'I once saw a placenta this big!'
(Also? This picture is from 2014 when I was pregnant with my 3rd. I look more tired now.)
Hello, there, I'm Kate.
(She/Her/Hers)
Let me tell you a bit about myself so that when we meet I won't feel like a stranger to you.
Here's the personal stuff. (I've done lots of professional stuff and you can see the official list below.)
I have birthed three kids, one in Sweden and two here in Chicagoland. When our third one joined us things started to get interesting. I mean, finally... after five years of ride-in-the-breeze parenting, we were ready for some real action.
I use sarcasm to mask my fear.
I've been married to my amazing husband for 14 years. He is brilliant and funny and so many of the things I am not. He has offered to father our first three children, but after that I am on my own. We'll see how this plays out. (Update: so far, in his favor.)
I have always been fascinated by birth and pregnancy, and love that I get to spend so much time around it, thinking about it, reading about it, breathing it. I started my birth doula studies before I was ever pregnant and finished my certification (CBI) when my first son was one and a half. I did my original placenta encapsulation training in 2013 and completed my certification. In May of 2016 I completed my certification through APPA which is arguably the most comprehensive and safety-focused training available. I really love placentas (which is great because so many moms love placenta caps!) and have encapsulated over 175 placentas so far.
I love being out and about, and I might be spotted around town trying to bike with three kids (NERVE.WRACKING.) or obsessively sipping my 5th iced oat milk latte of the week, from Hewn. Unless, of course, it's during one of the eight months of Chicago winter, and then you will find me hovering over a cup of coffee inside my home and under an afghan. Or three.
Aside from my time spent living in Sweden, I have always loved traveling and experiencing new cultures. I've been to almost 20 countries including Russia, Brazil, Japan, and the Czech Republic (back when it was still Czechoslovakia). My favorite way to get to know a country is by visiting its markets and drinking coffee while people-watching.
In my stage of life with young kids running around me, traveling doesn't happen as often. Instead I've discovered new pleasures like expelling stress through boxing and sorting and re-sorting the eight billion papers my kids bring home from school. I kind of love the Whole30 and I'm about to start training for my first triathlon. (I mean, that's what I'm telling myself.) I am pretty convinced that community and coffee are amongst God's greatest gifts to parents. Also, humor. If I can keep a sense of humor about something, I know it's going to be okay.
Thanks for taking the time to get to know me. It's so nice to meet you.
Kate's Continuing Education and Birth World Activities
In addition to gaining skill and experience to enhance my doula birth support, I am always interested in attaining more knowledge of the birth field and other related fields. I also enjoy sharing what I've learned about doula care and the postpartum period to others through various public workshops, info sessions, and Meet-Ups. If you're interested in knowing more about my education, or interested in having me speak to a group, please contact me.
(She/Her/Hers)
Let me tell you a bit about myself so that when we meet I won't feel like a stranger to you.
Here's the personal stuff. (I've done lots of professional stuff and you can see the official list below.)
I have birthed three kids, one in Sweden and two here in Chicagoland. When our third one joined us things started to get interesting. I mean, finally... after five years of ride-in-the-breeze parenting, we were ready for some real action.
I use sarcasm to mask my fear.
I've been married to my amazing husband for 14 years. He is brilliant and funny and so many of the things I am not. He has offered to father our first three children, but after that I am on my own. We'll see how this plays out. (Update: so far, in his favor.)
I have always been fascinated by birth and pregnancy, and love that I get to spend so much time around it, thinking about it, reading about it, breathing it. I started my birth doula studies before I was ever pregnant and finished my certification (CBI) when my first son was one and a half. I did my original placenta encapsulation training in 2013 and completed my certification. In May of 2016 I completed my certification through APPA which is arguably the most comprehensive and safety-focused training available. I really love placentas (which is great because so many moms love placenta caps!) and have encapsulated over 175 placentas so far.
