Angeline N. Capetanakis, JD
Angie has practiced law as a Civil Litigator in both Riverside and Del Mar, California. Her areas of expertise are in Labor and Employment law, Contract Dispute, and Mediation/Negotiation. She is the mother of three young children and helps to manage her husband’s Obstetric and Gynecological practice in Encinitas, CA.
“I made a conscious and informed decision about the type of labor and deliveries I wanted. I gave birth to all three of our children without medication, pain, or fear. I felt only joy, anticipation, excitement and love. They were the three most amazing moments in my life and I want this for all women. I believe that when we empower people with the knowledge to make an informed decision, they can take control of their child’s birth and have the experience they desire. The day you have your baby changes your life forever. It is imperative that we start talking more about birth and demanding better.”
Nikolas G. Capetanakis, D.O., FACOG is a board certified obstetrician and gynecologist with a private practice in Encinitas, California. He completed his residency at Loma Linda University Medical Center and specializes in VBAC and unmedicated deliveries, minimally invasive surgery, and fertility treatments.
“I believe that birth is an amazing and natural process. It is an honor and a privilege to help guide parents through this journey. I am excited to be part of an organization that uses evidenced based medicine to help advance maternal care. As practitioners, I believe that we can lower the c/section rate by being more involved in patient care and by helping educate patients about the different options and choices available to every parent. When a woman has a good team and trusts the inherent power of her body to bring life into this world, birth can be an amazing and empowering experience.”
Eunice “Kitty” Ernst, CNM, MPH has worked to improve birth for her entire career as a nurse-midwife and consultant. She is one of the founding mothers of the American Association of Birth Centers and is the Mary Breckenridge Chair of Midwifery at the Frontier Nursing University.
When asked why she supports ImprovingBirth.org, Kitty says, “I am doing this because I believe we will not have the changes we need until the mothers demand it. We have tried many programs over the years to improve the care available, but always bump up against the entrenched complexity of our existing system. ImprovingBirth.org is providing another way for mothers to take action and make themselves heard. Mothers are reclaiming their voices for themselves and their babies. It is important for all of us to listen.”
Rosemary Senjem is a business expert and web usability specialist, who brings practical tools and enlightening ideas for organizing and facilitating effective social change.
“I come to this movement out of concern for the unconscious undermining of American Motherhood. To me, ImprovingBirth.org is at the forefront of the conversation we need to have about evidence-based maternity care in our country today. Everyone needs to know the truth about birth that is demonstrated in the evidence. Only then can we be sure that women and families are free to make educated choices and not coerced by old information and fear. This freedom of information creates the best chance to get off to a great start. I support ImprovingBirth.org in telling the truth without blame, so we can all get on with doing what works best.”
