Doula Andrea

Who I am

 

My name is Andrea Balina. I'm from Argentina. Several years ago I moved to Seattle, Washington. I currently live north of the city. I am married and I have three children. I was a PE teacher and aerobics instructor. 

I have completed training as a Birth Doula in Simkin Center for Allied Birth Vocations at Bastyr University, approved by DONA International. 

I am certified by CD(DONA). 

I support your desire for a birth in a hospital, birthing center or at home, in the areas of Snohomish and King County (Seattle and surrounding areas). Seattle Eastside, Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Sammamish, Monroe, Snohomish, Mercer Island, Renton, Bothell, Woodinville, Kenmore, Mill Creek, Everett, Mukilteo, Lynnwood, Edmonds, Lake Forest Park, Mountlake Terrace, Shoreline. 

 

 

Education and Training

 

 

September 2012 - Birth Doula Skills Workshop by Simkin Center for Allied Birth Vocations at Bastyr University, approved by DONA International. Instructors: Penny Simkin and Sharon Muza.

 

October 2013 - Breastfeeding Basics for Doulas by Beyond Birth Seattle. 

 

InJoy Birth and Parenting Education Webinars.

 

March 2014 - REACHE Conference work-study participant.

 

May 2014 - Birth Doula Certification by DONA International. 

 

October 2014 - Orgasmic Birth online conference with Debra Pascali-Bonaro. Symposium with 23 expert sessions,  as a work-study participant.

 

July 2015 - Powerful Prenatals by Belly Services.

 

October 2015 - NW Doula Conference "The Professional Doula".

 

July 2016- DONA Conference Engage.

 

September 2016- TENS in the Toolbox 

 

October 2016- Open Arms Perinatal Services -The longest Birth Award - 45 hs

 

April 2017- Passion for Birth Workshop

 

May 2017- DONA Recertification birth doula  2020

 

May 2017- Supporting Families in Grief

 

May 2017-Spinning Babies Workshop

 

November 2017- Open Arms Perinatal Services- Most clients served Award

 

March 2018- REACHE Conferencia: Confronting racial inequities in the perinatal period

 

Febrary 2018- Lamaze exam to childbirth educator certification 

 

June 2018- LCCE Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator  2021

 

Why I became a Doula

 

In 1996 I became a PE teacher in my home country, Argentina. I was beginning to take my first steps in my career when my boyfriend (now husband) moved to the US. I left everything and followed him. Our three children were born there. I spent time being just a mom, as if that was not enough. In August of 2012, I turned 40. The new decade brought many thoughts to my life and many changes. My youngest son was starting his first year of full day at school, it gave me a lot more time to think about myself and what I wanted to do with my life. 

Like an angel, who brings good news, a friend told me about the world of doulas. She had experienced birth at home with great empowerment and did not hesitate to make a birth doula workshop. Thinking it would be good to team up with another doula, convinced me that this was for me. At first I was hesitant because the workshop was conducted in English, and fluency in the language was a pending subject for me. But in the end I accepted. I bought my first three books. It was amazing, for the first time I felt motivated to read in English, a great moment of double-loop learning and a great personal challenge. I was very happy to participate in this workshop. I discovered for the first time in my life the taste of true vocation. 

In my personal experience, I lost a baby in the first trimester, I've experienced a medicated childbirth and a natural childbirth. 

In my time as a birth doula I accompanied women with different needs. Sweet, warlike, strong, vulnerable, sad, happy ... all special women. I took them by the hands, I held them, I looked into their eyes and I realized, I love being a doula. It is a great honor to be a part of the miracle of birth. Somehow I feel my own rebirth in constant learning, with new dreams to fulfill, empowering Latin American women. They have their right to a respected, humanized, free and safe birth.

 

 

Dear future moms,     

 

You'll experience one of the most profound changes in a woman's life: being a mom. A meeting of intense emotions, from vulnerability to empowerment, with a permanent change of your role and responsibility, in your hands a small, dependent human being. 

The quality of support you receive in that time is essential for you and your family, because meeting your emotional needs throughout childbirth can improve the results.

Nothing compares to the privilege of giving life, and I'm honored to witness this miracle. 

My mission is to accompany you from the non-judgment, support your wishes for a natural  or medicated  birth with the conviction that you are the protagonist and sole owner of your body. 

My wish is that you keep in your memory a positive experience that strengthens you as a woman. 

I deeply believe that our body is designed to give birth. 

I consider childbirth as a normal, natural and healthy process. 

Women have an inner wisdom that guides us, and this ability should be encouraged to give us confidence.  

I work with a loving and respectful attitude, assuming my role as your support program. 

I help with my simplicity, humbleness and insight. 

I don't just give my service, I also put my heart and soul into this work.

Every woman deserves a doula.

 

 

                         More information in my profile of DoulaMatch.net