Hi! I’m Dr. Lior Bloom, DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice), a Certified Nurse Midwife and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. I support women throughout their pregnancy journeys and transitions into motherhood, helping them have empowering birth experiences.
My Journey and Inspiration
My journey into healthcare began 29 years ago when I became a mother for the first time. I did everything ‘right’— chose the best female OBGYN, attended prenatal yoga, all of the things to ensure a good birth experience. I was full term and preparing for a celebratory dinner party when I underwent a routine ultrasound at the hospital and was told, “You have low amniotic fluid. We’re keeping you.”
From that moment, it felt like me and my voice disappeared. They told me to stay and be induced, or my baby could die. The process was scary and traumatic. I wasn’t a medical practitioner back then, and I didn’t even know what low amniotic fluid meant.
Once my baby was released from intensive care, I was left to heal my torn body while learning to mother a newborn and serve tea to people who came to visit. There was no space to process my trauma and the complete loss of autonomy I experienced throughout the birth process.
I prepared for my next birth reading everything I could about the history of childbirth. I needed to understand what happened to me and why. That’s when I realized: this is not just connected to me—it’s cultural. I gave birth at home with a trusted midwife and knew instantly what I needed to do with the rest of my life.
My Approach
For birth to unfold as it was intended, women need to feel safe and supported. Their concerns, fears and traumas need to be addressed, and their bodies healthy and aligned.
I have delivered babies in hospitals, birth centers and home birth environments, in the U.S. and Israel. Currently, I am supporting women to prepare for a healthy and empowered birth, creating a plan that meets their unique needs, accompanying them to the hospital, and providing consults, birth trauma processing, scar healing and early labor wellness visits.
When we are afraid our body goes into fight-or-flight mode, which is diametrically opposed to what needs to happen to give birth. A happy and safe environment allows oxytocin to flow.
By engaging with a woman in pregnancy to build trust, helping her feel seen and understood, she feels safe and supported when labor starts and can labor at home longer.
I can’t guarantee the outcome, but I can assure women that I am there for them. I am their mirror of reassurance, even when it’s hard. Women are powerful and capable - we can do hard things. When we’re provided information and feel empowered… birth doesn’t have to be traumatic.
Making a Difference
I have devoted my career to help women have better birthing experiences, wherever they choose to give birth.
My academic journey has focused on understanding and improving the induction of labor conundrum in our culture. My master’s thesis was about what happened to me, creating a protocol to prevent unnecessary induction for low amniotic fluid at term. My doctoral project introduced outpatient cervical ripening, encouraging women needing induction to begin the process and go home to spend the first part of labor in the comfort and safety of their familiar environments. The project won an award for making the most far-reaching impact on the community and was adopted by all of Sutter Health in California.
Beyond the Practice
I studied herbal medicine and have been making a powerful skin healing salve for over twenty years, helping to heal postpartum women and for natural family health.
An avid, lifelong yogi and Tel Aviv promenade runner, my most precious moments are spending time with my three amazing grown children and cooking together every Friday night.
Leading Innovation in Women's Health: Founder of a Groundbreaking FemTech Startup
I am the founder of a FemTech startup developing a device that will allow women to examine their own cervix at home. My goal is to disrupt obstetrical norms by providing women the technology to examine their own cervix, empowering their birth journeys, reducing trauma, and leaving a legacy of improved birth experiences.
Sharing Your Wisdom
Much of our difficulty around birth has to do with a misalignment. Invest in your pregnancy with prenatal yoga and fitness, prenatal body work (Sobada is great!) and a few osteopathic treatments in the third trimester.
How People Can Get in Touch with You
If you’d like to learn more or book an appointment, you can reach me through the Advah Health Clinic website or WhatsApp me on +1 (925) 381-1117.
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