ABOUT  BIG  BELLY  SERVICES

My Vision

     I am worried about the condition of our planet and about the state of humanity.  I absolutely believe that how we are birthed is at the core of how we, as humans, view the world and humanity. 

     Birth is a transforming process.  I have personally experienced and witnessed the emotional, psychological and spiritual impact it has on babies, women, and families.   I am passionate AND hopeful about the process of birth and the transformation it brings.

     I envision a world where are all women are trusted to bring forth their babies in the ways that will most manifest their innate wisdom, internal power, and love.  I envision a world where all parents and families are nurtured and respected as the guardians of the future.  I envision a world where all babies are birthed in dignity and respect for their physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual capacities. 

Who is behind Big Belly Services?

Carrie Kenner, Owner

     My name is Carrie Kenner and I am the proud mother of Big Belly Services.  I started Big Belly Services in 2001 after the birth of my last child.

        I have three children ranging in age from eight years to twenty-nine years.  My journey into childbirth began while pregnant with my first child.  As a young, first-time mother-to-be who believed I could do it, I wanted to read everything I could find on natural birth. 

     I relentlessly persevered to find midwives to support me in birth, and had a powerful experience.    I found birth to be transforming to who I was as a person, and wanted to share that positive aspect with others.

     My first passion was to be a midwife.  I began by supporting friends and my sister in labor in 1981.  And then, another child was on the way.  While pregnant with my second child, I studied with the Tacoma Childbirth Education Association  and began teaching childbirth preparation classes. 

     At this time, I was unable to afford midwifery school, so I decided to pursue being a doctor. After three years of pre-med, I learned that being a doctor wasn’t where my heart was at (and I still couldn't afford midwifery school) so I worked in healthcare administration for the next 16 years. I left that work in December 2000 before the birth of my third son, and decided to return to my original passion and resumed teaching childbirth classes and became a professional doula.  I became a certified doula in 2002, and am a Certified Mentor with BIRTHING FROM WITHIN®.

     Because of my experience working with families in all stages of their parenting journeys, and my interest in pre- and perinatal psychology, I began offering pre-conception counseling in 2003.  I have expended my counseling services to offer support to new families as they make decisions about their birthing options, and to help families resolve disappointment or trauma after difficult births.

     I am also fortunate to work with aspiring doulas and midwives as an instructor at Seattle Midwifery School and Bastyr University.  At Seattle Midwifery School I am a faculty member and instructor for the Labor Support (Birth Doula) Course.  At Bastyr University, I am an adjunct faculty member teaching Childbirth Education and Doula Training in the Midwifery Program.

     In 2006 I fulfilled a years-long dream and held the first Sacred Doula Training in Breitenbush Hot Springs.  The joy I felt at manifesting this dream, and the rewards from uniting with many other kindred spirits around the sacredness of birth, made my heart swell and further ignited my fire to share my passion. 

     My life's work is to heal the world and manifest peace by changing the nature of modern birth practices.  I presented my vision of Birth as a Peace Movement at University of Washington in May 2006, and conduct advanced doula trainings on Newborn Consciousness and Ensuring Gentle Birth for Babies. 

        My intention as a teacher, doula, and counselor is to facilitate self-discovery in others, and to raise awareness of the consciousness of babies from pre-conception and onwards.  I derive my greatest joy witnessing the transformation a person goes through in their parenting journey.  I am honored to be able to work with people at this incredible time in their lives, to do what I love, and call it my ‘work’.

        I am passionate about honoring our earth and our environment - the universe.  In 2009, I spent six months on a small permaculture farm in Snohomish, learning how to raise small farm animals, my own food, and live in harmony with land.  I am now creating a mini urban farm in Seattle.  I love reading, learning from children, gardening, hanging out with trees, being in water, and sunshine.  I LOVE babies and would love to have had many more : )

Carrie's training and credentials.