About Risa Klein, CNM
Certified Nurse Midwife & Birth Counselor in Manhattan
My Philosophy
Your birth experience is about YOU.
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My goal is to support you as you cross the threshold into motherhood—helping this profound life transition become one of the most empowering, grounded, and transformative experiences of your life. As a Certified Nurse Midwife and birth counselor, I offer thoughtful guidance that honors both the medical and emotional dimensions of birth.
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I believe deeply in your capacity to meet birth and motherhood with clarity, confidence, and self-trust—and my role is to walk alongside you with experience, compassion, and respect.
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“ Keep doing your miraculous work, Risa! You will heal the world, one birth at a time."
Love,
Bill, Fumiko, and Kentaro
My Story
​My journey into midwifery began with my own transformative experience of motherhood following the birth of my daughter, Dariana. That experience reshaped my life and redirected my path—from a career in television and film production to the deeply human, sacred work of midwifery and birth counseling.
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I earned a Master of Science in Nurse Midwifery from Columbia University School of Nursing and am a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) licensed in New York and New Jersey, as well as a Nurse Practitioner in Obstetrics and Gynecology in New York. Over the past three decades, I have supported women and families through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum with a commitment to clinical excellence, informed choice, and compassionate care.
Clinical Leadership & Teaching
​In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, my work led me to Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, where I served as Director of Midwives and helped pioneer and develop the hospital’s midwifery program. In this leadership role, I worked to elevate standards of care, strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, and ensure safe, respectful birth experiences within a hospital setting.
In parallel, I have had the privilege of teaching and mentoring future clinicians at institutions including Hofstra University and New York University, sharing both the science and the art of midwifery with the next generation of healthcare providers.
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Media, Education & Advocacy
My commitment to informed, empowered birth has extended beyond the clinical setting. I have served as a birth consultant for feature films including Baby Mama and Maze, as well as television programs such as A Baby Story. I have also participated in workshops, lectures, interviews, and professional education—advocating for thoughtful, evidence-based, and emotionally attuned maternity care.
You can learn more on my Press, Publications, and Blog pages.
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A Commitment to Lifelong Learning & Holistic Care
Midwifery is a living, evolving practice. I remain deeply committed to ongoing education, professional development, and staying current with advancements in maternity care, while never losing sight of the emotional and psychological experiences that shape birth and early motherhood.
I believe birth is a healthy, transformative, and life-giving catalyst for growth—not only for babies, but for parents and families as well. I am currently writing a book exploring this philosophy and the deeper meaning of birth. Stay tuned.​
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Why Clients Work With Me
Clients seek my care when they want:
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Time to reflect and ask questions
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Support processing complex or traumatic birth or postpartum experiences
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A seasoned midwife’s clinical perspective beyond routine prenatal visits
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Thoughtful, holistic birth counseling rooted in decades of practice
