EDUCATION

• Bachelors in Communications and Secondary Education, Univ. of St. Cloud, MN, 1977.

• Graduate work in Theater Arts, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 1979.

CERTIFICATION, TRAINING & EXPERIENCE IN CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION

• BIRTH COUNSELOR: Dr. Gayle Peterson, 1993.

• PRE/POST NATAL FITNESS INSTRUCTOR: Elizabeth Noble, 1992.

• PRE/POST NATAL MASSAGE: Somatic Learning Institute, 1992.

• CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION EDUCATOR TRAINING: Childbirth Education Association, New York, 1996.

• LABOR SUPPORT DOULA: ALACE, 1990, DONA, 1995.

• CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION: Birth Renaissance, NYC, 1994, 1995.

• CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION: Private and group classes, NYC, 1992 - to present.

• CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION: Women’s Health Education Project: Two Inner City Women’s Shelter’s, 1992-1994.

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SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS (Water Labor/Waterbirth)

• “Alternative Birthing Options:” CADEAU Maternity Store, NYC, September 2003.

• Jewish Community Center: NYC, March 2003, one of the most prestigious Jewish Centers in NYC, “Alternative Choices for Childbirth.”

• Prenatal Yoga Center: NYC, May 2003, “Medical Interventions at Childbirth.”

• "Labor Support Doulas: Self-Care and Water Birth Support Workshop," NYC, NY October 29, 2000.

• The Wonders of Water: Hydrotherapy For Labor and Water Birth, Westchester Lamaze, Pain, Coping with the Pain of Labor and Birth Conference, NY, October 27, 2000.

• Women’s Advisors of New York City, NYC, NY, March, 1999.

• Elizabeth Seton Childbearing Center, NYC, October 1998, March 1999.

• Natural Health & Fitness Expo, Women's Health Panel, NYC, NY, April 1998.

• Ross Pediatrics Conference for Childbirth Educators, Long Island, NY, June 1996.

• International Cesarean Awareness Network, NYC, 1993, 1994, 1996.

• All Female Athletic Association, Harlem, NY Jan.-May 20, 1996. "Spiritual Class."

• The Birth Center At The Beth, Newark, NJ 1995.

• International Cesarean Awareness Network, NYC, 1995.

• Childbirth Support of New York, NYC, 1994.

• Midwives In Joy, Panama City, FL, 1994 Conference.

• Midwifery Today, NYC, 1994 Conference.

• New Life Expo, NYC, 1992, 1993.

• Women’s Health Nutri-Fair, NYC, 1993.

• New York Open Center, NYC, 1993.

• Manhattan Plaza Health Club, NYC, 1993.

• New York City Shelters, 1992, 1993, 1994.

• International Association of Counselors and Therapists, NYC, 1992 Symposium.

• Midwives Alliance of North America, NYC, 1992 Conference.

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TELEVISION & RADIO APPEARANCES
(Water Labor / Waterbirth / Flo Motion Fitness System)

• WBAI, NYC, October 2003, “Celebrating Women’s Week.” Judith interviewed about her work with Birth.

• ABC News Productions, Great Expectations with Juju Chang, NYC, NY, November 14, 2000.

• Lifetime Television, Pregnancy With Maddie Corman, NYC, NY, August 2000.

• "HEYER INSIGHTS," Albrecht Heyer. Syndicated cable program, NYC, July 23, 2000.

• "Kai's Odyssey," Kai Adowa, MNN cable show, NYC, November 1998.

• "The Body Mind Connection," Jean Novak, MNN cable show, NYC, September 1998.

• "Health Talk Motivational Radio," Brian Clement, WNN radio, West Palm Beach, FL, September 1998.

• "Urban Health Strategies." John Harris, WBAI radio, NYC, April 1998.

• "Alternatives in Childbirth," Walden’s Pond, WBAI radio, NYC, July 1997.

• "Video User’s Forum,” Panel discussion on Cable TV regarding Documentation of Births, March 1996.

• "A Second Opinion," live interview with Dr. Serafina Corsello, January 1996.

• America’s Talking, "Alive & Wellness," 1994, live interview, re-run 1995.

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PUBLICATIONS (Pregnancy Nutrition/Fitness/WaterLabor/Waterbirth)

•MAVI YASAM: Prestigious Turkish Magazine, April 2004, featured pregnancy photographs by Birth Balance along with interview regarding water birth Internationally.

• CRAINE’S NEW YORK BUSINESS MAGAZINE: September 1, 2003, Feature story, Doula, Judith Halek is featured in article, “Doin’ What Comes Naturally.”

• WOMEN IN PHOTOGRAPHY: No. 8, Fall Issue, Issue, debuts photographs and an article on photographing water labors and births in the “A Labor of Love,” by Judith Elaine Halek. October 1, 2001.

• THE POWER OF TOUCH: on May 9, 2000, ClubMom.com©ˆs debut of an article by Mary Ellen Branna, interviewing Judith regarding baby massage.

