"Christian's training and confidence allowed her to perform above and beyond our expectations as an outstanding and personable doula. We would highly recommend her to any pregnant woman for a birth coach!" - Greenlake Mom
"Christian truly has a gift as a doula, and played a huge role in my ability to have a natural childbirth. I could not have done it without her! We will always be thankful she was a part of our birth experience, and highly recommend her to anyone searching for a doula!" -North Seattle Mom
A little bit about me
I am a Seattle-based, DONA Int certified, birth doula. I completed my training April of 2014 through the Simkin Center for Allied Birth Vocations. I'm thrilled to be growing my career as a doula, as I am passionate about relational, physical, and emotional care for women and families.
I'm a San Diego transplant and while I love the sunshine and water, I have found the Puget Sound to be stunning, the creativity of the city to be inspiring, coffee shops to be a great fit for my soul on rainy days, and since I met my spouse here, while volunteering at a local youth group, I am even more thrilled to call Seattle home!
Why I became a Doula
My journey to becoming a doula began a long time ago, when I really sit and think about it. I loved playing with baby dolls and dreamed that one day I would get to be the doctor who delivered them. In high school, my family moved to China and while I didn't realize it at the time, this played a foundational role in my ability to see people as they are and meet them there. I valued this experience because it allowed me to realize that everyone has a different story and yet we all desire to be known, loved, and heard.
After high school, I attended Seattle Pacific University where I decided to pursue my dream of being an OB/GYN only to realize that I didn't thrive in chemistry or biology courses. Discouraged, I went in a new direction and pursued a BA in Psychology. During a course on the Psychobiology of Women, my junior year, I realized I was still very passionate about wanting to pursue a career where I could help women understand their bodies and capabilities.
During college, I also became a nanny, where I found that I loved not only working with children but also with their parents. I enjoyed building relationships with the children through projects, adventures and laughter, but also enjoyed working with the parents through creating solutions specific to their children's needs, in the areas of: potty training, biting, picky eating, sleep training, speech delays, and positive disciplining.
I found that being intentional, consistent, encouraging, and grace-filled benefited families no matter what they were going through. For those reasons, I knew that the role of a Doula would allow me to continue to grow in understanding and support of families, yet, also allow me to use the education and passion I have for women's health.
After assisting in my first births I was encouraged to see how compassion, empathy, patience and the tools I had learned in training translated into truly helpful ways of building a woman's confidence in her strength. Having gone through my own experience with trauma I am grateful that I have the opportunity to encourage women and transform this experience from one of fear to one of beauty.
It's been an honor to be welcomed into one of the most vulnerable, strenuous and beautiful moments in life.
-Christian Fillingame