I am Angela Leon Ramos, Certified Professional Midwife and first generation Mexican-American born and raised in Los Angeles.
Would you believe I found out my paternal grandmother was a midwife in Mexico, only AFTER I had decided to become one? It was a powerful sign that I was on the right path. I felt I was being guided and that midwifery runs through my veins.
I have spent the last decade working in maternal health specifically with pregnant women going through domestic violence, substance abuse, and mental health issues with local non-profit organizations in Los Angeles. I am also a birth and postpartum doula, lactation educator, and a placenta encapsulation specialist.
Most importantly, I am a mother to two children and they have taught me my biggest motherhood lessons. When I'm off call, I enjoy sleeping, my family, going to the beach, traveling, visiting family in the Dominican Republic, going to Tijuana, dancing Bachata and Banda, learning about herbs, watching movies, and Disneyland.
Angela Leon Ramos
CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL MIDWIFE
TRANSFORMATION
Pregnancy is a time of transformation with your changing body and growing baby. You have many questions about everything, and lots of feelings as you prepare. Whether this is your first or your third baby, every pregnancy and birth is unique. You have a right to feel transformed, listened to, respected, validated, and supported. We are here to serve YOU and your partner’s transformation during your childbearing year, guiding your process every step of the way.
UNBIASED INFORMATION
It is important to me that you have access to evidence-based research and information without bias. Prenatal care requires a lot of decisions about tests, procedures and options. You are empowered and encouraged to make the best choices for you, your birth and your baby based on your research and intuition. I do not push agendas or make you feel like one choice is the right or best choice. YOU and your partner decide any and all elements of your midwifery care.
INFORMED CONSENT
It is our priority to provide the information you need during prenatal care in a way that it will be understood, acknowledged, explored, and decided. You will always have the opportunity and time to ask questions, discuss and consider any laboratory exam, procedure, testing, and decisions such as who will be present at your birth. Nothing will be done without your consent and approval. Your midwife will not touch you without your consent and approval.
> read more about the Midwifery Model of Care.
INDIVIDUALIZED CARE
I recognize that your life path, culture, personal and health history shape your experience and perspective. I tailor my midwifery and health care based on not just your physical health, but who you are as a whole person. My goal is for you to take ownership of your care and make decisions to support a healthy pregnancy and birth.
INCLUSION
I want you to know that this home birth midwifery practice is a safe and inclusive place. I do not discriminate based on your sexual orientation, race, gender identity, traditions, and/or religious affiliation. It is important to me to provide accessible care to communities that feel marginalized and underrepresented. I am here to walk with you. To respect you. You can find the support you need here.
SAFETY
Your safety is my priority as a midwife - both in your life, and with me as your primary care provider. I believe there is a midwife for everyone - it's important to me that we are a good fit. Pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum are an intimate time and feeling safe is key. As a Certified Professional Midwife I am committed to healthy, normal, and low-risk pregnancy and birth. This means that I will not put any person’s body and baby at risk, and I refer to other community practitioners should the need arise.
Homebirth Midwifery Care
Initial Cita and Prenatal Visits
We begin care at Alumbra Midwifery with an initial appointment (or cita) to review your medical history, an initial physical exam and labs, and explore your ideal birth vision and plans. We want to make sure you're a healthy candidate for a home birth and that you meet low risk qualifications.
All of your prenatal citas will take place in the comfort of your home. At each visit (about one hour long) I will answer your questions, provide information on your pregnancy, nutrition, and wellness, and offer labs as needed. We also check your urine, vitals, and palpate and measure your belly to check for fetal growth and position. In your third trimester, we’ll make a birth plan together.
Prenatal citas are great time to check in with you and family. Anyone you'd like to have present during your cita is welcomed to be there. You will also receive unlimited support by phone and email throughout your whole care with Alumbra Midwifery.
Your Homebirth
While in active labor, we will arrive to your home calmly and prepared with our midwifery equipment. Our birth bag has all of the essential midwifery tools needed to have a safe home birth. You will receive a list of items to prepare for your homebirth. Upon arrival, we will listen to your baby’s heart tones and check your vitals to make sure that your homebirth is within low risk limits. It is quite possible that there will be a birth assistant and or another second licensed midwife available during your homebirth.
