About Brenda
Brenda Baar, CD(DONA), GBCE
I am a mother of three, a certified birth doula, and certified GentleBirth educator. Born and raised in Grand Rapids, I am a graduate of Calvin College with degrees in education and Spanish and a former public school teacher. Since 2013, I have had the honor of supporting and teaching hundreds of local families.
My journey toward becoming a doula began on Valentine's Day 2009 when my twin boys, Owen and Carter, were born. During their first year, I was confused by the endless and contradicting words of advice and overwhelmed by the new experiences of being a mom. As I began to find my own way as a mother, I also discovered a passion for supporting and encouraging new parents. A few months after my daughter Clara’s birth in 2012, I made the decision to pursue a career as a doula and officially began the process of certification a year later.
In November 2016, I was granted a full scholarship to become Michigan's first certified GentleBirth Childbirth Educator. I am proud to currently be a certified through DONA International and GentleBirth and grateful to have found a challenging and fulfilling career that I love.
From both professional and personal experience, I know that there is no one-size-fits-all way to have a beautiful, healthy, and satisfying birth experience. I am passionate about providing non-judgmental support and education, as well as raising the bar for what defines a healthy and positive birth.