Virginia's Story:
My interest in holistic health and women’s health began as a teenager, and has led me to become a New Jersey licensed homebirth midwife, a practitioner of herbal medicine and a doula.
My study of herbal medicine began in 1990 with David Winston at his Center for Herbal Studies in Washington, NJ. After four years of class time with David, one of foremost and respected herbalists in the country, I also completed a course at The North East School of Botanical Medicine with 7Song, also a noted and respected herbalist.
I work as a private consultant with a focus on women’s issues such as fertility and conception, premenstrual syndrome and menopausal concerns, however I have strong interest and experience on a range of issues from asthma, depression, ADD, allergies, lowered immune response, eczema, and anxiety. I also teach classes on many of these topics.
My interest in midwifery emerged in my early 20’s. After reading authors Suzanne Arms (Immaculate Deception) and Gena Corea (The Hidden Malpractice: How American Medicine Mistreats Women”), I got what is often described as a ‘calling’ to be a midwife, and to provide an alternative to the ‘medicalized’ model of birth.
My pursuit of becoming a midwife began as a Doula in 1996. A Doula provides physical, emotional and logistical support during labor and birth. In 2000 I moved to El Paso, Texas to attend Maternidad La Luz, a midwife school accredited by the Midwifery Education Accreditation Council. I attended 120 births in my 18 months of study there, 43 as a primary midwife under supervision by a licensed midwife.
I returned to New Jersey in 2002, and in 2005 I became fully licensed by The Board of Medical Examiners, as a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM), which qualifies me to offer homebirth. I continue to offer birth and post-partum Doula services, and am in process of being certified as a post partum doula.
I attend many conferences around the country both on herbal medicine and midwifery. I have a BS from Cook College, Rutgers University in Human Ecology. I served on the Board of Directors of The American Herbalists’ Guild from 1995-1997. I am active in my local Food Coop, where I have a monthly column in the newsletter, on topics relating to natural birth and herbal medicine.
Testimonials:
Virginia was a great help for us in the first days after the birth of our son. There are moments when you just feel so inexperienced and a little helpless with a newborn during the first weeks. Virginia definitely stabilized our situation, helped us find a rhythm and routine with our son early on. We highly appreciated her emotional and hands-on support. Especially, she was of great support with breastfeeding. Her experience and good advice guided us through the first days with getting used to breastfeeding for both mummy and our little boy. Thanks again Virginia!
Natalie and Tobias
"Virginia has done a wonderful job teaaching herbal medicine classes for us
at Living Tree Midwifery School here in Las Cruces New Mexico. She takes her breadth
of knowledge and makes using herbs easy to understand for beginners. Many of our
moms have enjoyed her classes and teaching style, and are now using herbal
medicine with their families. We look forward to having her back!
Kamy Shaw, CPM
Director, Living Tree Midwifery School
"Virginia came to us when I had my third son and I wish that I met her
earlier. I had never used a doula before, but always heard good things --- what I got was so much more. I called Virginia my "rent-a-mom without the guilt (and nagging)" -- she came in did the cooking, laundry, and took care of my infant, so that I could close my eyes and get the rest that I desperately needed without a second thought or feeling bad that someone else was doing all the work or that I had to entertain. There was no need to explain or teach or show Virginia anything, she came in a did everything that I thought I needed, and some things that I didn't even know I needed but which were done. She was right there for me, helping me breastfeed and keeping me motivated to pump even when I didn't want to. She was great with my older kids too, and made great meals that the whole family loved. She has such a peaceful calming presence and brought so much to our household, that I remember counting the minutes until she arrived and so saddened when it was time for her to go. We really appreciated her time here and I can see her added value to any family that she works with as a doula or in any other capacity".
Lesley, Maplewood, New Jersey
I was privileged to have Virginia’s support at the birth of my second child. After a long night of laboring, I told her that I wanted to do the work she did. Two years later I was working as a doula and childbirth educator. I continue to be as honored to work with Virginia as I was to include her in my son’s birth eight and a half years ago. In all those years, she is one of only a handful of practitioners that has seen our family through all stages of wellness and met our many needs from an herbal and holistic perspective.
Jennifer Santos-Kraft
