Walk With You Birth Services

To the mama whose birth didn’t go as planned—this is your reminder that you are not weak, you did not fail, and you did nothing wrong. Birth is unpredictable, but your strength, love, and resilience never faltered. No matter how your baby arrived, you are their mama. Your story is beautiful. 💖 ( Mama)

Important info!!

Carrier height matters. Babies have large heavy heads with a prominent occipital bone at the back which can be easily pushed forwards by fabric/panels, forcing the chin onto the chest and obstructing airway. This can happen in loose carriers also as baby curls forward and sinks down.

The ideal height is at the nape of the neck so the head is free to move and airway is open. The body of the carrier must be snug to support the chest.

Carrier height can be too low: small/young/sleeping babies need support to their upper back. Older awake babies who have trunk control may enjoy arms out (typically the age they can be perched on the hip and held with one arm).

Please see your local sling library for support if your carrier is too tall or loose. If your baby has a floppy head, let us help you, *don’t be tempted to put the panel height up*. Usually the carrier needs tightening around the chest or the carrier may too big for your baby. See the link below for more information and help/suggestions.

https://www.carryingmatters.co.uk/safe-carrier-height/



Thanks to Ronnie's Creative for the gorgeous artwork

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I never had the pleasure of knowing Penny personally, but I know many who have been directly impacted by their personal and professional relationships with her. She was a very treasured and well known figure in the Puget Sound birth world. The world has lost a beautiful soul.

In Memoriam: Penny Simkin, PT

With profound sadness and a heavy heart, DONA International announces the passing of our esteemed co-founder, Penny Simkin, PT, after a brief battle with cancer. Her departure on April 11, 2024 marks a tremendous loss not only to our organization but to the global doula community, childbirth educators, perinatal researchers, families she supported, and the countless lives she touched through her pioneering work in childbirth and maternity care.

Penny's unwavering dedication to supporting families during one of the most significant moments of their lives has left an indelible mark on the field of labor support and childbirth education. Since 1968, Penny, a skilled physical therapist, embarked on a mission to transform the childbirth experience, making it more empowering, informed, and supported. Her tireless commitment to this cause led her to prepare over 15,000 individuals, couples, and siblings for childbirth, directly assist hundreds of families through labor as a doula, and author several influential books that have become staples in the field that have been translated into several languages.

Penny was a visionary and a luminary in every sense. Her work has paved the way for a new generation of doulas and childbirth educators, instilling in them the values of compassion, evidence-based practice, and relentless advocacy for birthing people and their families. Through her profound contributions and co-founding of DONA International, Penny has revolutionized doula care and childbirth education across the globe, leaving a legacy that will undoubtedly endure for generations to come.
Her book, The Birth Partner, remains a beloved resource for anyone involved in the childbirth process, illustrating her commitment to not only the physical but also the emotional well-being of doulas and families during childbirth.

Though she recently stepped back from her professional endeavors to focus on her family, Penny's legacy continues to thrive through the work of the many doulas she trained, the families she supported, and the impactful works she left behind. Her life was a testament to her passion for making childbirth a positive and supported experience for all.

Penny's life was rich not only in professional achievements but also in love and joy. She and her husband, Peter, were blessed with four grown children, eight grandchildren, four many grandchildren-in-law, four great-grandchildren, and a beloved dog, Casey. Her family was her pride and joy, and she cherished the time spent with her loved ones.

As we mourn the loss of Penny Simkin, we also celebrate her extraordinary life and the countless ways she has enriched ours. Her legacy will continue to inspire and guide us as we carry forward her mission to improve childbirth and support families around the world. Penny's spirit lives on in the work of DONA International, in the lives of the families she has touched, and in the hearts of the many who loved her.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to DONA International in Penny Simkin's memory, to continue her life's work of supporting and educating doulas and families. For more information on how to make a contribution, please visit https://www.dona.org/impactprogram/

We invite all who knew Penny, were touched by her work, or wish to share their thoughts and memories to do so by sending them to [email protected]. Your stories and memories will be a great comfort and a cherished collection for her family during this difficult time.

We extend our deepest sympathies to Penny's family, friends, and the many individuals whose lives she has touched. May her soul rest in peace, and may her legacy of love, support, and education continue to flourish in the years to come.

Motherhood isn't a "one size fits all" journey; it's a universe of experiences, bodies, and stories that rarely look the same.⁠
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The mainstream media hardly shows the stretch marks and strength it takes to be a parent. ⁠
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But we see you! ⁠
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From the first flutter in your belly to the 2:00 am soothings and unconditional love - you're writing a story that's real, unedited, and utterly awe-inspiring.⁠
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Remember, - it's a journey that redefines beauty and strength in ways the world doesn't always recognize. ⁠
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Let's reshape this narrative together, one post, one journey, one amazing mother and parent at a time.⁠
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Check this out!

Interesting in learning about feeding problems that your kids can develop? Who can benefit from feeding therapy? Check out this in person and virtual session next week. (PST time zone)

Y'all - I'm back!!!! Sort of... I'm back for some education!!! I may not be back for full doula services yet, but I'm starting up my online presence again. Starting the new chapter off with "Doulas Doing Business Summit"!

This is tomorrow!!!

In a world filled with inequality, crises and poverty, breastfeeding is the foundation of lifelong good health for babies and mothers. The Snohomish Health District is excited to announce and celebrate World Breastfeeding Week: August 1–7, 2018.
Be a part of The Big Latch On Friday, August 3. Click on the flyer below.

And if normal isn't working for you despite all efforts, formula is okay. It's amazing we have an option that keeps baby fed. Keep on educating, keep on learning, keep feeding those babies!