Links to Related Organizations

It takes a Childbearing Village to support Childbearing Women

Puget Sound Region

• Open Arms Perinatal Services Supporting women and their families through the childbearing year.
• Northwest Association for Postpartum Support The mission of NAPS is to provide nurturing doula care for all mothers and families after birth by establishing for our members:• Peer support • Referral services • Continuing education • Professional standards and credibility • Visibility in the community  Please visit the website for referral information.
• The Seattle Midwifery School (SMS) is a private nonprofit organization, which has taken the lead in providing training for midwives and labor support providers (doulas) in the United States. SMS offers training programs for direct-entry midwives, doulas, postpartum doulas, and childbirth educators. The school also provides courses on a wide range of maternity care and women’s health issues, and maintains a multi-disciplinary library of midwifery and related literature. Since SMS’ founding in 1978, more than 120 midwives, 1,500 doulas, and 50 doula trainers have graduated from SMS and are practicing throughout the United States and abroad.
• Penny Simkin, PT, is a physical therapist who has specialized in childbirth education since 1968. Among her books are Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn: The Complete Guide, now in its third edition, The Birth Partner: Everything You Need to Know to Help a Woman Through Childbirth, and Episiotomy and the Second Stage of Labor. She has written chapters for three major medical textbooks, and a series of materials on pain medications and comfort measures for childbirth has recently been published by Childbirth Graphics.
• ICAN Seattle Chapter We encourage you to join us.  Learn about the impact of cesarean sections on women and families and hear about options for VBACs in the Puget Sound Area. A great resource for your clients who have cesareans.  For more information about ICAN National see the national website.
• Great Starts is an independent, nonprofit, community-based organization. We provide classes in childbirth options, preparation for labor and birth, breastfeeding, newborn care, grandparenting, and sibling classes. Call 206-789-0883 for class info. We also provide a free breastfeeding hotline to answer all breastfeeding questions. Call (206) 615-8078 between 9 am and 6 pm daily.
• Within Reach (formerly Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Washington State) works to ensure optimal health for all families in Washington by connecting them to the programs, resources and information they need to build healthy families.  Families access social and health information through their website and through four statewide hotlines and ParentHelp123.org an interactive website that helps families find and apply for programs and local services available to them. Our 1-800 operators are available Monday - Thursday 8am to 5:30pm, and Friday 8am to 5pm. WithinReach also produces free health education materials. Please visit our website learn more about these or to order.
• Breastfeeding Coalition of Washington (BCW) is a statewide coalition comprised of 23 local coalitions, individuals, families and health care professionals.  We work in partnership with WithinReach and the Washington State Department of Health, WIC program. We are a resource for local breastfeeding coalitions, other allied organizations and the public. Our website has information on for both families and professionals including details about; legislation, discrimination, ‘how-to’, working and breastfeeding, educational materials, newsletter, projects, awards, research, conferences and more.
• Tacoma Labor Companions is a locally based group of women that are childbirth educators, doulas, or both. Our primary focus is the childbearing years, and the impact that this wonderful life-changing experience has on a family. We believe that knowledge is the key to empowering a woman to make the best choices for her and her family.
• Doula Support at Yahoo Groups This group is designed for Seattle area doulas who are interested in monthly meetings to discuss birth stories, doula education, doula research, and the doula world in general. This group site is also a place to exchange ideas and stories, lend support and learn from one another. If you want to chat, and aren’t sure you can make the meetings, please join! Our monthly meetings are summarized on this board for those what can’t make it. If you have additional questions, please contact Carla at: onedoula@yahoo.com
• Seattle Doulas This email list is for Seattle area doulas to share information about local hospitals, doctors, midwives and any other area birth/doula community information to help make our clients more educated and empowered. This is for supporting each other. This is appropriate for aspiring doulas, doulas in training (seeking certification) and experienced doulas in the Seattle area. Come join our group! For more information: doulacare@hotmail.com

National and International

• Doulas of North America (DONA) is an international association of doulas who are trained to provide the highest quality labor support to birthing women and their families.  DONA was founded by Marshall Klaus MD, Phyllis Klaus, John Kennell MD, Penny Simkin and Annie Kennedy in 1992.   It is a non-profit organization incorporated in Washington state.
• Choices in Childbirth A listing of Pregnancy, Childbirth, Breastfeeding and Parenting information on the Internet
• Doula Network Provides information about labor support and a listing service for doulas.  Sign up today!  DoulaNetwork.com is a part of the Myria Media Network of sites, which includes ePregnancy, with articles and ideas about preconception through postpartum; Myria, an online magazine for the life of a mom; GeoParent, featuring parenting resources and community; and Chef Mom, offering recipes and food features.
• Babies OnLine A site dedicated to new and expectant parents
• The Labor of Love Pregnancy and Parenting Website