Jeanna Lurie

Jeanna Lurie discovered her calling to empower women in the childbearing year when she was pregnant with her daughter Jeannessa, born February 2, 2001. A self-proclaimed “book worm,” she devoured everything she could on the subject of pregnancy, birth, and motherhood to ensure her own empowering birth experience. She felt a need to share this information with other mothers-to-be.

Prenatal yoga had a profound effect on her journey into motherhood and although she had practiced yoga before, it was during her pregnancy that she got hooked and began a regular practice. Jeanna is certified as a Whole Birth^TM Yoga instructor and has been teaching pre and postnatal yoga since 2004. She received her second prenatal yoga certification through the Santa Barbara Yoga Center and a third through the Expanding Light of Ananda Yoga. She is also a graduate of the Avalon Yoga Teacher Training and enjoys sharing yoga with teens and children.

In October 2002, Jeanna became an accredited La Leche League Leader, supporting women to breastfeed. Shortly thereafter, she continued her studies in birth, and earned her certificate as a childbirth educator from the Association of Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators (ALACE) in the spring of 2004. Currently, she teaches independently as well as through Blossom Birth Services, where she orchestrates the class schedule and more as Program Manager. She attended her first birth as a doula in February 2003 and received her Labor Assistant Certificate from ALACE in May 2004. The following June, she attended the Midwifery Level I workshop at the Farm in Summertown, TN. With such a passion for birth issues, Jeanna has eagerly attended workshops with Elizabeth Noble (Essential Exercises for the Childbearing Year, Having Twins and More), Henci Goer (The Thinking Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth, Obstetric Myths vs. Research Realities), and Ina May Gaskin (Spiritual Midwifery, Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth), as well as attending La Leche League Conferences and Leader Workshops.

Jeanna served on the Board of Bay Area Birth Information (BABI), a non-profit devoted to informing families of their choices in maternity care in the Southbay, from 2004 until 2008, most recently as Board President. She was Project Coordinator and a founding member of the former Alliance for Safe Childbirth (ASC), a community organization devoted to providing information, education, and advocacy for evidence-based maternity care through the Mother Friendly Childbirth Initiative, written by the Coalition to Improve Maternity Services. With a similar mission, ASC was adopted by BABI in November of 2004 and continues its work as the committee to promote the Mother Friendly Childbirth Initiative.

In her free time, Jeanna loves spending time with her very supportive husband, Kevin, and their children Jeannessa and Maceo, dancing, going on hikes, playing at the beach, rooting for the San Francisco Giants, and spending time with friends.

Allana Moore- back-up Doula

Allana Moore found a passion in childbirth after the births of her two children. Her daughter, Kyra was born February 16, 2000 and after becoming pregnant again when Kyra was only 10 months old, Allana started reading a little deeper about birth. After Aiden was born, Allana became more active in the local birth community. Learning from the other doulas and childbirth educators, Allana knew what she needed to be doing.

In August 2002, Allana sponsored a doula training taught by ALACE. Soon after, she realized that even though attending births as a doula couldn't fit into her family at that time, helping other women learn about doulas could. In January 2003, Allana decided to go back to school to pursue a degree in Social Sciences at San Jose State University, with an emphasis in public service and social change. After graduating she hopes to continue her education either by going into a certified nurse midwifery program or a into direct entry midwifery program.

Allana has also served as President of Bay Area Birth Information (BABI) in 2009. Allana worked hand in hand with Jeanna as co-project coordinators for the Alliance for Safe Childbirth.

With a supportive husband, juggling school, children, and birth work, she still finds time to read. Scrapbooking is also something she likes to do, but hasn't had the time to work on them lately.

Jeanna has always respected Allana's skill at doula-work, and can now recommend her personally as she provided amazing support at the birth of Jeanna's son in July of 2008. You can reach Allana directly at 408-476-9343 or birthlight@comcast.net.

Birth is an empowering moment in a woman's life that needs to be honored. Allana and Jeanna want to help women believe in their innate power to accomplish this fantastic event.