About Us

About the Birth Center of New Jersey!

The Birth Center of New Jersey and Artemis OB/GYN work together to take care of women’s health throughout their lives – from when they first start their periods to when they stop having them, and everything in between.

The seven values we want to see represented in our organization

Birth is healthy, safe and transformative. We practice generalized joy at BCNJ by recognizing this first and most important basic principle.

BCNJ is client-centered. We are nothing without our clients. Our belief is that the client and the family always come first and that the midwives and staff will be as flexible as possible when it comes to fulfilling client needs. We are humbled and awed by the chance to be involved in this sacred time in a woman’s life.

We partner with our clients and put them in charge of their own care. We see each woman as our equal. We recognize that each client is a whole person, not just a body, and through education, providing choices, and gently guiding, we offer a woman self-determination in her reproductive and birthing choices.

We are passionate and determined. Great just isn’t good enough – we want to be amazing. We want to be the best birthing center in the United States. We want every birth to be the most positive experience in a family’s life.

We have great respect for the diversity of our staff and the varied paths that have led us to this calling. We are building a positive team and family spirit among midwives, assistants, staff and teachers. We believe in the highest level of collaboration by focusing on the sharing of wisdom and utilizing each other’s knowledge and skills to provide the best fusion of care possible.

We practice a common sense blend of natural age-old midwifery wisdom and innovative state of the art, evidence-based care. We honor birth tradition while refusing to compromise our principles and accept the status quo.

We are devoted to building a strong, supportive community within which our Moms, Babies and Families will find like-minded people to help them through the unique experience of pregnancy and early parenting. Modern life can be very isolating. We strive to create an environment where no family with a new baby ever feels alone or needlessly frightened by the task ahead of them.

Providers of The Birth Center of New Jersey

Nicola Pemberton MD, FACOG, MEDICAL DIRECTOR

Nicola Pemberton, MD, is a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist who is the medical director of The Birth Center of New Jersey in Union, New Jersey.

Kasey DiVine MSN-CNM

Kasey has been dedicated to supporting pregnancy and birth since 2004. She began as a childbirth educator but soon realized that her heart was in midwifery

Talia Page CNM, RN-BSN, IBCLC

Talia Page, CNM, RN-BSN, IBCLC is a dedicated and compassionate Certified Nurse Midwife with experience in women’s health, prenatal

Certified Professional Midwives of The Birth Center of New Jersey

Dina Aurichio
LM, CPM, Director of Midwifery

Dahlyt Case-Berezinbahr
CPM, LM

What is a Doula?

A doula, also known as a birth companion, birth coach or post-birth supporter, is a non-medical person who assists a woman before, during, or after childbirth, to provide emotional support and physical help if needed. They also may provide support to the mother’s partner and family. Unlike a midwife, doulas are not medical professionals and therefore cannot administer medication. Doulas are typically certified with some courses taking over a year to complete. Practical training is involved to become certified. Continuous support during birth from a person outside the mother’s family or social circle, such as a Doula, is associated with reduced mortality rates, improved overall health of the mother and the baby, shorter labor time, reduced risk of a C-Section, and a lower need for medical interventions such as instrumental delivery or pain relief. Support from a Doula may also reduce mothers’ negative feelings about their childbirth experience. Some doulas provide postpartum support, for example assisting with housework, cooking, and offering help with learning to breast feed.

The Birth Center of New Jersey Doulas

 

Alreema Vining
DOULA
A Certified Doula under midwife Shafia Monroe and New Jersey Medicaid Doula, Alreema started her journey in 2011. She is a dedicated mother to three beautiful children and an active community member. Assisting over 100+ families, Alreema understands how much families can benefit from having additional support during all trimesters including L&D. Alreema is the founder and owner of Nurturing BayBees and Nurturing Families Two an agency targeted to families utilizing insurance including Medicaid. She has an undeniable specialty in postpartum, meal planning, cesareans, and bereavement support. Alreema prides herself on creating a nurturing environment for parents whether new or seasoned.

Bonu deCaires
DOULA
Bonu has been a doula since 2003. She is a Certified Cooperative Childbirth Educator, through the Childbirth Education Association of Metropolitan New York (CEA/MNY), and a Certified Labor Support Doula and Labor Doula Trainer, through DONA. Her educational background is in the sciences and she holds a B.A. in Biology from Amherst College and a Master's in Nutritional Science from The University of Massachusetts. She completed a year of postgraduate coursework in Anatomy and Physiology and is certified in adult/infant CPR and neonatal resuscitation. She has supported over 700 births at homes, birth centers and hospital settings.

Chena Benson-Davis
DOULA
Wife, Mother of 3, Certified Full Spectrum Doula and Owner of Butta's Holistic Services. Her love for Birthwork and holistic health came through her culturally diverse upbringing as she is a New Jersey native who was raised in St. Croix the US Virgin Islands by her family of Guyanese heritage. Being the product of a teen pregnancy and becoming a Mom at twenty years old, life threw her full force into the role of an advocate and support person for teen moms and moms of color within her community. She wholeheartedly believes that knowledge of self is key to reducing carelessness within our lives. If we understand who we are and how our body functions, we make space for education, change and healing. Her hope is that we as women can continue to host safe spaces to inform each other on the importance of holistic lifestyle changes so that we can receive the care that we deserve. We are worth far more than rubies and are powerful beyond measure! May all women believe in their magic!

