Meet Katie

Some back story.

In my early 20’s I was in my second round of college. My plan was to get a degree in Community Health and be a Sex Educator. I have always been passionate about both mental and physical sexual health, so it felt like the right path. In my Psychology of Sex class I was introduced to birth with a perspective I had never considered. Shortly after in a health class, I was required to write a research paper exploring healthcare systems. I decided to research models of maternity care in the United States. From here my interest continued to build as I learned more about our innate capability to birth.

After finishing my Associates Degree, I paused and had my first two daughters. During that time I supported friends and family through labor. I came to know more young families and felt so much comfort in community. But the transition to family life rocked my world. I saw the need for support in this and decided to pursue Psychology and Human Services. In the last year of my program I was pregnant with my third daughter. I directed all of my projects and research toward self-efficacy in the transition to motherhood. I knew this world well, I loved this world, it was close to my heart, so a friend suggested the idea of becoming a childbirth educator and doula.

My daughter was born a week after I graduated and a few months later I took the courses needed to become a certified Childbirth Educator. I loved my training, and could not wait to jump into this work. After a short time, I learned that it’s not about what I want to teach you. It is about everything you are entering birth with. What makes you feel safe, confident, and supported? How do I support that, you as an individual, and your family? I decided then that if I wanted to support a family well, then becoming a doula was naturally the next step. So I did my training for certification as a Labor Doula.

The context of my story. I grew up in Bellingham, left as soon as I could, certain I would never come back (haha). Moved to San Francisco, met my husband, travelled the world, then family brought us back to Washington. But we kept a little space by spending a few years in Seattle. Toward the end of my first pregnancy we made our way back to Bellingham. My family was three minutes away and his family right across the border. I knew I would need them with Liv on the way. Fast forward eight years, and now my family of five lives in Blaine. Never thought we’d find ourselves here but we love it! There will always be a project in the queue with our 1905 house but it feels very worth it. A walk by the ocean is the best reset for me and I am so thankful to be here.

I love to bake, and I usually have at least one of my girls join me in the process. There is nothing I love more than a good coffee and pastry. Iron Rooster in Fairhaven is by far my favorite bakery and latte in Bellingham!

For more testimonials from clients you can visit my Google page for reviews.

Our local hospital and birth centers now require doulas to be vaccinated. I am vaccinated, but do not require vaccination of my clients. I am happy to work with anyone regardless of vaccine status.

  Qualifications

• BA in Psychology, Trinity Western University

• Certificate in Human Services, Trinity Western University

• Certified Childbirth Educator, Lamaze International

• Certified Labor Doula, ProDoula

• Postpartum Placenta Specialist, ProDoula

• Preventing Trauma in the Birth Room Level 1 & 2, Dancy Perinatal

• Certified Body Ready Method Pro

• Infant & Adult CPR/First Aid/AED Certified

• Bloodborne Pathogen Certified