We are so grateful to have worked with Christina. When we got pregnant with our first child, we knew we wanted a natural, peaceful birth and Christina helped support our vision every step of the way. In the prenatal visits, she helped us discover our ideal birth scenario and provided us with resources (visualizations, books, audio recordings) to help support our preferences. She helped prepare us for the many decisions of pregnancy, labor & delivery and newborn care, so we could make the best choices for our family.
When our son's birth arrived, Christina was amazing. She was right there from my initial contractions to post-birth. She knew just how and when to jump in, but also when to give both me and my husband our space. Christina reminded my husband and I focus on one another and the incredible event happening to us. She is very familiar with Marin General which helped us navigate our admission and get comfortable in the hospital space. She gave good suggestions on different positions to minimize my pain while also ensuring my labor progressed. With her help, we had a beautiful, all natural birth.
Afterward, Christina followed up with us and came to visit our new baby multiple times. She even gave our baby a cranial sacral treatment and came back to give me a much needed postpartum massage.
I can't say enough good things about Christina. She is incredibly conscientious and caring. She is a wonderful, calming doula and a talented masseuse. I highly recommend her.
Lisa R, Tiburon
Christina was my birth doula and I have also seen her for regular prenatal and now postpartum massage sessions for several months.
I cannot say enough positive words about what Christina's unique presence brought to me during my pregnancy, labor preparation, and birth experience.
I didn't think I needed, or even wanted, a birth doula, but about half way through my pregnancy (my first) I realized that giving birth was a big enough deal that I wanted a presence involved who was both more knowledgeable than I am, and specifically very calm. Christina brought both of these elements beautifully to my birth preparation and delivery experience, and I'm so thankful.
The labor and birth preparation and training discussions Christina had with my husband and me in the months leading up to the birth of our daughter prompted us to surface and address topics that we wouldn't have otherwise-- and I am so thankful for the discussions we had surrounding the physical, mental, and emotional elements, and the significant relationship impact, of bringing a baby through your body and into your family. Christina was always supportive of my choices about how I wanted my delivery experience to go, including who I did and did not want present, and the fact that I wanted to have epidural medication when appropriate.
Leading up to the delivery of our daughter, who arrived 10 days post due, Christina was a daily presence, checking in with me and offering advice and encouragement during that stressful and uncomfortable time. She was by my side at our house less than an hour after we called her the night I went into what ended up being a very fast and furious labor experience. My husband and I were grateful to have her as an experienced guide through the hospital and its staff, and I know she relieved stress for both of us during those at times chaotic hours. Her expert hands helped me physically handle the final pushing stage of the delivery when my epidural meds were wearing off.
Now I realize that the first few months (and I would guess years?) of having a baby in your life is still a very physical time, and I look forward to treating myself to massages with Christina postpartum just as much as I did when I was feeling the aches and pains of pregnancy. And I look forward to seeing her and spending time in her presence-- she holds a very special place in my life, and in the life of my baby girl. I can't imagine anyone better in that role.
Corey H- Kentfield, CA
Christina was such a wonderful part of my birth experience and preparation. From the first consultation to the final post-baby visit she was with me every step of the way. I was so relieved during my labor to have someone like Christina around to advocate for me when I couldn't advocate for myself. She was sure to reinforce to the doctors, midwives and nurses that I wanted an all natural birth. She set up such a peaceful space for me to labor in at the hospital (which is typically a very sterile and cold environment). She kept the room quiet, dark and calm when things started to feel a little more anxious. I loved having her there with me. I truly feel like she was one of the best things about my birth (other than my sweet munchkin of corse). I labored on the toilet in a deep meditation in the beginning and Christina dropped into a meditation with me. With no words and no movement I felt so warm and safe knowing she was right there with me. I knew that with someone so in touch with me, everything was going to be fine. She assisted me into my tub which was set up in my hospital room. She was sure to not overstep, but also make sure I knew she was there. I felt so so so comfortable knowing she was right beside me. After several hours, the doctors started messing with the monitor on my belly and telling me I had to get out of the tub and onto the bed to check my dilation. Christina bought me time and supported my wishes to stay in the tub as long as possible. I had practiced hypno-birthing and Christina supported me with creating and keeping a calm environment. When the doctors started losing the baby's heart rate on the monitor they started clearing the room to get my bed out and prep me for a c-section. She calmly spoke to me and recommended I get on all fours and keep laboring there. I turned around on my bed and in two pushes I was officially a mama! Baby Sofia came out healthy and amazing. She had the umbilical cord wrapped over her shoulder like a purse which was getting constructed while I was pushing, making the monitors go off and alarm the nurses. Christina stayed calm and kept the room mellow. She was my savior! We still keep in touch and I will never forget the love and support she brought to my life when I needed it the most. I know my birth experience was enhanced because of her. I love Christina very much and am so very thankful to have had the privilege of sharing my birth experience with her.