Kianna Little
DOULA
Kianna Little is the owner of Earthside Village. She is a certified Birth Doula, Lactation Counselor, and certified in Placenta Encapsulation. Kianna is a mother of 2 daughters. Kianna's personal experiences with childbirth and motherhood inspired Earthside Village. Her first pregnancy was high-risk and resulted in an emergency cesarean section with lasting birth trauma. Her second birth was relatively “normal”, but she was left with a feeling of exclusion. Through her work in public health, Kianna has identified a critical need for a more supportive system for women and babies. Kianna is committed to providing education, advocacy, and empowerment to the people she serves. Kianna strongly believes it takes a village to support birth. Kianna aims to enhance the birthing experience in America through education, advocacy, and support. Kianna’s motto is simple – Your body! Your birth! Your baby! Your way!

Patricia Thomas
DOULA
Patricia is a certified birth and postpartum doula, certified childbirth educator, certified lactation counselor, and holds a master’s in human development, with a bachelor’s in public justice. She worked as a Doula Trainer with Ancient Song Doula Services and independent workshop facilitator. She thrives on being "present and available" for each family, from early pregnancy through labor and until after birth, to provide comfort, guidance, information, and emotional/physical support. She works from a person-centered approach as a part of your support team. Her perspective is that you are the expert on your body and will work with you to maintain that space. Utilizing more than 15 combined years of experience she aims to assist you in feeling in control over your process, while maintaining a calm and soothing atmosphere.

Deanna-Trott Montenegro
DOULA
Deanna is a dedicated doula with a passion for helping families during pregnancy, birth, and beyond. In 2019, she became a Birth Doula with DONA and was later certified with Pro Doula, specializing in providing personalized care to birthing individuals and families. Recently, she added Postpartum Doula with the National Black Doula Association to her credentials, expanding her expertise to support families during the postpartum period. Deanna is also a certified Pregnancy and Infant Loss Advocate, Certified Placenta Specialist, and Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED Certified. Deanna believes that everyone can have the experience they desire. Whether it is providing emotional support during labor, assisting with breastfeeding, or helping families navigate the postpartum period, Deanna provides the highest level of care and support to each person she serves.

Lynn Christensen
DOULA
Lynn has been a DONA-certified birth doula and founder/owner of Labour Day Doula Support since 2002. She is highly experienced and has supported 725 (and counting!) labors. Her philosophy in a nutshell is, “the less that is done to labor, the better it is likely to go.” Labor is hard – AND you can do it!! Lynn supports and honors your informed birth choices. She is experienced and some cases certified in many modalities which enhance and support labor including waterbirth, optimal fetal positioning, “spinning babies,” aromatherapy/essential oil use, homeopathy, Hypnobirthing, honoring the tradition and use of the rebozo, and use of TENS. Childbirth is truly a transformative experience; it is a joy and privilege to witness this profound event! In addition to being a certified doula, Lynn is a certified lactation counselor (CLC) and childbirth educator (LCCE).

Khandice Marshall
DOULA
Khandice Marshall of KhanDoulaBaby Birth Services. Is passionate about Maternal health and positive birth experiences. Her goal to support as many people as she can- from pregnancy to delivery and everything in between. She believes that childbirth is a transformative experience and, as a member of your birth team, it is her duty to use her training and education to get you to birth-day and beyond. She uses her hands and her heart when supporting families and it would be her honor to support you during such a momentous period. Certified Birth Doula - Hospital and Birth Center Experience. In addition, she has also participated in the following trainings…Postpartum Doula, Childbirth Educator Mental Health First Aider, CPR Certified

Michelle Gabriel-Caldwell
DOULA
Michelle has been the founder and owner of Baby, Please Birth Services for the past 19 years and has served 450+ families. As a certified doula and childbirth educator with The Bradley Method ® she was led to ensure birthing persons felt heard and honored. A full-time chemical engineer, she was drawn to the science of birth and became an Evidence Based Birth® Instructor and Childbirth Educator. She created her own Holistic Childbirth Class expressly for The Birth Center of NJ. In addition, she is the Doula Coordinator for BCNJ. With a focus on birth justice, Michelle is a Board Member of the Perinatal Health Equity Initiative. Having a desire to share her birth expertise, she is a doula trainer and mentor for The National Black Doula Association. A mother of two, she cannot wait to help you!

Savannah Segovia
DOULA
Savannah Segovia is a certified doula with DONA (CD). Her extensive range of skills includes being a fertility, birth and postpartum doula, holistic V-Steam practitioner, placenta encapsulator, infant massage educator, and CPR instructor. Her background as an EMT with 14 years of experience in helping mothers deliver has provided her with a unique perspective on the evolving needs of modern childbirth. She firmly believes that compassionate, knowledgeable support is essential during this time. Savannah considers every pregnancy and birth to be a miraculous event and feels honored to contribute her expertise. Savannah welcomed her own child during the pandemic, that experience provided an empathetic lens.