Inez Noble Black, CD(PALS, DONA)
206-322-4623
inezcompassionatedoula@msn.com

In 2000, I trained as a birth doula at Seattle Midwifery School, and in 2001 as a postpartum doula.

I am certified by Pacific Association for Labor Support and Doulas of North America. I completed the Lactation Educator Course with Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association (CAPPA) and The Breastfeeding Educator Course at Seattle Midwifery School.

I am trained and certified to teach Calm Birth advanced prenatal and postnatal self-care methods using meditation. I am passionately committed to this calling to support women and their partners as they prepare for childbirth and parenthood in a conscious, intentional way. My goal is to provide a continuity of care from preconception to birth. In the first weeks postpartum, I offer breastfeeding support to new mothers and share resources for the "fourth trimester" to support their new family.

Women's awareness of the impact of the bioneurological connection between them and their babies makes a difference in their bonding and attachment with their newborns. Research shows the way babies are treated in the womb and how they come into the world influences their personality, development, attitudes and behaviors. Women's physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual preparation has a positive influence on both their and their babies' birth experiences. When women make informed choices throughout their birth journey, they feel empowered and self-confident.

In the prenatal period, I offer information about self-care practices, including relaxation, meditation and visualization. I also have an extensive lending library of books, videos, and cassettes about prenatal preparation, birth process, and parenting.

I advocate for the midwives' model of family-centered care and wholeheartedly support practices that promote normal birth:

• spontaneous start of labor
• freedom of movement
• continuous physical and emotional support
• no routine medical interventions
• upright or side-lying positions for birth
• no separation of mother and baby with skin-to-skin contact following birth
• unlimited opportunities for breastfeeding

At the time of birth, whether at home, in birthing center, or hospital, I hope both women and their babies have a positive memory of their total birth experience, no matter what the outcome.

My wish for each mother is peace of mind and a sense of calm to support the well-being of her baby.

My wish for each baby is to come into this world the gentlest way possible, feeling welcomed, loved and safe.

My wish for each mother-baby pair is to receive a continuum of respectful, compassionate care from everyone throughout pregnancy, birth, and beyond.