I am currently not taking new clients as my schedule is booked until early 2012, then I will be on maternity leave until further notice. Please contact me for referrals to other great doulas in our area. Childbirth education classes will start back up in Summer 2012.

My name is Tara Wallingford, CD(DONA) and I created Swaykin Doula Services in the quest for healthy babies, loving homes and happy families. Since 2008, I have supported over 45 families in birth and beyond. My goal is to help you create the nest you desire during pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period. Some of the specialized services I provide are:

• professional labor support in hospitals, birth centers, and home births, unmedicated and medicated birth, VBAC, cesarean birth, multiples birth, etc.
• professional birth/immediate postpartum photography to capture those first precious moments
• therapeutic exercises to explore fear and anxiety
• breastfeeding assistance, referrals and information
• care for singletons, twins and multiples
• preparation of nutritional snacks or meals in your home
• private and group Birthing From WithinŽ Childbirth Education classes

I am a certified Birth Doula with DONA International and Labor Support Professional with the Academy of Certified Birth Educators and Labor Support Professionals. I am trained as a Postpartum Doula through DONA International. I am also a Birthing From WithinŽ Mentor, leading childbirth education classes in group or private sessions. I have continued my education through attending many classes specifically addressing the childbearing year for mothers, families and babies. Some of the speakers are the greatest minds in birth/postpartum issues, including Ina May Gaskin, Penny Simkin, Christina Smillie, Dr. Harvey Karp, Pam England and Sister Morningstar. I live near Westport in Kansas City, Missouri with my amazing husband and our beautiful little girl.

Feel free to look through this site for information about my doula support, education classes and anything childbirth or parenting related. If you have questions about my childbirth education classes or would like to set up an interview for my doula services, please contact me.

"They look so small and frail but they are so great and magnificent.
They are born of the same womb that birthed the cosmos and knitted together the galaxies.
If you could see them as they truly are, you would be astounded.
You would see not little children, but dancing clouds of light, energy in motion, swimming in an ocean of love.
They are so much more than what you see.
As are you."

-William Martin
The Parent's Tao Te Ching