Aviva Jill Romm

Jeannine Parvati, born Jeannine O'Brien, was an author, midwife, and yoga teacher who dedicated her life to advocating for women's health and natural birthing practices. Born in 1949, she passed away in 2005. Her early work was influenced by Ashtanga yogi Baba Hari Dass, shaping her first book on prenatal yoga and natural childbirth. Her master's thesis in psychology at San Francisco State University became her influential book, "Hygieia: A Woman's Herbal." Parvati also co-authored "Conscious Conception: Elemental Journey through the Labyrinth of Sexuality" with her second husband.

She established a significant midwifery practice in Sonoma County, California, spanning over a decade. Later, she relocated to rural Utah, continuing her midwifery services and teaching prenatal yoga while raising her family. There, she founded Hygieia College, a program offering mentorship. Parvati is recognized for popularizing the practice of lotus birth in the United States. Beyond her work in childbirth and herbalism, she was a prominent anti-circumcision activist, speaking at conferences and authoring material on the topic, advocating for the eradication of genital mutilation.

Jeannine Parvati was a dedicated midwife who practiced in Sonoma County, California, for more than ten years. Her commitment to natural childbirth extended to her teaching, where she instructed Prenatal Yoga. After relocating to southern Utah, she continued her midwifery practice and educational endeavors. Parvati also founded Hygieia College, a mentorship program designed to further education in her fields of expertise. She is also credited with bringing the practice of lotus birth to wider attention in the United States, emphasizing a natural approach to the postpartum period.

As an author, Jeannine Parvati explored themes of natural childbirth, sexuality, and women's health. Her book "Hygieia: A Woman's Herbal" originated from her master's thesis in psychology and became a significant work in the field. Influenced by yoga, her first book focused on prenatal yoga and natural childbirth. Parvati also addressed sexuality through "Conscious Conception: Elemental Journey through the Labyrinth of Sexuality." Beyond reproductive health, she was a strong advocate for genital integrity, actively campaigning against circumcision and authoring works addressing sexual mutilation.