About Charlene – Heart of Birth

I came to birth work through a nurse at a friend’s birth- she looked at me wiping my friend’s forehead, whispering encouragement to her and said “You’re really good at that, you know you can get paid to support people?”.

I spent time as a DONA-trained doula, and transitioned to childbirth education when I found Birthing From Within in 2002. I was inspired by their non-outcome focused and creative approach to preparing families for birth. I spent 20 years as a Birthing From Within Mentor, eventually becoming a Facilitator for the program. In 2023 I moved to integrating the Transformed By Birth practices into my work, competing the 6 month Transformed By Birth Apprenticeship. I find my work as a “birth priestess” to be the calling and celebration of my heart.

In my personal life I’m married to a wonderful trans woman, have three amazing adult kids, and a house full of pets. I am a priestess, writer, artist and game designer (in my copious free time!)

My Pledge

I promise to treat each family that comes to me with kindness, integrity, and respect.
I will listen to them, support them, and guide them with all of my wisdom and resources, while holding space for their own wisdom, and their own lived experiences.
I promise to speak with conviction and honesty about labor, birth and parenting, without equivocation or evasion, as supported by my values and principles.

My North Star Values

Creativity ~ The human soul is made of imagination
Compassion ~ Caring about others helps us thrive
Self-Exploration ~ “Who am I” is the most important question we can ask
Fun & Play ~ Everything with a light heart

My North Star Principles

Birth is a profound mystery that deserves respect and reverence, no matter where it takes place.
Data and statistics have value for activism and prenatal decision making; they are less useful in the birth space.
Exploring the spiritual and emotional journey of birth is a vital part of preparing for labor, for all parents-to-be.
No one comes to birth completely ignorant of birth; we have heard a lifetime of cultural and family messages.
“Planning” for birth inhibits our ability to be adaptive and resilient. No outcome is ever guaranteed- we can only meet each moment as it comes.
The physical sensations of labor are best approached by building a compassionate coping mindset and making practices habitual.
Examining your feelings, assumptions and beliefs towards birth will help inform how you navigate through birth.
Non-traditional families deserve birth preparation, too.

Curriculum Vitae

Core Education & Memberships
2023-2024 Transformed By Birth Apprenticeship
2002-2023 Birthing From Within Mentor
2021-2023 Birthing From Within Facilitator
2019-2020 Birthing From Within International board member

Professional Trainings, Workshops & Conferences
DONA doula training 1998
Intern at Waterbirth International 2000-2001
Waterbirth International Conference 2001
DONA doula workshop 2001
Birthing From Within mentor training 2002
Birthing From Within mentor retreat 2004
Birthing From Within mentor training 2005
Birthing From Within advanced training 2007
Exploring the Labyrinth workshop 2011
Western Washington Labyrinth Network Fall Gathering 2011
REACHE Conference 2014-2017
Birthing From Within advanced training 2015
Birthing From Within Birth Art training 2016
Spinning Babies training 2017
Northwest Doula Conference 2017
Speaker REACHE Conference 2019
Birthing From Within mentor retreat 2019
Birthing From Within Facilitator Training 2019
Co-Chair Northwest Doula Conference 2019