In this episode, professional dancer and voiceover artist Elisa Toro Franky shares her transformative birth journey with a depth and poetic beauty that makes this conversation truly special. Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, Elisa brings her unique perspective as a performer to the birthing experience, drawing profound connections between dance and labor.
Elisa opens up about her conception journey, including navigating two early miscarriages with wisdom and grace, and how she reframed those experiences to move forward with hope rather than fear. She discusses the intersection of dance and pregnancy, how carrying Luna changed her movement practice, and the vital importance of listening to your body with the same attention dancers bring to their craft.
The heart of the episode explores Elisa's birth story—from declining induction twice while trusting her intuition, to her decision-making around accepting gentle interventions when she felt ready, to the powerful moment of a very quick pushing stage before meeting baby Luna. She shares candidly about finding her birth team at NYU Langone, working with doula Regina, and the great support of having her mother present from Colombia for over two months postpartum.
Throughout the conversation, Elisa weaves in themes of courage, intuition, surrender, and transformation. She speaks eloquently about "becoming the wave" during contractions, navigating the liminal space between her former and new identity, and the essential role of movement and cultural connection in her pregnancy and recovery journey.
This episode will resonate with anyone preparing for birth, especially those interested in the mind-body connection, the power of trusting your intuition, and the transformative nature of becoming a parent.
Resources:
Ferny - fertility clinic in Manhattan
Australian Bubs - goat milk formula
Sponsor links:
Free “Pack for Your Best Birth” Packing List (with free mini-course option)
East River Doula Collective (find a doula, attend our free “Meet the Doulas” event)
Birth Matters NYC Childbirth Education Classes (Astoria, Queens and virtual)
*Disclosure: Links on this page to products are affiliate links; I will receive a small commission on any products you purchase at no additional cost to you.
Episode Topics:
Elisa's background as a professional dancer from Bogotá, Colombia
Journey to New York City in 2008 with Dance Theater of Harlem
Current work with FJK Dance incorporating Middle Eastern, ballroom, and contemporary styles
The connection between dance and birth: dancers as "accurate listeners" of their bodies
Navigating two early miscarriages in 2023
Choosing an empowering narrative to move forward without prolonged grief
Working with Ferny (Fertility New York) clinic and Dr. Alia
Comprehensive fertility testing showing no concerns
Conceiving in 2024 during a creative period performing opera
Waiting three full moons (first trimester) before announcing the pregnancy
Choosing NYU Langone for integrated midwife and OB care
Finding doula Regina through East River Doula Collective
How pregnancy transformed dance practice: increased groundedness and flexibility
Discovering new movement qualities through carrying Luna's weight
Performing en pointe until December at eight months pregnant
Teaching throughout pregnancy to maintain vitality
Managing sciatica pain in the final weeks before birth
Catching a cold one week before giving birth
Declining induction twice while trusting the body's natural labor onset
The conversation with a trusted midwife that led to accepting gentle induction
Using cervical balloon and medication without needing Pitocin
Seeing familiar faces of loved ones reflected in birth team members
The Colombian midwife who spoke Spanish and provided cultural connection
Using vocalization, singing, and movement to cope with contractions
Adopting different positions including all fours with doula support
The concept of "becoming the wave" from the book Transformed by Birth
Mythological frameworks: Artemis, Persephone, and Inanna's journey to the underworld
Experiencing "labor land" - the liminal space between exhaustion and pain
Taking a low-dose epidural while still feeling fully present
The pushing stage: only 12 minutes with full awareness
Brief mention of forceps that ultimately weren't needed
The surreal moment of meeting Luna and questioning if it was real
Postpartum healing: two-centimeter tear with stitches
Continued sciatica and pelvic floor recovery
Establishing breastfeeding and managing initial discomfort
Luna's high feeding demand and supplementing with goat milk formula
Mother Consuelo's support from Colombia for two and a half months
Sleep rotation strategy: alternating nights with family support
Ancestral wisdom on baby care, routines, and distinguishing day from night
Raising Luna bilingually with emphasis on preserving Spanish
The importance of movement in postpartum recovery
Cultural loss when Latin American children don't learn Spanish
Final wisdom on courage, intuition, and trusting the body
Surrendering to the process rather than trying to control it
The transformative death of former identity and birth of new self
Open-mindedness in accepting that each birth journey is unique
Interview Transcript
Transcript and photos coming soon!