My Story
I am Cecilia. I am a Birth and Postnatal Doula, as well as a professional Remedial Massage Therapist with 14 years of experience. I speak Spanish & English, so you can say I’m a “Bilingual birth and Postnatal Doula and Massage Therapist”.
I was born and raised in Argentina, and have made Australia home since 2011. I love the enriching aspect of sharing cultures, it feels like an invisible unspoken universal language that connects us in a unique way. I have a particular life story of opportunities that were presented to me without really knowing at the time that I was led by a deep intuition and force that led me to be who and where I am today.
2009
Remedial Massage Therapy Course {Melbourne Institute of Massage Therapy (MIMT)}. Massage Therapy gave me purpose and guidance in my life. 14 years later, I still find myself in awe of my deep connection to this art, the healing properties it holds and the many layers of support it offers to us humans.
2012
Zen Shiatsu Course {Australian Shiatsu College, Melbourne}. This study opened up another level of understanding and connection to the body, the energetics, and philosophies based on Traditional Chinese Medicine. Consequently the same year, I specialised in pregnancy massage, high risk pregnancy and postpartum massage care with the UK renowned practitioner and teacher, Suzanne Yates. Every times she comes to Melbourne, I’m there doing my refresher course!
The same year I also became a Certified Infant & Pediatric Massage Instructor through IMIS {Infant Massage Information Centre} at the Royal Children Hospital in Melbourne.
2015
I embarked my birth doula training course with the magnificent melbourne based doula mentor and independent childbirth educator Rhea Dempsey.
In the middle of my doula course I birthed my beautiful son, Kalén. I believe my/our birth story is of authentic truth, of strength and of honouring my wishes: freedom of informed choice and continuity of care with my health care providers.
Master Class in Traditional East-West Cupping with Bruce Bently from Health Traditions. During this course I fell in love with flame cupping! The therapeutics of this health modality is fascinating.
2016
2017
Started Volunteering with Birth for Humankind. A non for profit organization that offers volunteer Doula birth and postnatal support to refugees, asylum seekers and socially disadvantaged people in metropolitan Melbourne.
2017
Spinning Babies Workshop in person held in Melbourne.
2017
DONA International Certified Birth Doula course. Lead by the great Jenn Fontaine from Canada, held in Melbourne as a pilot program for culturally diverse and trauma-informed Doula practice created by BirthForHumanKind.
2019
Certified Optimal Maternal Positioning a.k.a. OMP taught by the influential and knowledgeable Ginny Phang-Davey in person in Melbourne.
2020
The year that humanity will never forget. I was fortunate to be able to attend my Lamaze childbirth education course held in Melbourne in February. Throughout this challenging year, I studied a lot! (and FYI drawing and painting watercolour dragons).
2021
Level 1 Ili Ili Hot Stone Massage training course … Since then I incorporate hot stones in all treatments.
2021
Childbirth Physiology Online Course taught by Midwife and Researcher Dr. Rachael Reed. I am also part of ‘Reclaiming Childbirth Collective’ monthly forum. An online hub where we learn from Rachel and can ask questions and share amongst birth workers globally.
A highly valuable, safe & trustworthy resource these days for our community.
2023
Rebozo and Cerrada de Huesos/Closing of the Bones with tradicional mexican midwife Naolí Vinaver. This special workshop was held in Kyneton, Melbourne. Personally, it was a dream come true to be receiving Naolí indigenous knowledge and experience. She’s a special soul to me because she sparked the beginning of my birth path back in 2011.
2023 - 2024
Trauma-Informed Foundation Training with Collective being. Trauma-Informed Yoga Foundations with Yoga for HumanKind. Polyvagal-informed movement therapy with the ‘incredible and inspiring’ Dr. Amber Gray. Attending Amber’s workshops in how I understand trauma.
Thank you Amber for the work you do in helping others and for passing on your knowledge and wise experienced to people such myself.
I believe giving birth exceeds the unlimited thoughts of capability in all realms: spiritual, physical, and mental. It also shows the imprint of birth is a collective experience.
It’s my commitment as a doula, to advocate for changes that need to happen within the birth system. Continuity of care in the public sector, inclusiveness of race and gender and most of all, making sure people, all people, know what their choices are, from a knowledge and trusted based not from a medical fear based. I want each of you to know their authentic pregnancy and birth journey by being an active participant of it all.
It’s my role, commitment and responsibility as your doula and massage therapist, to make sure this is part of your pregnancy and birth journey.
If you feel as you don’t fit into this world It is because you are here to create a better one.
— “ Author unknown “