Great Starts Instructor

Leah Schilling

MAT, ICCE, CPD (CBI), CLE
Classes Taught:
Childbirth Preparation Series

Background:

I have my master’s degree in teaching from USC and was a high school teacher in LA before I moved to the Seattle area. I am a certified postpartum doula with Childbirth International and locally with NAPS (the Northwest Association of Perinatal Support). I am a certified childbirth educator with ICEA and a lactation educator.

Philosophy:

I believe that birth classes should be fun and engaging and help parents feel prepared and confident to ask their questions and make decisions for themselves and their baby. Pregnancy, birth and postpartum can have so many variations and potential challenges. Parents who have clarified their values, trust themselves to get the information they need and feel confident making decisions will feel ready to take on whatever comes when their child is born.

Family, hobbies:

I love spending time with my husband, our two kids and our puppy. As a family, we enjoy playing board games, hiking, camping, and exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

Favorite thing about teaching:

Helping parents connect what they already know from their life before pregnancy – their relationships, experiences, successes – and applying that to what they need to know as they learn how to give birth, care for their baby and be great parents.

Teaching style:
Knowledgeable
Non-judgmental
Conversational
Humorous

Most important thing for students to take away from class: 
Confidence and Knowledge

What I’d like to be doing in 5-10 years:

I love to talk about birth and babies! So I plan to still be working with new and expecting families and continuing to grow as a teacher and birth professional.

Instructor Website: