Brana Ninkov
Born in Serbia, I lived in Greece, Germany and Holland before arriving to San Diego, California. Moving around a lot has enhanced my understanding and appreciation for different languages, people and cultures. We may be different in many aspects, but I believe that deep in our essence we all have love for humanity, and strive for love, joy and compassion.
I gave birth to my first child in 2012. Although that experience was deeply challenging, shattering and traumatic, healing from it sparked power, transformation, spirituality, and most importantly awaked my love and passion for birth and all birthing people.
The birth of my daughter, 5 years later, deepened my trust in birth.
IT taught me the true act of surrender and the importance of safety, respect and autonomy surrounding all aspects of birth.
Naturally, the births of my own children have informed my passion for birth, but ultimately my journey continues to be deepened by each family I support.
I believe in sacredness of coming into parenthood and want to protect it, so that it can unfold in an undisturbed way, as much as possible, and this includes pregnancy, birth, and the ever-so- vulnerable postpartum period. I also believe that the birthing person is the only one who has the authority to make decisions about their body and their baby because I know that those decision will be the best ones for them at that given moment. This leaves no space for judgment; only support and respect.
OUR AREAS OF EXPERIENCE
Hospital birth; Midwife-assisted home birth; Unassisted birth; Physiological unmedicated birth; Planned and unplanned Cesarean birth; Induction; High intervention and high-risk birth; twin birth; VBAC, Breastfeeding, Exclusively Pumping, Formula Feeding, Combo feeding
Every birth I support is vastly different from the other, and in its own way mind-blowing and life-altering.
And every postpartum family I support teaches me that there is not one right way to settle into parenthood, but that everyone can, with some support, find their way to smooth-sailing. I am extremely honored each time I am invited to witness birth and to care for a family caring for their baby during the early postpartum period. Every experience reassures me that I am on the right path and knowing that I played a role in supporting a person to have their best birth and smooth postpartum period, makes the long, sleepless nights feel effortless, and oh, so worth it.
I am so thankful to be doing what I am!
I currently live in Los Angeles, with my two children, Liam(12) and Chloe(7). We enjoy exploring this diverse city and finding endless gems it provides. I love spending my free time with my family and friends, cooking, meditating, being outdoors, and whenever I can, traveling!
Trainings And Education
Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy Training- The Embody Lab 2021
Early Concerns in Infant Feeding and Milk Transfer- Dr. Jack Newman 2020
Lumos Transforms: Embodied Trauma and Resilience Toolkit- 2019
The Art Of Sacred Postpartum and Mother Roasting- in training
Certified Lactation Educator Counselor- UCSD 2018
Spinning Babies Workshop- Nicole Morales 2017
Beyond the Swaddle- Advanced Postpartum Doula Training with Becca Gordon 2016
Hypnobirthing- Alisha Tamburri 2016
Postpartum Doula Training- DONA International 2016
Supporting Fetal and Infant Loss- Return to Zero 2016
Breastfeeding Full Circle-Dr. Jack Newman 2016
Protecting the Mother-Baby Dyad: Innovation in Maternity Care- MFCI Symposium 2015
Beyond the Hip Sqeeze- Advanced Birth Doula Training with Becca Gordon 2015
Science of Oxytocin- Michel Odent MD 2015
Masters of Science in Nursing- UCLA
Birth Doula Training- DONA International
Child Birth Education- DONA International
Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology- SDSU