each family with the confidence and courage that this journey is meant for them and there is a community of people that want to help.