Our Story
Hi, my name is
Myla Flores (she/her)
I’m a full spectrum doula on a mission to improve maternal care in NYC. I began as a doula in 2006, and have since become a leader and visionary in the birth field, building a suite of community programs where people can access safe, informed reproductive care pre-, during, and post-pregnancy. I recently launched Womb Bus, an innovation of a mobile wellness hub, bringing essential education, resources, and outreach to blossoming families - serving as a vehicle to increase awareness and provide services in preparation for The Birthing Place, a future birth center offering midwifery-led collaborative care. I act from the perspective that when we bring our most marginalized to the center, care as a whole improves for all people.
My experience as birth doula, postpartum doula, birth assistant, childbirth educator, lactation counselor and mentor to many, informs my drive and approach to bring loving and holistic care to the families I serve as a doula, and those who I have had the honor to educate. As an impactful community organizer, I’m proud to strengthen and build with such an amazing circle of professionals who also support gentle birth and postpartum, breastfeeding, and reproductive health justice. I am grateful to grow more influential in maternal health care, and hope to help pave a way for today’s generation of birthworkers to have more support, sustenance and community as we do such valuable work together.
Trainings & Mentorships
Conscious Birth Collective, Co-Founder & Doula Mentor, 2021–Present
Neonatal Resuscitation (Recertification), Karen Strange, 2019
Spinning Babies® Certified Parent Educator, Gail Tully & Lorenza Holt, 2018
Manhattan Birth Team, Doula Mentor, 2017–Present
The Cycles of Life, Holistic Gynecology New York, Dr. Eden Fromberg, 2016
The Female Pelvis, Anatomy Trains, Thomas Myers, 2016
“Expanding Mindsets, Transforming Practices,” Teachers College, 2016
Uptown Village Cooperative, Co-founder, 2016
Spinning Babies® Workshop, Tammy Ryan, 2016
Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorder (PMAD) Screening, Seleni Institute, 2016
Neonatal Resuscitation, Karen Strange, 2015
Babywearing Educator Workshop, Gillian Foreman, 2014
Using the Rebozo Workshop, Gena Kirby, 2013
Certified Lactation Counselor, Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice, 2013
Healthy Children’s Center for Breastfeeding – 5-Day Intensive, 2013
Certified HypnoBirthing® Doula, Mongan Method, Support Techniques for Doulas, 2013
Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator, Group & Private Classes, 2012–Present
Bradley Childbirth Education Course, 8-Week Audited Participant, Tanya Wills, 2012
Birthing from Within, Mentor & Doula Workshop, 2012
Child & Infant CPR, American Red Cross, Stork & Cradle, 2012
Understanding and Supporting Vaginal Birth for Twins, 2011
Mother Health Int’l, Midwifery Symposium, Uganda, Participant & Moderator, 2011
Passion for Birth, Participant, 2011
Certified Birth Doula, CD (DONA), since 2010
DONA Birth Doula Training, Celeste Rachel, 2009
Mother Health International Team, 2008–2016
Testimonials:
“Having a doula during the birthing process was integral to making the day of my son’s birth as smooth as possible, and Myla exemplifies this. Myla was an incredibly kind, supportive guide through my pregnancy process. She helped me cut through the noise of opinions and blogs and provided the resources to know what and how to talk to my birth team (doctor, hospital, partner, etc). Pregnancy can be a roller coaster of emotions and even fears and Myla helped navigate what questions we would potentially want to ask and how to ask those questions to empower ourselves to make the right decisions. My confidence when it came time to enter into the actual birth I can absolutely attribute to Myla.
During my birth itself, Myla was there to help me have a positive experience. Whether it was soothing massage to ease labor pains at home, or just reminding me in the hospital to ask for time to think about choices that I needed to make, her focus and incredible knowledge and many years of birth experience made everything easier. I felt confident that I was making the right choices because Myla was there with me.
After the birth Myla continued to be a crucial resource. She is a lactation consultant and guided me in the breastfeeding process. In the hospital she got my supply started and helped me navigate challenges that continued once I was home
Myla’s full continuity of care from pregnancy to newborn is invaluable. I experienced curve balls throughout the entire time and was able to navigate everything and ultimately have a successful confident experience thanks to Myla.”
“Myla completely transformed our birthing experience. With her expert guidance, birthing pain was nearly meditative. She guided my partner in supporting me, provided expert touch support and helped instruct my breath through the rise and fall of contractions. She arrived promptly in my laboring and was probably the single biggest reason I felt so safe in my labor progressing quickly and birthing at home. Not to mention Myla helped us find and transition to our midwife Yuen Kwan Chan at TLC Midwifery very late in my pregnancy. Myla was the first stable element of support in place for my son’s birth, and prepared me for an experience in the hospital (our original or emergency route) and at home (our preference). Our dream birth literally could not have happened without her. How valuable it is to be able to reach your birthing team by text or have them come to you! Myla is an amazing doula. Her experience and passion really show through. I feel blessed that my husband and I serendipitously encountered her, and so lucky that we were able to have her at our side during my son’s birth (our first child). My water broke at 6:30pm and Hunter was here by 10:13pm. I felt safe and fully supported with Myla, and still do as I ease into parenting, breastfeeding and postpartum healing. My husband and I struggled with some of the financial decisions that come with birthing, but he summed up our decision to hire Myla perfectly when he said immediately after our birth experience: “Worth every penny”.
She really is a gift to moms, and has caused me to believe that everything happens exactly as it should.”