I love being out and about, and I might be spotted around town trying to bike with three kids (NERVE.WRACKING.) or obsessively sipping my 5th iced oat milk latte of the week, from Hewn. Unless, of course, it's during one of the eight months of Chicago winter, and then you will find me hovering over a cup of coffee inside my home and under an afghan. Or three.
Aside from my time spent living in Sweden, I have always loved traveling and experiencing new cultures. I've been to almost 20 countries including Russia, Brazil, Japan, and the Czech Republic (back when it was still Czechoslovakia). My favorite way to get to know a country is by visiting its markets and drinking coffee while people-watching.
In my stage of life with young kids running around me, traveling doesn't happen as often. Instead I've discovered new pleasures like expelling stress through boxing and sorting and re-sorting the eight billion papers my kids bring home from school. I kind of love the Whole30 and I'm about to start training for my first triathlon. (I mean, that's what I'm telling myself.) I am pretty convinced that community and coffee are amongst God's greatest gifts to parents. Also, humor. If I can keep a sense of humor about something, I know it's going to be okay.
Thanks for taking the time to get to know me. It's so nice to meet you.
Kate's Continuing Education and Birth World Activities
In addition to gaining skill and experience to enhance my doula birth support, I am always interested in attaining more knowledge of the birth field and other related fields. I also enjoy sharing what I've learned about doula care and the postpartum period to others through various public workshops, info sessions, and Meet-Ups. If you're interested in knowing more about my education, or interested in having me speak to a group, please contact me.
- 1/2020 Earned LCCE credentials - Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator
- 9/2019 Re-certified APPA-C through APPA
- 11/2018 Lamaze Childbirth Educator Seminar w/ Jessica English
- 10/2018 Spinning Babies Workshop w/ Tammy Ryan
- 9/2018 Re-certified APPA-C through APPA
- 7/2018 Placentophagy: Frequency, Rationale, and Associated Neonatal Outcomes online course, 1.5 MEAC hours
- 11/2017 Survivors Giving Birth with Penny Simkin workshop, 8 CEUs
- 5/2016 Certified APPA-C through APPA (Association of Prepared Placenta Arts)
- 8/2015 Rebozo Training with Joni Nichols
- 1/2015 Completed and received TTPS Placenta Encapsulation Certification
- 9/2014 - 11/2016 Hosted the Chicago-Area Homebirth Meet-Up (monthly)
- 8/2014 Belly Binding Workshop
- 5/2014 Birth Professional Conference (Chicago-area)
- 5/2014 Attended Shoulder Dystocia Workshop w/ CNM Hannah Gottschall & CD/CBE Sue Gottschall
- 4/2014 Hosted/Attended Massage Technique for Doulas workshop w/ Abi Lynn, LMT
- 3/2014 Presented on Postpartum Care for Moms at Grateful Yoga (ongoing, every 2-3 months)
- 3/2014 Presented at CVD’s Life With Baby Annual Conference on Postpartum Sex - Swedish Covenant Hospital
- 11/2013 Completed Placenta Encapsulation Specialist Training
- 12/2012 Hosted/Attended Breastfeeding Class for Doulas with Peggy Healy, IBCLC
- 9/2011 - 5/2012 Member of Planning Committee - CVD
- 5/2011 Completed Birth Doula Certification with CBI
- 3/2011 Attended Chicago Doula Conference - Swedish Covenant Hospital
- 3/2011 Started volunteering with Chicago Volunteer Doulas (CVD)
- 2/2009 Started Birth Doula Training with Childbirth International (CBI)
Areas Served
Evanston, the Northshore, Arlington Heights, Northwest Community, Evanston Hospital, Condell, Liberyville, Swedish Covenant Hospital, Illinois Masonic Hospital, Prentice Women's Hospital, Presence Resurrection Medical Center, Northbrook, Chicago, Skokie, Wilmette, Winnetka, Glen Oaks, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, Highland Park Hospital, Niles, Glenview, Near Northside, Rogers Park doula, Elmhurst Hospital, Hinsdale Hospital, Rush-Copley Aurora, Rush Medical Center, and more!
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