Kayla Duval, Student Midwife

My love for childbirth started like most birth workers: when I was pregnant with my first child.

I went through the traditional OBGYN group practice. It wasn’t until I was about 36 weeks pregnant that a doula approached me who was working towards getting certified. I didn’t really understand the reasons behind natural birth or doulas at that time, I also didn’t think I would need her but decided she could use my birth for her certification anyways.

The big day finally came at almost 39 weeks. I was so nervous and confused on what was happening to my body. It all happened very fast and while I do not remember ever calling my doula nor do I remember her showing up, I do remember this woman who I barely knew holding me in the shower as I cried during the peak of my contractions.

I remember the way she made me feel loved and cared for.  It was at that moment that it all clicked for me. I went on to have two more natural hospital births and then my 1st home birth with a midwife.

I became the “doula” for my family from that moment on after my first birth but decided to expand into being a full time doula for all women a few years later. I took my DONA doula training in 2015 and life took off from there.

Towards the end of 2015 I became a full time student midwife at a local birth center in Coeur D‘Alene. I worked there until April of 2017 when I decided it was time to have a break to fill my cup and have quality time with my family. I took about 8 months off and came back to midwifery re-energized at the end of 2017.

I am so excited to be a part of the future of Spokane River Midwives team. I am working through the apprenticeship model of midwifery education using NARM’s PEP (Portfolio Evaluation Process). Over the past few years my training has included:

DONA birth doula 2015
Placenta Encapsulation 2015
Student Midwife 2015
Madriella Birth & Postpartum Doula 2015
Certified Birth Assistant 2016
Neonatal Resuscitation Certified 2016
Spinning Babies 2016
IV/Suturing/Pharmacology 2017

When I am not working at Spokane River Midwives, I spend my time with my 4 wonderful children and husband Joseph. We have 3 girls (10, 8, 3) and 1 boy (5). We have a little home in Spokane Valley, Washington with our dog and cat.

My family keeps life interesting and fun! Hobbies of mine current and past times include; Decorating our little home (I love pioneer woman), binge watch my favorite shows on Netflix (like everyone!), and throwing get togethers with friends and family (baby showers, BBQs, and birthday parties). I love having any reason for everyone to get together and have great food. And at one time, I used to extreme coupon (yes, I was one of those ladies).