Birth and Parenting Philosophy
I believe in you. I believe in your body's innate power to birth, and that every parent deserves meaningful, loving, and competent care. I believe you deserve heartfelt and evidence based lactation care based on your own wants and needs.
I have a deep respect for the decisions of my clients, whether that means opting for medication or not. Obstetrical technology can and does save lives, but I also recognize that in many circumstances natural, unmedicated birth is safest for baby and birthing person, and leads to an easier time breastfeeding or chestfeeding.
I also believe in the power of an evidenced based education and the undeniable right of informed consent- which is nothing without informed refusal.
Birth and lactation have the potential of being profoundly transformative and spiritual, no matter where it takes place and no matter who is in attendance. If you have a partner/husband/wife it can take your relationship to an amazing new level.
All birthing people, mothers, and fathers should have their babies in whatever setting makes them most comfortable. That can be hospital, birth center, home, or other safe space. I believe you should be surrounded with loving care at your birth and I am in full support of your partner, husband, wife, children, extended family, birth photographer, etc being with you during it.
All lactating and human milk feeding people should have access to breastfeeding counseling and chestfeeding counseling. Whether you feed your baby from your body directly, do exclusive pumping, or do any form of combo feeding, I want to help you reach your goals and wishes.
This is your baby. This is your birth. This is your lactation story and parenting journey.
I have a deep respect for the decisions of my clients, whether that means opting for medication or not. Obstetrical technology can and does save lives, but I also recognize that in many circumstances natural, unmedicated birth is safest for baby and birthing person, and leads to an easier time breastfeeding or chestfeeding.
I also believe in the power of an evidenced based education and the undeniable right of informed consent- which is nothing without informed refusal.
Birth and lactation have the potential of being profoundly transformative and spiritual, no matter where it takes place and no matter who is in attendance. If you have a partner/husband/wife it can take your relationship to an amazing new level.
All birthing people, mothers, and fathers should have their babies in whatever setting makes them most comfortable. That can be hospital, birth center, home, or other safe space. I believe you should be surrounded with loving care at your birth and I am in full support of your partner, husband, wife, children, extended family, birth photographer, etc being with you during it.
All lactating and human milk feeding people should have access to breastfeeding counseling and chestfeeding counseling. Whether you feed your baby from your body directly, do exclusive pumping, or do any form of combo feeding, I want to help you reach your goals and wishes.
This is your baby. This is your birth. This is your lactation story and parenting journey.
Meet Cindy Terranova
MSEd, IBCLC, RLC, CPDT, CD, CBE
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Personal Experience
My husband and I have a beautiful, blended family with seven children. In addition to my two wonderful step-children, I have personally had five amazing births. Each of my births were unique, and I nursed each of them, with the last four children full-term nursing from 2.5-5 years old.
My first son was born in the spring of 2006 in the hospital. He was a late term preemie, coming at 35 weeks, five days gestation, and was in the NICU a few days. I needed lots of help with lactation with a pre-term baby and also used formula. If this is your journey too, know I support you!
My second son was born in late 2007 at 39 weeks in an accidental unassisted birth in the car on the way to the hospital. For his birth I hired an amazing doula.
My older daughter was born in late 2010, just shy of 40 weeks in a midwife attended planned home waterbirth. My sons were asleep in their beds.
My youngest daughter came into the world through homebirth in the spring of 2014. Her older brother and sister were able to witness the birth and my middle son woke shortly after to meet his littlest sister. For both my daughter's births I hired birth photographers- and couldn't be happier we did.
My youngest son was born when I was 42 years old and gave me a lot of firsts. It was my longest pregnancy to date, and he surprised us all by staying put until 41 weeks and 5 days. I was considered to be of advanced maternal age, and until we helped turn him he'd spent a few weeks breech in his third trimester. While I had some complications that very nearly resulted in a hospital transfer, my little guy was born at home as planned.
I'm also a six time Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) survivor and not a stranger to pregnancy loss. My husband and I suffered a miscarriage before our last son joined us. If you are also part of the 1 in 4, know you are not alone.
Having such varied personal experiences with births and lactation gives me unique perspective and enriches the instruction and services I offer.
