ABOUT me
I’m passionate about BIRTH
My name is Iliona, I am portuguese born and raised but I lived abroad for more than 10years. I’m a deeply curious and intentional person—when something matters to me, I take the time to research, question, and understand it fully. Moving to Braga in 2018 while pregnant with my son sparked a deep journey into understanding birth, parenthood, and natural birth options in Portugal. I had so many questions, and I wasn’t going to settle for uncertainty. I researched, asked, and explored until I found my ideal birth option—one that aligned with my intentions at that time.
Before birth work, I spent 10 years working abroad as a scientist, a biologist—living and working in Europe, the USA, and Japan. My work was always driven by a deep fascination with the natural world and discovery. This same curiosity and commitment to understanding life on a deeper level naturally led me to birth work.
Even though I had a conventional medical follow-up and was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, I had a natural, intervention-free hospital birth. I labored for around 34 hours at home—pain-free and even pleasurable (Yes!)—fully immersed in the sensations I was so deeply curious about.
That’s why, since 2021, I’ve been supporting expat and international families in Portugal—helping them make informed choices and feel at home in their birthing experience. I am also a certified birth doula, trained by author and experienced doula Sandra Oliveira, who has been supporting families for over 18 years.
I am a mom to a 6-year-old, whom I birthed naturally in a public Portuguese hospital.
Since then, my life has changed in so many ways. Motherhood has reshaped the way I see the world, deepened my understanding of birth and parenthood (of LIFE really!), and continues to inspire the work I do every day.
I also have a strong connection to cultural diversity and multilingual environments, speaking Portuguese, English, French, Spanish, a little German, and a little Japanese. Because my family is also international—I’m Portuguese and Belgian, and my partner is German—I understand firsthand the challenges expat families face when navigating pregnancy and birth in a new country.
This foundation, combined with my personal and professional journey, allows me to provide guidance that is both deeply informed and culturally attuned.
I am deeply passionate about a woman’s right to true informed consent and ensuring that every family has the knowledge and confidence to navigate the Portuguese maternity system in a way that aligns with their values.
That’s why I created Expat Pregnancy & Birth in Portugal—a course designed to help international families understand their options, make informed decisions, and have clarity throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum in Portugal.
I’m so thankful for my own pregnancy and birth journey, which shaped me in profound ways and inspired me to support others on theirs. Birth is one of the most raw experiences of life—it can challenge you, expand you, and connect you to your deepest instincts. It’s deeply personal. Birth is wild. Birth is yours.