• TIME MAGAZINE: Labor Support Doula Article, Judith Halek quoted in,"One Labor-Intensive Job,"by Heather Won Tesoriero, NYC, NY, March 12, 2001 (Read the article)

• WORD.COM Presents, "Gig, Americans Talk About Their Jobs At The Turn of The Millennium," Chapter on Labor Support Doula, page 377-381. (Interviewed) Spring 2000

• MIDWIFERY TODAY MAGAZINE, "Aquadural & Douladural Replace the Epidural," Spring 2000

• XPRESS MAGAZINE, "Reflections on Pregnancy and Birth," Bohemia, NY, Winter 1998.

• FRIENDS OF MIDWIVES IN CONN. NEWSLETTER, "Waterbirth: A Social Phenomenon," Spring 1997.

• NAISSANCE: Childbirth Education Association of Metro NY Newsletter, "Report on the First International Waterbirth Conference," 1996.

• THE JOURNAL OF PERINATAL EDUCATION, an ASPO/LAMAZE Publication, "Report on the First International Waterbirth Conference," 1995.

• ACTIVE LABOR, newsletter of the ICA, NYC, "Roosevelt Opens It’s Doors To Waterways," 1993, 1994.

• NEW YORK FAMILY MAGAZINE, "Gentle Birth Choices," 1994.

• HEART SOUL MAGAZINE, "Champions Of The Future," Rodale Press, 1994.

• NAISSANCE, newsletter of the Childbirth Education Association of Metro NY, "Update On Hospital Waterbirth," NYC, 1994.

• NEW LIFE MAGAZINE, "Making Healthier Babies Through Juicing," 1992.

• TO YOUR HEALTH MAGAZINE, "Waterbirthing," 1992.

• THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNSELORS AND THERAPISTS, "Going With The Flo, An Exercise About Nurturing For Expectant Mothers," 1992.

• NEW YORK FAMILY MAGAZINE, "Pregnancy and Fitness," 1992....

• ALLIANCE JOURNAL, "Pregnancy and Juicing," "Bringing Baby Home Through Less Violent Measures," 1992.

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PHOTO CREDITS

• BIRTH BALANCE WEBSITE: In operation since September 2001. This is the largest resource center for pregnancy/labor/birth/post photography, water birth and labor support Doula information. Over 500 pages and between 800,000-1,000,000 visits per month and 1,000,000+ hits per month.

• OUR BODIES OURSELVES, 5th EDITION: Two birth balance photographs will be featured in the newest edition coming out in 2005.

• ‘THE BIRTH ATTENDENTS’ 2005 CALENDAR: One Birth Balance photograph featured in this birth-related calendar.

• PRENATAL MASSAGE WEBSITE: May 2004, NYC, Judith Halek Photographed Anne Heckheimer’s pregnancy massage for her website. Can be viewed by clicking here.

• WATERBIRTH CONFERENCE: “Embracing Birth Together,” International Waterbirth Congress, Chicago, IL, April 22-25, 2004. Birth Balance is the official photographer to document the event.

• UNITED FOR FAMILIES MIDWIERY CARE NEWSLETTER: Spring 2004, Volume 8
Issue I. Birth Balance features water birth photographs accompanying article Judith Halek edited, “Waterbirth Basics: From newborn breathing to Hospital Protocols,” by Barbara Harper.

• MAVI YASAM: Prestigious Turkish Magazine, April 2004, featured pregnancy photographs by Birth Balance.

• ELIZABETH BING’S 90TH BIRTHDAY: NYC, June 21, 2004. The Historical Matriarch who brought Lamaze Childbirth Education to the United States, celebrated her 90th year of life. Judith Halek was the official photographer for the event.

• MATERNAL FITNESS STUDIO: NYC, Winter 2003, Photography Presentation of Birth Balance’s Full Body of work.

• FOR CRYING OUTLOUD, 2003 ANNUAL REPORT FOR MATERNITY CENTER ASSOCIATION: NYC, The oldest, (1918) Birth Organization in the United States, featured Birth Balance photographs in their 2003 Annual report. Came out, Spring 2004.

• INTERNATIONAL CESAREAN AWARENESS NETWORK: Chapter of Vermont, debuts Birth Balance Photography at the Wellness Fair, November 1, 2003 in Rutland, Vermont.

• DOULA’S OF NORTH AMERICA: (DONA) features a photograph on one of their latest TOTE bags, (Winter 2003)

• INTERNATIONAL DOULA: Vol. 11, Issue 1, Winter 2003, color, cover photograph, quarterly, published by, Doula’s of North America. (DONA)

• INTERNATIONAL DOULA: Summer 2003, Volume 11, Issue 3, debuts the first color cover the quarterly, published by, Doula’s of North America. (DONA)

• “THE DOULA BOOK, How a Trained Labor Companion can help you have a Shorter, Easier, and Healthier Birth,” By Marshall H. Klaus MD, John H. Kennell MD and Phyllis H. Klaus CSW, M.F.C.C Judith Halek features the cover photograph, along with three photographs inside. November 5, 2002.

