Anna Verwaal, RN, CLE, is a Maternal-Child Health Nurse, Conscious Conception and Birth Consultant, Midwifery & Doula Instructor, Pre & Perinatal Educator, UCLA Certified Lactation Educator and former birth photographer.
After a long career in various obstetrical, pediatric, NICU and home-health settings in different countries & cultures she preferred to work with families and babies privately and started her own practice in Los Angeles.
Because of her personal as well as professional experiences, she became very interested in the longterm effects of the conception, pregnancy and birth experience at an early age. A chance meeting in the mid 90’s with birth-psychologist Dr. David Chamberlain, one of APPPAH’s founding fathers confirmed what she had become to believe that, ’babies remember birth’. She has been a member and supporter of the Association of Pre and Perinatal Psychology and Health ever since. (www.birthpsychology.com)
From 2000 until 2006 she studied and apprenticed with Hohepa Delamere also known as Papa Joe, the well known and respected indigenous Maori “Tohunga” and renowned healer and midwife from New Zealand. Together they treated many clients for fertility, pregnancy and birth related issues in New Zealand, Holland and the United States, and taught workshops to birth professionals, therapists and body workers about the traditional Maori approach to conception, pregnancy and birth and various indigenous healing techniques.
Since 2006 Anna lectures around the world about the longterm effects of the pre & perinatal period and how birth imprints show up in our lives, as well as the history of obstetrics, hormonal physiology of childbirth, breastfeeding & bonding, and the psychological, emotional and spiritual aspects of birth. Combining APPPAH’ latest research and findings with a wealth of international experience, professional knowledge, indigenous wisdom and sensitive photography, she is on a passionate quest to help transform the future of childbirth and the way babies are welcomed into the world.
She currently lives in the Netherlands and has an online practice helping clients understand their pre & perinatal experiences and supporting professionals of all walks of life in working with early imprints.