I am Clarissa Alves, a certified doula and the heart behind Mooncradle Matrescence. My philosophy for birth work is rooted in bodily autonomy, informed consent, and deep respect for each family’s lived experience. As an Afro Indigenous mother, born in the Bronx and navigating the maternal healthcare system as a person of color, I understand how systems can fail families, silence intuition, and pathologize normal experiences. My work is grounded in decolonizing birth, honoring ancestral wisdom alongside evidence based care, and creating spaces where people feel seen, protected, and empowered to make choices that are right for them. I believe birth is not something to be controlled, but something to be supported, whether that looks like an unmedicated birth, a cesarean, a VBAC, or postpartum healing. My role is to hold space without judgment, provide honest education, and walk alongside families with compassion, reverence, and unwavering advocacy.