• LISTENING TO MOTHER’S FORUM: October 24, 2002, Presentation of Maternity Center Association’s ‘First National U.S. Survey of Women's Childbearing Experiences.’ Birth Balance closed the forum with an inspirational birth slide presentation.

• SELF-Magazine, features a two and a half page spread of Judith Halek’s pregnancy photography. June 2002.

• WOMEN IN PHOTOTGRPHY, No. 8, Fall Issue, Issue, debuts photographs and an article on photographing water labors and births in the “A Labor of Love,” by Judith Elaine Halek. October 1, 2001.

• TEA TIME IS BREWING! Women In Photography International Celebrates 20th Anniversary “Images of Women - Images of Tea”, Judith Halek debut’s one of her photographs in her first International Exhibition. The opening will be Oct.10 to Nov.15, 2001 at the House of Photographic Art (HOPA) in San Juan Capistrano, CA. The exhibition will travel throughout the USA and internationally over the next three years, with invitations from Cuba, Italy, Pakistan and others.

• MIDWIFERY TODAY MAGAZINE: Winter 2001, Number 60, BB Photograph, pg. 61

• MIDWIFERY TODAY MAGAZINE: "Having A Baby,” BB photograph, premiere Issue, Spring 2001.

• MIDWIFERY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT, "Mother -Baby Experiences of Nurturing," Booklet funded by the Department of Health, South Bank University, and East Kent NHS Trust. Photo on page 18, Paris, FRANCE.

• Nine BB Photographs can be seen: www.joyouspregnancy.com, (The Unassisted Childbirth website.)

• MIDWIFERY TODAY MAGAZINE: Autumn 2000. #55, pg. 48.

• MIDWIFERY TODAY MAGAZINE: Spring 2000, #54, pgs. 23, 33.

• MIDWIFERY TODAY MAGAZINE: Autumn 1999, #51, pg. 52.

• FREE SPIRIT MAGAZINE: June/July 1999, 4 photographs featured.

• HIP MAMA MAGAZINE: March 1999, cover photo.

• XPRESS MAGAZINE: "Reflections on Pregnancy and Birth," Bohemia, NY, Winter 1999.

• THE RESIDENT NEWSPAPER: NYC, 1998-1999, numerous photos featured in family articles.

• NEW YORK FAMILY MAGAZINE: May ‘94, "The Rebirth Of a Profession: Labor Support Doulas," pg. 20.

• THE JOURNAL OF PERINATAL EDUCATION: an ASPO/LAMAZE Publication, Vol. 4, No. 3, 1995, "When Parents Ask: ‘What about Waterbirth’," pg.

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DOCUMENTATION BY VIDEO AND/OR PHOTO

• Produced 39 Water Birth Related Documentaries, presented through Manhattan Neighborhood Network Cable, NYC, NY, January 1997- April 2001: Birth Balance Archives: Videotapes.

• Third International Waterbirth Conference: Waterbirth 2000: A Vision For The Future,² and 4 Day Aquanatal Teacher/Training. Portland, Oregon, Sept. 21-28, 2000. BB documents with photo's and written journalist. To see photo presentation click here.

• "Waterbirth: Wave Of The Future," Birth Balance Sponsored and documented through video and photo's, Gloria Lemay, Canadian Water birth Midwife, NYC, NY, Sept. 8, 2000. Click for more info.

• Holy Name Hospital, Lonnie Morris, CNM and The Childbirth Center in Englewood, NJ, Judith assisted with tub and labor support assistant, Deborah Pascali-Bonaro, the first underwater birth in a hospital in Bergen County, NJ, March 2000.

• FIRST water labor and water birth at Birth Center in Allen Pavilion Hospital, NYC, February 12 and 14, 1999.

• Elizabeth Seton Childbearing Center, NYC, tape/edit 5 min. Internet video for web page, photos, May 1999.

• New York Open Center, Michel Odent, "Childbirth: Needs, Dreams & Realities" & "We Are All Waterbabies," two 3-hour lectures, September 18, 22, 1997.

• Second International Waterbirth Conference, "Nurturing Woman: Integrating Water into Maternity Care: First North American Conference," USA, 1996.

• First International Waterbirth Conference, London, England, April 1995.

• Maternal Fitness, Julie Tupler, RN Certified Instructional Video for pre/post-natal fitness, NYC, 1995.

• First Obstetrician in a United States Hospital to labor and birth underwater, Roosevelt Hospital, NYC, June 7,1994.

• First underwater breech hospital birth in the United States, New York City, Feb. 4, 1994.

• First underwater birth at Roosevelt Hospital, NYC, Oct. 2, 1993.

• Birth Center, Englewood, NJ, a group of seven children witnessing the birth of the fifth child, and the second waterbirth in this family, Aug. 15, 1992.

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VOLUNTEER PROJECTS (Childbirth Education)

• Women’s Heath Education Project, two shelters in Brooklyn, Linden Shelter, prenatal education; Urban Strategies, post-natal education. WHEP raised $30,000 through private investors reviewing.

• My childbirth classes, NYC, 1992, to the present date. 2004.