Personal: My desire to attend women in birth began after the birth of my first child. I knew, instinctively, that I could have avoided much of the intervention and disappointment if I had support and encouragement in labor. After the beautiful and intervention-free birth of my second child in 1999, I was inspired to begin my training to become a doula. I trained with BirthWorks as a labor support doula and childbirth educator in June of 2000. I also founded birthNETWORK of Northeast Ohio, a non-profit organization helping women seeking a safe and satisfying childbirth experience. My husband's job brought us to Fort Wayne in June, 2005. I took a break from attending births to give birth to our fourth and final baby in June, 2006.
In July of 2007, I participated in a DONA-approved birth doula training with Penny Simkin and Kathy McGrath and I am certified through DONA International. I am thrilled to be attending births in the Fort Wayne area. My family and I live just minutes from Dupont Hospital and the Parkview Family Birthing Center.
Professional: I see my job as a doula as being three-fold, First, to make sure that families have the information and support they need to make decisions during the childbearing year. Second, to provide physical support: massage, position change, and other techniques to help labor progress smoothly. Finally, to protect the birthing family – to hold the sacred space around them so they feel confident and comfortable.
I have experience with all types of births, in all types of settings with all types of care providers. Every pregnant family deserves to have a doula – the person whose only concern is the satisfaction of the laboring mom and her partner.
Services Offered:
- Detailed list of Birth Companionship (labor support) Services
- Pregnancy, Birth and Newborn Photography
- Babywearing Instructor/Distributor
- Breastfeeding help and troubleshooting
- Pregnancy Nutrition Counseling
- Blessingway Planning
- Reiki Treatment
Contact Kat at kathickey@me.com or 260.437.8094.