Kristina- Corta Madera, Ca
Christina was my doula for the birth of my first child and I can't say enough positive things about working with her! Christina's knowledge and strong,nurturing and soothing energy were invaluable during my pregnancy and during the birth. I would recommend hiring her on early in your pregnancy - I appreciated the extra meetings and found her input just as helpful at different stages of pregnancy as during birth. During my pregnancy she helped me to connect with the baby on a deeper level and provided excellent support by answering my questions, loaning me books, discussing my well-being and providing prenatal massage. I feel so positive about my birth experience and feel that I owe a lot of that to Christina. She was able to handle everything that both I and the hospital threw her way - she's very resourceful! Christina is such a gem - exactly who you want on your "birth team" and the best massage therapist as well!
Emily, San Rafael, CA
Where do i begin? I actually found Christina on Yelp when I was looking for prenatal massage during my second pregnancy. And as luck would have it, all the good reviews pointed me in the right direction! (Thanks, Yelpers.) Christina is a good listener; she has a warm presence & an intuitive touch. She was able to gauge the perfect amount of pressure in accordance with my needs. She also practiced craniosacral work on me & I must admit, I felt wonderful afterwards. I ended up seeing her regularly throughout my pregnancy, & she helped keep me feeling as-good-as-could-be. She also did the placenta encapsulation for us once the baby was born, which I know was one of the things that contributed to my postpartum well-being. (She even made a pretty piece of placental artwork!) Almost six months postpartum, I am still seeing Christina regularly & she helps soothe my aches & pains as my body comes back to life. My husband even started seeing her too! We always look forward to the weekend we have a massage scheduled. It's a luxury but we figure it's less expensive than going to the doctor! We are grateful for Christina & her healing touch.
Rachel, Ross
Christina is a phenomenal healer and body worker. Her sensitivity, warmth, and extensive knowledge of both hands-on and energetic work offers a balanced and custom-tailored session. I left my session wit Christina feeling relaxed, energized, and happy! She has wisdom in her hands~
Michelle B, Oakland
We love Christina! Christina is one of the most gifted massage practitioners I've come across. My wife and I have each had two massages with her so far and we agree... she is amazing! We are planning to go back in a few weeks again. I can only say good things about her- she is sweet, intuitive, and calm. She really knows how to find what is going on in your body and make you feel great, and that's all I really need to say, right? I'd recommend Christina's massage services to anyone!
Melissa, San Rafael
I just received a wonderful pre-natal massage from Christina. It was heavenly! Her touch and style were just what I needed and she was completely open to whatever I asked for (more/less pressure, different parts of the body being focused on, etc.). Christina is very calm, sweet and has great energy. I only wish I could have had a longer massage!
Julie, Mill Valley
I've received 2 massages from Christina in the last few months. She is very present, attuned, nurturing, strong, and intuitive, and I will certainly return for more work. I am also a massage therapist, and as a practitioner I can highly recommend Christina for her massage and craniosacral therapy.
Daniella, Fairfax
Christina is a gifted healer. She can work deeply to effect change in chronic muscular tension holding patterns with massage. She can also use cranial sacral therapy for more subtle but profoundly deep unwinding of stress or trauma from the body. She is intuitive, perceptive, and skilled at listening to the body and such a loving presence. As a midwife and massage therapist myself I highly recommend her.
Kristen, Berkeley
I used Christina's post-partum placenta encapsulation services, which made such a huge difference. She offers a choice of raw or Chinese Medicine preparation, and makes the capsules and tinctures according to what you want. The capsules made a huge difference for my energy and moods, so they were a saving grace in the healing process. We have enough of a tincture and essence to last a lifetime, too! Lastly, the art projects she makes with the placenta are very sweet memories. She was timely, professional, and sweet. I could tell she imbued her medicine with all of her grounding energy.