After a major change in care providers, Sharon sought
out the help of a doula and learned more about birth than she ever thought
possible. That VBAC journey convinced Sharon that she needed to work with
women and their partners as they prepare for the births of their children,
so that they would feel as empowered and supported as she did in 2001!
To support that goal, Sharon took both the Childbirth
Educator Training and Labor Support Course Training in early 2004 at Seattle
Midwifery School, and in May 2004, began working at a local hospital as a
Birth and Family Educator. She also started her birth doula practice, New
Moon Birth, and began providing labor support to Seattle area women and
their families. Sharon is a certified birth doula with both the Pacific
Association of Labor Support (PALS) and DONA International (DONA) and in May
of 2005, joined the faculty of Seattle Midwifery School as a Doula Trainer,
teaching the Labor Support Course to new doulas.
In the fall of 2006, Sharon completed the Gottmann
Certified Training for Bringing Baby Home, and is now a Certified Gottmann
Educator. Sharon also serves on the REACHE Board (Regional Association of
Childbirth Educators of Puget Sound), and sits on the Board of Directors of
the Pacific Association of Labor Support (PALS). Sharon seeks to stay
current on evidence based research by attending local and national
conferences on birth and childbirth education, and participating in advanced
training opportunities. Sharon’s hope as a birth and family educator is to
give women a starting point for learning about the power and process of
birth, and the ability to advocate for themselves before, during and after
the birth process.
