Dr. Vijaya Krishnan is the founder of The Sanctum Natural Birth Center, in Hyderabad, India. She is a Certified Professional Midwife, Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator & also an Advanced Certified Lactation Professional.
In 2008, she pioneered a unique Collaborative Model of Care – Women receive Autonomous Midwife Led Care, through the childbearing year from preconception to postpartum, with Consultant OBGyns, Pediatricians, and emergency infrastructure on site, in case of emergency & complex needs. This has become a model of care which can be replicated throughout the world, where women can have both safe and satisfying birth outcomes, and The Sanctum is a designated ICI implementing facility.
In addition to this, she is the Program Director of the Healthy Mother Lamaze Accredited Childbirth Educator Program since 2009. 95% of India’s Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educators today, have been mentored by her program.
Dr. Vijaya’s articles have been published in International Journals, & recently, she has also co-authored a chapter on Breech Birth in the book “Sustainable Birth in Disruptive Times”.
She is an invited speaker both nationally & internationally, and has led workshops at FIGO conferences. She has also been invited by the State Government of Telangana, to teach Respectful Maternity Care and evidence-based practices to doctors and other stakeholders, to improve maternal and newborn outcomes, and reduce use of unnecessary interventions.
Dr. Vijaya sits on the Board of IMBCO (International MotherBaby Childbirth Initiative), which drives policy & representation at ICI (International Childbirth Initiative) – a collaboration between FIGO & IMBCO.
Dr. Vijaya has been awarded the “Lifetime Achievement Award for Service to MotherBaby” by Midwifery Today. She recently received her second Lifetime Achievement Award at the IBC Conference in July 2023..
