About Risa Klein
Certified Nurse Midwife & Birth Counselor in Manhattan
My Philosophy
Over decades of caring for women through pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period, I came to recognize something that isn’t always spoken about.
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At times, women can feel overwhelmed, unsure, or disconnected during their experience—even when everything appears medically “normal.” These moments are often difficult to name, but they are deeply felt.
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My work is grounded in helping you understand those moments—bringing clarity to what may feel confusing, and supporting you in moving forward with greater confidence, steadiness, and self-trust.
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This is a profound life transition. It deserves time, thoughtful attention, and care that honors both the medical and emotional dimensions of the experience.
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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 path to midwifery began with my own experience of becoming a mother after the birth of my daughter, Dariana. What I came to understand through that experience led me to shift from a career in television and film production to the deeply human work of midwifery.
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 decision-making, and compassionate care across home, hospital, and in-hospital birth center settings.
My work has been published in peer-reviewed medical journals and featured in publications such as HuffPost, Healthline, and Women’s Health, among others.
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I have also contributed to public conversations on childbirth through media appearances, film participation, and educational initiatives, and have participated in and led lectures, workshops, and discussions for both clinicians and the broader birth community.
In addition to my clinical work, I have held leadership roles in hospital-based midwifery, working to elevate standards of care, strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, and support safe, respectful birth experiences. I have also had the privilege of teaching and mentoring students and clinicians, sharing both the science and the art of midwifery with the next generation of healthcare providers.
Today, I focus my work on birth counseling, consultation, and medical record review, offering individuals the time, space, and clinical insight often not available within routine prenatal care.
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Childbirth is not only a medical event, but can also serve as a catalyst for growth, shaping how individuals move forward with greater clarity and confidence—as parents, as partners, and within themselves. My approach reflects a commitment to lifelong learning and holistic care, integrating medical knowledge with the lived personal and clinical experience of pregnancy and birth.
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I am currently writing a book that explores this work more deeply.
Professional Collaboration
