Laura Fortner is a dual certified birth doula, Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator and CAPPA trained Certified Lactation Educator. Though always passionate about supporting women and families, the doula-assisted birth of her second child helped her to discover her true calling. She believes strongly in a woman’s innate ability to give birth and that birth itself is not a medical emergency, but a natural function of a woman’s body that can be both transformative and empowering.

 

Laura has attended well over 500 births including numerous VBACs, surrogacy and high risk deliveries as well as multiples. She wholeheartedly believes in unconditional and non-judgmental support for all families whether they choose an epidural, c-section or unmedicated birth. Laura has additional training in acupressure, and breastfeeding including tongue/lip ties as well as maternal mental health.  She is deeply honored each time a family asks her to attend the birth of their child and share in this profound, life-changing moment.

 

Born and raised in New Jersey, Laura worked over 12 years as a public servant in the nation’s first accredited Parks & Recreation Department. She spent four years in Seattle, where she immersed herself in the home birth and midwifery world, finally founding the award winning By Your Side Doula Services. Laura is blessed with an incredible, supportive husband and three beautiful children. She is a proud baseball mom and you can find her at the baseball diamond in her spare time rooting for the Mustangs. Laura is a self proclaimed nerd who loves Marvel, Tolkien, Elizabethan history and old books. She also enjoys reading, cooking and loving on her dogs, Scout and Sailor.