Kiva Celeste, RN
Kiva Celeste has a passion for all things pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, and parenting! She grew up in Southern California where she spent lots of time in nature, attended Waldorf school, and helped her mom with her in-home childcare center, all of which fostered in her a reverence for natural ways and rhythms. Kiva’s undergraduate work at the University of Oregon focused on tropical ecology and Spanish. Concurrently, she conducted a research project on nocturnal pollination of flowering plants by various bat species in the cloud forests of Costa Rica.
Following college, Kiva trained as a massage therapist and esthetician and ran a boutique spa for several years. She then began to expand her repertoire to include prenatal massage, eventually was introduced to doula work, and completed a degree in nursing in 2016. After building a solid foundation in Medical-Surgical nursing through five years of hospital work, she returned to her calling to support clients directly during pregnancy, birth, and the immediate postpartum, through Kiva Celeste Birth Consulting, a culmination of her life’s work thus far.
Doula/Nurse/Advocate
Kiva is dedicated to continually expanding her knowledge base. Over the last ten years, she has completed various courses through Birthing from Within, Spinning Babies, the Matrona, and Go Milk Yourself. She is a practicing Body Ready Method Pro, an active member of the Intentional Birth Community, and is currently training to become an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant. Also, in 2023 she joined the team at the Minnesota Birth Center as a Birth Assistant & Clinic Nurse, facilitating her enthusiasm for being an advocate for birth choices, body autonomy, and honoring the wisdom inherent in physiology. In her free time, she enjoys listening to podcasts, hiking with her dog, and roller-skating.
“Kiva has a remarkable clarity of perception.” - Betsy Love, friend and colleague
Pertinent Credentials, certifications & Experience
2024
GOLD Lactation Conference
2023
Go Milk Yourself
Lactation Pro Training
with Francie Webb, IBCLC
Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)
Certification maintained
Body Ready Method
Active Certified BRM Pro
2022
Postpartum Doula certification
Holistic Doula certification
with Wapio Bartlett of The Matrona
2016
Associate Degree in Nursing
Santa Barbara City College
Currently licensed in CA, MN, ND & WI
2014 Introduction to Doula & Mentorship
& Birth Story Medicine
Birthing from Within
2013 - 2015
200+ hrs volunteering
Mother-Infant, Birth Center & NICU
Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital
2009
Esthetician training
Santa Barbara City College
School of Cosmetology
2008 - 2015
MANAWA Eco Spa
Esthetician/Massage Therapist
Sole Proprietor/Mobile Spa Services
2007
Massage Therapy training
Santa Barbara Body Therapy Institute
2002 -2006
Various Breema workshops
Self Breema & Breema Bodywork
1999 - 2003
Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies
Minor in Spanish
University of Oregon
Fluent in English & Spanish
More about my background
As I grow and learn I find more and more that I stand with my feet in two different worlds. I discover that I am drawn toward the threshold, the transitional space, the gateway between earth and sky. It is in this place where my gifts are best shared with others.
Nice years ago, I started working as a Registered Nurse and even though I entered the profession with the intention of working with pregnancy and birth, I instead chose to gain experience in Medical-Surgical hospital nursing. I started in a Neurology/Urology department, then I worked in a Surgical unit, and later I worked as a Resource Nurse being sent to various different departments based on need. At each location, knowing my interest in and passion for all things birth, I was often assigned to care for Medical-Surgical patients who also happened to be pregnant, had just given birth, and/or were breastfeeding.
Although I am truly grateful for my hospital nursing experience, it also opened my eyes to some of the failings of the medical system, and after working full-time, and often into overtime, during the pandemic, I reached my limit. Being over-worked without adequate breaks, and over-stressed from staffing shortages and unsafe nursing ratios, for months I broke out in hives after every shift. Thankfully, I was able to take the time off that I needed to heal my nervous system and replenish my body, mind, and spirit.
Having witnessed some negative consequences of the medicalization of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care, you can imagine how my bias leans toward home and community-based birth. But I have also seen situations where hospital care was absolutely the best option, and I am grateful for medical care when it’s truly indicated. My experience as a hospital nurse as well as a community-based birth assistant who has helped people safely transfer to the hospital when desired or medically needed, offers an advantage for those who seek as natural of an experience as possible in the hospital setting. I understand the risks and benefits involved with various interventions, can assist you in making sure you have all the information you need to make informed decisions for yourself, and I am comfortable collaborating with every member of your birth team.
I am prepared to meet you where you are, and to walk with you as you experience pregnancy, birth, and the immediate postpartum. I look forward to supporting you on your unique birthing journey!