Gail Janicola was born into a loving family, including her mom (Phyllis), dad (Sy) and older brother, Robert, who began his life with developmental disabilities, stemming from her mom’s traumatic birth experience.

The birth experience Phyllis had with Gail was very different; uneventful and filled with joy. Gail remembers her mom relaying these stories to her. She was fascinated, even as a young child, long before she would be labeled a “birth junkie”.

Her obsession with all-things-birth eventually led to her career as a certified childbirth educator and doula. For over 25 years, she has been providing evidence-based information, personal coaching and support to expectant women, their partners, and families. Gail is the founder of Moms On Top, an education and coaching resource for moms-to-be and new moms. She is also a Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach and a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach.

Gail focuses on her clients’ individuality in all ways — physiologically, emotionally, and circumstantially — fostering their abilities to make decisions that suit them best. Her strength is in deeply connecting with those she serves, offering sincere, heartfelt, non-judgmental guidance. She is truly in love with watching the transformation, from unaware and anxious to prepared and confident. She considers her greatest achievements to be a birth story with no regrets, and the revelation that this birth story created a sense of empowerment summoned in other parts of life, especially parenting.

Gail lives on Long Island, in New York, with her husband, Scott, her fur baby, Baci, and at any point in time, one or more of her three grown children, Shane, Kendall, and Madison. Her own birth experiences provided profound life lessons, and she is grateful for each one. Next to teaching and coaching, she loves to cook, to work out, to travel, and to spend as much time as possible with family and friends.

The motivation for writing The Ultimate Birth Experience came, in part, from a wish to honor her mom, the source of her inspiration, and a desire to instill confidence in those embarking on or going through pregnancy, as they anticipate the day they will give birth. Gail’s intention is to help women to see themselves – their bodies, their minds, their values and needs — as unique and highly individual, and to encourage critical thinking instead of simply making assumptions and blindly accepting standard norms. Her hope is that, regardless of whether or not the reality of the outcome matches the vision — the mindset that develops, the actions that are taken, and the growth that occurs, will be the measure of triumph in birth.