During active labor, depending on your needs, as your midwife, I may be very hands on supporting you throughout your labor or I may be very hands off if you don’t want any talking, touch, or support. It is also great to consider who will be your support person during this phase of labor. Your midwifery team will support your choices either way. We also offer waterbirth as an option. It provides pain relief and relaxation during active labor. We will have a pool available for you if you’re interested.
Once the baby is born, we make sure that you and your baby are transitioning well. We help initiate breastfeeding, if desired. I will stay up to 4 hours to make sure that you and your baby are bonding well and taken care of. Your newborn exam will get done a couple hours after the birth so that you have time to latch and bond with your baby first. This happens on your bed without taking your baby away anywhere. Your transition to parenthood is important to us!
Postpartum Care for You & Baby
Alumbra Midwifery believes that the postpartum period is extremely important. We want you to feel guided and cared for during this time. Our postpartum visits are as follows: 24hrs after the birth, 3 days, 7 days, 2 weeks, and 6 weeks. At these visits, we will check your overall healing, vitals, suture checks, your uterus, breasts and any breastfeeding questions, your postpartum support team and feelings, and of course overall baby’s well-being by checking vitals, diapers, and weight. At your 6 week postpartum visit, we will discuss your family planning options, provide a pap smear if desired, and close up your midwifery care with us. Your midwifery postpartum care is our priority too!
"Having Angela at our birth was one of the best decisions my husband and I could of made. If it weren't for her I don't think I would have been able to go through an all natural birth like I wanted, but her words, exercises, and her rebozo made me feel more calm and empowered."
- Anabel Guerrero
"Above and beyond! Exceeded all my expectations. Thanks to her guidance I was able have a beautiful postpartum. The closing of the bones was an amazing unforgettable experience. Thank you for being an advocate for many women out there whom are unaware of their rights as mothers."
- Mayra Gonzalez-Sanchez
"Without Angela as my doula in both pregnancies I would've most likely had two cesarean births. Placenta encapsulation went smoothly and helped me fight postpartum depression and milk supply. She will be at all my births in the future!"
- Stephanie Leon
Placenta Encapsulation
The placenta is an amazing organ that not only helps our babies grow, but it is available to help you during your postpartum period. The placenta is an essential part of the postpartum period in many cultures and it’s used to help the birthing person recover from their childbirth.
Alumbra Midwifery has encapsulated more than 200 placentas in the last 10 years and has seen many clients benefit from placenta encapsulation. Many clients have reported lower postpartum bleeding, more energy, increased breast milk supply, helped with postpartum baby blues and reduce signs and symptoms of postpartum depression, reduce anemia and iron deficiency, and overall has helped with their postpartum transition.
Closing of the Bones
During your 6 week postpartum visit, we will close your pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum experience by providing the closing of the bones ceremony. This is a sacred Mexican ceremony done by traditional midwives in Mexico. It is believed to close up your chapter of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. It has even helped some of my clients close emotionally and physically from miscarriages, abortions, conceiving new pregnancies. This ceremony is believed to help you transition to parenthood and let your body move forward. A rebozo is used for this and it is gifted to you after the ceremony.
included in your midwifery care!
Well Person Care
At Alumbra Midwifery, we aim to provide services that will help with your overall health and your well being before, during, and after your pregnancy. Our well person care includes pap smears, STD testing, HIV testing, fertility advice, medical history review, sexual health questions and concerns and providing referrals to services needed outside of our practice. Our visits will be led by you and your needs. Every step of the way, we will not proceed without your consent.
REBOZOS for SALE
Rebozo Me Tenderly by Angela Leon is an important offering of Alumbra Midwifery. I have been selling Mexican rebozos since 2009, and ship them throughout the United States and to other countries. Our stock is always changing as we handpick our rebozos personally from our Mexican vendors from Oaxaca. Usually our rebozos all sell out the same weekend that they get posted on our Facebook page.
If you want to buy a rebozo, please follow our facebook page to learn of the next sale or send us an email at info@alumbramidwifery.com!