Welcome to Birds and Bees Birth Services!
Birds and Bees is the home of Lauren Strain. I am a certified birth doula, childbirth educator and infant massage instructor. I believe strongly in the importance of birth. I believe birth matters – to women, to babies and to the planet.
I believe that birth, even medicalized birth, is not a medical event, but one that encompasses the full range of the human experience. It is a physical, emotional and spiritual event. Birth is private, and yet involves the whole community. Birth is deeply personal, and yet our choices are political.
I believe that when women and their partners are honored in their experience of birthing, and give birth in awareness, they are prepared to be empowered and aware parents. I believe that when we claim our voice and make conscious choices, we empower ourselves and make a deeply positive impact in every aspect of our lives. Physically, emotionally, spiritually, politically. For ourselves, our children, our community, our world.
I have been drawn to birth for as long as I can remember. I Attended my first two births when I was fifteen, and was hooked! I have been educating myself about birth in every context ever since. I worked as a nanny through high school, college and massage school and gained valuable insights into how people transition into parenthood. In 2002 I became a Licensed Massage therapist and in the same year became certified in Pre and Perinatal Massage Therapy. In 2003 I became a Certified Educator of Infant Massage through Infant Massage USA. I ran my own practice for two years, practicing massage with a focus on working with women throughout their pregnancies and labors, and teaching infant massage to groups, families and institutions like adoption and foster to adopt services.
In that time I continued to attend labors professionally as a massage therapist, as well as unofficially as labor support for friends and family members. After giving birth to my own two children and spending five years at home with them, I decided it was time to devote myself to the work I feel most passionate about. I am currently a certified doula through both PALS and DONA International. In addition to doula-ing I teach Childbirth Education, Infant Massage classes, and facilitate a Little Peppers (PEPS) group.
I believe there is no correct way to give birth. I see birth as a gift. Each birth is as individual as the child being born, and brings with it the potential for tremendous growth, healing and transformation. We are each brought to the edge of what we think is possible for ourselves. I believe in your ability to meet the challenges of childbirth. It is my hope that in my roles as a childbirth educator and a doula I can assist you and your partner in meeting the experience of birth, whether it is your first or fifth, with grace, compassion and respect.
My Training and Certifications, at a glance:
- 2002 Licensed Massage Therapist
- 2002 Certified Pre and Perinatal Massage Therapist
- 2003 Certified Instructor of Infant Massage
- 2011 Certified Lactation and Breastfeeding Educator
- 2011 DONA Birth Doula Training through the Simkin Center at Bastyr
- 2012 TENS training, taught by Carrie Kenner
- 2012 Traditional Rebozo, taught by Carrie Kenner
- 2012 PALS Certified Doula
- 2012 DONA Certified Doula
- 2012 Re-Certified in Pre and Perinatal Massage
- 2012 Enrolled in BirthWorks Childbirth Educator Training (ongoing)
- 2013 Integrative Resuscitation of the Newborn – Certified in Neonatal Resuscitation
- 2013 Lamaze Passion for Birth Childbirth Educator Workshop
- 2013 PEPS Group Facilitator Training