Holistic Care Providers
Lisa Simpkins
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant
Hi! My name is Lisa Simpkins and I have been an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) for 20 years, most of it with San Diego County Midwives (SDCM).
My passion has always been about supporting a woman where she’s at both in her pregnancy and during her parenthood journey.
With SDCM, we work diligently to create a sisterhood experience in our group where we can learn from one another as mothers and also provide the clinical aspect when it’s needed.
Our free group is open to the community and we welcome partners as well.
My hope is you join us on Thursdays from 10:00-11:00 to meet others and to get help with any lactation challenge you have!
Lisa offers lactation support at our free Breastfeeding Support Group.
Ashlee Gendron
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Ashlee Gendron is a Doctor of Physical Therapy specializing in orthopedics and pelvic health. She graduated in 2011 from Western University of Health Sciences and began her career in an outpatient orthopedic and neuro clinic.
In 2013, she started her journey in pelvic health. However, her true appreciation for the specialty deepened after 2017, following the birth of her second son and a challenging postpartum recovery. This personal experience, which included severe urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, and postpartum depression, inspired her to dedicate her career to educating, treating, supporting, and raising awareness for women’s health throughout the perinatal, birth, postpartum, perimenopause, and menopause stages. She emphasizes a multi-disciplinary approach and aims to work with other practitioners who share the same values and want to support women through each season of life, in order to provide endless resources and the best care.
Nina Jung
Board-Certified Acupuncturist, Holistic Strength Coach
Nina Jung is a Board-Certified Acupuncturist, Holistic Strength Coach & Mother.
She supports women’s hormonal and emotional health from conception to postpartum, perimenopause, and beyond. Rooted in East Asian medicine and informed by modern neurobiology, her work sees the body as a map of resilience—guiding women to regulate their nervous systems, balance hormones, and reclaim their rhythm of strength and beauty.
Her practice blends acupuncture, facial rejuvenation, and embodied care to help women feel powerful, nourished, and deeply at home in themselves.
Grounded in both clinical expertise and lived experience, Nina’s work redefines beauty, vitality, and care for the multi-hyphenate woman.
Please let her know if you would like more information about her services or her bi-monthly Community Mother Acupuncture Circle.
Takayo Wakayama
Certified Birth Doula (DONA) and community-based lactation support
Mother of 2 children. Japanese/English bilingual.
Birth Doula and community base lactation support since 2010.
Asian community and cultural birth advocate.
Certified Birth doula DONA (CD)
Lactation Education Counselor
Spinning Babies trained
Peanut ball trained
Hands and Heart Bodywork trained
Prenatal exercise trainer
Takayo offers lactation support on Thursdays during our free Breastfeeding Support Group.
Please let her know if you would like more information on her services.
Julie Brancaccio
Student Midwife, Full Spectrum Doula, Lactation Education Counselor, Certified Birth Educator
Julie is a Student Midwife, Full Spectrum Doula, Lactation Education Counselor, and Certified Birth Educator with nearly six years of experience serving families in San Diego. She is dedicated to providing compassionate, non-judgmental care and education to families at every stage of their reproductive journey.
Julie has experience supporting families in diverse birth settings—at home, in birth centers, and in hospitals—always meeting each family where they are and honoring their unique birth plans.
Julie’s childbirth education approach is comprehensive and adaptable, ensuring that every family feels empowered and informed, regardless of their birth preferences. Whether you’re planning an unmedicated birth, considering an epidural, preparing for a planned cesarean, or opting for a home birth, this class is designed to meet your needs. Julie’s goal is to equip you with a full spectrum of knowledge so you can make confident, informed choices about your prenatal care, labor, delivery, and postpartum experiences.
Please let her know if you would like more information about her services or her Childbirth Education Class.
Misty Flannery
Certified Yoga Alliance Instructor
MIsty Flannery is a Certified Yoga Alliance Instructor with a BS Degree in Psychology, Emphasis in Pain Management & Anatomy. She has certifications in Adaptative Yoga and Reiki Master. She has been teaching Moms, Moms to Be, Families and all Walks of Life for 15 years. She is a dedicated instructor, as well as a practitioner.
She is honored to be your guide during all of these exciting transformations of pregnancy and after birth. Together you will build greater health, enormous strength and an abundance amount of positive energy.
She currently teaches a Postnatal/Postpartum yoga class and Mommy & Me Yoga class at the San Diego County Midwives office. These classes provide a style of yoga that addresses the physical, mental and emotional challenges of being a new mother as well as the aftermath of pregnancy. This is a nurturing environment where mom and baby can bond, strengthen their attachment. The session will be crafted with postpartum-safe movements. A beautiful blend of relaxation, positive energy & compassionate support.
To stay connected visit Misty on Instagram.
Please let her know if you would like more information about her services or yoga classes:
Prenatal & Postpartum Yoga (Mondays @ 11:30am)
Mommy and Me Yoga (Thursdays @ 2pm)
Kim Nicholson
Certified Birth Doula (DONA) & CLEC (Certified Lactation Education Counselor)
Kim Nicholson is a DONA certified birth doula and Certified Lactation Education Counselor (CLEC). She’s a mama to 4 adult children and their spouses, and Grammy to 5 amazing kiddos ranging from 6 months to 14 years.
She’s been a doula for 8+ years and has supported over 430 families (some of them for multiple births!) “This amazing walk alongside families has been humbling, exciting, so satisfying, and is one of the most joyful, spiritually fulfilling, times of my life!”
Kim holds a monthly class for new parents. She gives a little insight into the parenting experience from the last few weeks of pregnancy through the precious early days of life with a newborn.
Please let her know if you would like more information about her doula services or her New Parents Class.
Natalie Epstein
Doula and Childbirth Educator
Natalie is a mother of 2 boys, a wife, a doula and childbirth educator serving the San Diego community.
She supports all types of birth and believes that every birth is a profound rite of passage. Each experience holds its own surprises, and as birth approaches, we step into the unknown. Sometimes we believe that if we just “do everything right” or learn all there is to know, things will unfold exactly as we imagine.
The truth is, your body and soul already carry ancient wisdom. When we connect with that inner knowing, we allow birth to unfold in its own way — and we begin to trust that we are capable of handling whatever arises. We can also learn tools and techniques that can help us cope with the intensity of birth and build our confidence.
In her classes, Natalie weaves together modern knowledge, intuitive insight, and inner wisdom to help you feel calm, grounded, and prepared for your birth journey.
For more info and to register for class please visit:
https://www.natthedoula.com/birth-preparation-class
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