Biography

Koyuki Smith, who gave birth to her first child in December 2007, has found great joy and fulfillment in pregnancy, childbirth, and mothering. In her work as a doula, childbirth educator, and early parenting consultant, she hopes to help create the same joy and fulfillment for other mothers and families.

Koyuki holds a BA in English Literature from Columbia University and an MA in Teaching English in Secondary Schools from Columbia Teachers College. Before entering the field of childbirth, she taught in public secondary schools in Harlem and Washington Heights for eight years. While working as a classroom teacher, she also worked with Teach for America and the New York City Teaching Fellows, selecting and training new teachers with the goal of providing high-quality education to under-served communities.

Koyuki is a certified labor doula (DONA), childbirth educator (Lamaze), lactation counselor (Healthy Children Project/ALPP), and babywearing consultant (Die Trageschule Dresden). She works with mothers and their partners to provide compassionate, intelligent support on their journeys towards gentle, joyful, and healthy birthing and parenting experiences. In addition to doula services, Koyuki also provides classes and consultation on topics including childbirth education, newborn care, breastfeeding, babywearing, cloth diapering, and elimination communication.