Anne Leclercq
Licenced midwife
IBCLC lactation consultant
Why I am
a midwife
I decided to become a midwife during my teenage years. When I was 12, my mom experienced a high-risk pregnancy and eventually had a preterm labor at 32 weeks. Witnessing her struggle with a lack of support and frequent trips between home and the NICU deeply impacted me. This experience ignited my passion for birth and solidified my determination to become a midwife.
I moved to Brussels to pursue my midwifery education, driven by a passion for natural birth, waterbirth, and supporting women and families. I had incredible teachers who open my eyes about all the midwifery scope.
I always have an open spirit and a strong desire to continually learn more about my field. Discovering Haptonomy was a revelation for me. The ability to support people through presence and touch was empowering and confirmed my commitment to supporting women during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum.
I love being there for women, offering support and empowerment. There isn’t just one reason why I chose to be a midwife; I embrace my role wholeheartedly and want to share this journey with as many mothers as possible, helping them feel confident and capable.
I am so happy to be part of your journey, to support and empower you
My Midwife
Story
I completed my midwifery education in Europe in 2004 and worked in various hospitals in Belgium and France. I discovered that I preferred smaller hospitals where midwives had more responsibilities. Eventually, I found a hospital in the south of France that allowed me to facilitate water births. Simultaneously, I opened my own practice with two other midwives. We offered Watsu childbirth education, Haptonomy support for families, pre and postnatal care, and pelvic floor support during postpartum.
I loved the multidisciplinary approach between my private practice and hospital work. I had my first two children with the support of my colleagues, enjoying Haptonomy and Watsu preparation for both. Both births were magnificent natural experiences.
In 2012, my husband’s job brought us to Austin. I never expected to live in the US, and my English was quite poor at the time. When we decided to have another baby, I sought the same experience as my first two births. Although everything was different, it was also the same in many ways. There were many funny moments due to language barriers, but I chose to have my baby at a birthing center, which was an incredible experience.
This experience broadened my perspective. I often knew what was happening but didn’t always understand how it was happening. Haptonomy was a great help once again.
After three years, we decided to stay longer in the US. I was ready to embrace my passion again and became a student midwife for a few months to get certified here. I worked hard on my English skills while waiting for my paperwork. During this time, I served as a birth assistant at the same birthing center where I had my baby, eventually becoming a birth assistant supervisor, then a midwife, and even temporarily the clinical director when needed.
Throughout these years, I continued to listen to mothers and learned where they needed more support. I realized that the postpartum phase is a period where women need the most support. Society doesn’t offer as much help as it used to, so I became passionate about breastfeeding and lactation support, as well as natural family planning to help women care for their bodies postpartum.
in 2023, I became an IBCLC and completed my certification in the Marquette method of natural family planning.
I am so happy to be part of your journey, to support and empower you
Education
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Certified Nurse Midwife ( E.I.U.L.B 2000-2204 Bruxelles Belgium)
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Pre-Postnatal Aquatic ( Watsu) Childbirth Education (Aquarius @Ostende Belgium, 2005)
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Haptonomy therapist Certification (CIRDH, 2012, Paris)
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Certified Professionnel Midwife (NARM 2016, US)
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International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (2023, US)
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Marquette Method NFP Teacher (in process, 2023-2024, US)