Our
Mission
It is my goal with Nurturing Childbirth to provide women and their partners with the knowledge not only to understand pregnancy and childbirth, but also to embrace it with open arms and excited anticipation. My hope is that every woman would be able to fully own her birth experience and gain both strength and confidence as a mother through the process.
With a background in dance, nutrition, midwifery, ministry, and herbal medicine, I bring a unique outlook to the table. Having completed a degree in Nutrition, and taken courses in both Midwifery and Herbal Medicine at Bastyr University, I have explored pregnancy and birth from a variety of angles, including the birth of my own daughters, Lucie and Rosalie.
My family and I have been blessed with the opportunity to travel the world, something in which allows me to gain a greater global perspective on pregnancy and childbirth, as well as herbal medicine. My passion for whole foods nutrition, natural health care, herbal medicine and fitness undoubtedly influence my perspective and areas of research. I believe in the importance of medical research and use this to drive the information that I share with others. I am constantly seeking opportunities to expand my knowledge of childbirth and learn new ways to support families throughout their pregnancy and birth. My faith in Christ is at the center of everything that I do and I am honored to serve others during such an intimate and precious time in their lives. I love what I do and I hope that my work touches the lives of countless families around the globe!
Education/Certifications:
BS Nutrition from Bastyr University
ICCE (ICEA Certified Childbirth Educator)
ICPFE (ICEA Certified Prenatal Fitness Educator)
ICD (ICEA Certified Birth Doula, DONA trained)
Certified Women's Herbal Educator (currently in training)
A woman is not meant to experience pregnancy and childbirth on her own, which is why I strongly believe in family centered care. Whether a woman defines “family” as a spouse, tied by blood, or knitted together by deep bonds, it is through the love and support of these relationships that she is able to endure and embrace both the struggle and the joy that this season of life presents. She needs someone she can trust by her side, both in preparation for labor and in labor itself to give her the confidence and strength that bringing a new life into this world requires. It is my honor to walk alongside families during their birth journey, offering support and encouragement both as an educator and as a doula.
I believe that preparing for birth is more than picking out a place to have your baby and packing your bags for the big day. Preparing for birth starts the day you find out that you are pregnant, as you and your family begin an adventure that will change you physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Relationships morph and grow as a family prepares to welcome a new life into their hearts with much excitement, as well as much uncertainty in the unknown. Every baby has its own story and with so many twists and turns, there is no way to ever fully prepare for the birth of your child. My goal as an educator is to give families the tools they need to own their birth experience with intentionality, knowledge, and confidence so that they can fully experience the beauty and power that it holds. A good childbirth course will touch on all of these changes, guiding you and your family along this nine-month journey. The curriculum that I teach is founded on research-based evidence to help you and your family gain a greater understanding of what is happening to your body and your baby both in pregnancy and labor. Traditions that have been passed down for generations and alternative methods are discussed, providing you with a diverse outlook as you piece together your own unique plan and desires for birth.
To read more about the various childbirth classes offered, check out the Classes page above.
About
Kate
As a certified childbirth educator, birth doula, prenatal fitness educator, and herbalist I am passionate about walking with families through pregnancy and birth, empowering them with the knowledge to make informed decisions and cherish every second of this miraculous event.
Testimonials
"Kate was a wonderful teacher and mentor for the birth process. My husband and I emailed her to see if we could get private instruction once we realized we wouldn't be able to attend any scheduled classes. I work long hours and weekends as a physician, who does low risk deliveries myself! I really wanted to have some in-person instruction for my first pregnancy, so that my husband could gain confidence in his ability to help during delivery, and so that I could learn more about the "other side" of laboring. Kate was incredibly friendly, helpful, and tailored her instruction to what we requested. When I went into latent labor a month later, all of the things she taught us came right back to me, and helped me to reach my goal of laboring at home until shortly before delivery at Natividad. I went to the hospital in at 8am and delivered my baby girl at 1:24pm, without an epidural, 8lbs 3oz. It was one of the hardest and most wonderful experiences of my life. I strongly feel that the techniques and coaching she gave me beforehand helped me to reach my goals. Laboring at home was painful, but I felt confident that I had techniques to manage the pain because of the lessons we covered. I have so much respect and awe of the birth process, and appreciate the instruction she gave me."
Jeannine
"Kate was an incredible teacher and provided wonderful guidance for pregnancy and birth. Childbirth can be daunting, to say the least, but her class was a calm, sensible, and warm approach to the process, which helped me have the natural birth I wanted. I appreciated that she covered all sorts of scenarios and options, with no judgement whatsoever. In our class we had multiple couples, and everyone had unique ideas about their childbirth plans, and she was so supportive and helpful to every couple. Whether you want a natural childbirth or a planned c-section, Kate can help you prepare! In addition to being warm and caring, she is also a very skilled teacher—she stays on subject, has really well-structured classes, and covers the material in a timely manner. She is extremely knowledgeable and impressive! Overall, my husband and I feel so fortunate to have gone through this process with Kate’s guidance. Her class really made a difference for us, and I wish every expectant couple could get the same experience."
Jessie