My first son was born in the spring of 2006 in the hospital. He was a late term preemie, coming at 35 weeks, five days gestation, and was in the NICU a few days. I needed lots of help with lactation with a pre-term baby and also used formula. If this is your journey too, know I support you!
My second son was born in late 2007 at 39 weeks in an accidental unassisted birth in the car on the way to the hospital. For his birth I hired an amazing doula.
My older daughter was born in late 2010, just shy of 40 weeks in a midwife attended planned home waterbirth. My sons were asleep in their beds.
My youngest daughter came into the world through homebirth in the spring of 2014. Her older brother and sister were able to witness the birth and my middle son woke shortly after to meet his littlest sister. For both my daughter's births I hired birth photographers- and couldn't be happier we did.
My youngest son was born when I was 42 years old and gave me a lot of firsts. It was my longest pregnancy to date, and he surprised us all by staying put until 41 weeks and 5 days. I was considered to be of advanced maternal age, and until we helped turn him he'd spent a few weeks breech in his third trimester. While I had some complications that very nearly resulted in a hospital transfer, my little guy was born at home as planned.
I'm also a six time Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) survivor and not a stranger to pregnancy loss. My husband and I suffered a miscarriage before our last son joined us. If you are also part of the 1 in 4, know you are not alone.
Having such varied personal experiences with births and lactation gives me unique perspective and enriches the instruction and services I offer.
My Professional Experience
Over the past fifteen years I have helped hundreds of families on their journey to and through parenthood. I've done it all- from Lactation Consultations as an IBCLC, giving free non-profit breastfeeding and chestfeeding help as an accredited La Leche League Leader, to teaching Lactation Classes and speaking at breastfeeding conferences, to teaching couples in group or private Evidence Based Birth®, Bradley Method and natural childbirth classes, to acting as a birth doula, even to mentoring other birth professionals. This is my passion. This is what I love to do. Thank you for considering inviting me to be part of your journey.
More About me...
I am a life long student and self-titled birth and lactation nerd, conference junkie, and all around hippie-leaning geeky woman. I love Doctor Who, Steampunk, doing community theater, knitting, and I’m interested in all things holistic and natural parenting. I volunteer as a Trustee for Ridge and Valley Charter School, and I'm a founding member and on the council of Steampunk Alchemy.
I am a non-judgmental queer-identifying LGBTQIA+ birth worker. Racial, social, polyamory, and gender justice with a focus on the birthing world are passions of mine. I am always learning and open to learning more. I truly care about your comfort and helping you on your journey into parenthood.
I am so passionate about birthkeeping and lactation for all, and I feel completely honored to be able to help families during one of the most amazing, life-changing milestones they’ll ever experience.
I am a non-judgmental queer-identifying LGBTQIA+ birth worker. Racial, social, polyamory, and gender justice with a focus on the birthing world are passions of mine. I am always learning and open to learning more. I truly care about your comfort and helping you on your journey into parenthood.
I am so passionate about birthkeeping and lactation for all, and I feel completely honored to be able to help families during one of the most amazing, life-changing milestones they’ll ever experience.
Board Certification
- International Board Certified Lactation Consultant; L-301310
Professional Experience
- Doula Trainer & Educator, Doula Trainings International
- Poppy Seed Health Advocate, Poppy Seed Health
- Certified Professional Doula Trainer, Birth Arts International
- Evidence Based Birth® Instructor, Evidence Based Birth®
- Certified Professional Doula Trainer, Birth Arts International
- Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth Instructor and Doula, AAHCC
- La Leche League International, Leader, LLLI
- Tinkergarten Leader, Tinkergarten
- Doula, Doula Trainer, Childbirth Instructor, Owner, Tree of Life Wellness Services, LLC
Professional Memberships
- 2021-present: United States Lactation Consultant Association
- 2020-present: International Lactation Consultant Association
- 2015-present: Evidence Based Birth; Professional Member
- 2014-present: Human Rights in Childbirth; Founding Supporter
- 2013-present: Childbirth U; Founding Member
- 2011-present; Attachment Parenting International; Member
- 2010-present: New Jersey Breastfeeding Coalition
- 2005-present: La Leche League International; Member
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I specialize in natural births, and I enjoy working with all genders, sexes, and types of families.