April Cañete Pavlish, MPH
(she/her/hers)

Photo by Laurence Cruz

I’m a Jersey girl with Filipino roots. My love languages are food that evokes fond memories, dancing, and laughter that makes you cry. I have a background in public health (specifically reproductive and sexual health), am a licensed Zumba® instructor, and live in Jersey City with my partner, kiddo, and senior rescue dog.

In April 2016, I became inspired by doula work after attending a Dancing for Birth instructor training, where I learned about the connection between movement and birth. As the only non-doula, I felt a special energy and warmth from being surrounded by some of the most compassionate people I had ever met. One year later, my own journey to motherhood began. I had a doula when I gave birth to my daughter - nicknamed “morningstar” in her newborn days - and though labor did not begin as I had hoped, my doula helped me come out the other side feeling positive and proud of my experience. I knew I wanted to serve others in that same way.

 
“I know for sure I would not have had the positive birth experience without her, and I highly recommend her. She was also as much, if not more, of a resource for my nervous husband (first time dad), and encouraged him to be an amazing advocate for me.”
— AC
 

Photo by Laurence Cruz

As a non-judgmental companion, I offer evidence-based education, my experiences in supporting over 100 families, and emotional/physical support to help expecting families understand their options and feel confident in making decisions that are best for them. I bring a calm and uplifting presence to the birth and postpartum period so that clients feel safe, listened to, and able to trust in their body and intuition. It is an honor to be part of the “village” working to ensure that folks recognize their inherent power throughout the childbearing journey, particularly for BIPOC/People of the Global Majority and LGBTQ+ communities.

In addition to doula work, I am a certified lactation support counselor, and certified as a Body Ready Method® Pro to better support clients in preparing their bodies throughout pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. I am also a childbirth educator for Manhattan Birth’s Comprehensive Childbirth Prep class, and a mentor in their Doula Mentorship Program.

There are kind words from the families I’ve supported throughout my site, and you can read more about working with me through testimonials here and here.

Education and Certifications

  • Certified Body Ready Method® Pro, 2023 Cohort

  • Childbirth Educator Training, April 2021 - Trained by Erika Davis, Whole Body Pregnancy

  • Certified Lactation Support Counselor, December 2020 - Trained by Lea Rivera Todaro, MA, IBCLC

  • Walking with Whitney for Doulas, May 2020 - Trained by Whitney Burke

  • Lactation Basics for Doulas, September 2019 - Trained by Tanya Wills

  • Bradley Childbirth Education 8-Week Course, Audited Participant, June-July 2019 - Manhattan Birth

  • Comforting Touch for Birth and Postpartum Doulas, March 2019 - Trained by Yiska Obadia

  • Supporting LGBTQ+ Families in Birth and Postpartum, January 2019 - Trained by Morgane Richardson

  • Manhattan Birth Mentorship Program, 2018-2020 - Mentored by Myla Flores, LCCE, CD(DONA), CLC and MB team

  • Birth Doula Training, October 2017 - Trained by Kimberleigh Weiss-Lewit, Birth Arts International

  • Dancing For Birth™ Level 1 Workshop, April 2016 - Trained by Stephanie Larson, Founder

  • MPH in Reproductive and Family Health, May 2012 - Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health