Sean Hoke CD(BAI)
Full Spectrum Doula
My birth philosophy is simple: every birthing person should feel safe, empowered, and educated to make the decisions they feel are right for their body, their baby, and their birth experience.
My job is to help birthing persons find their voice, but never to speak for them. My job is to assist in labor, both from an emotional and physical standpoint, but never to take the place of a partner. My job is to contribute knowledge and experience, but never to overlook the fact that all births are different, and you know your body, heart and circumstances better than anyone else.
This way of thinking has evolved since 2012, when I took my doula training, but it has its roots in who I am and how I move through the world. A nurturer by nature, I have experience in hospital, birth center, and home birth, and am committed to helping a family explore all their options, no matter what the birth setting. I am experienced in vaginal birth after cesarean (vbac) and I provide full spectrum doula care if a baby is not expected to survive. I have a special heart for these families, as my first son was born still in 2013.
I currently live in Monroe with my husband, our two children and our Bernese Mountain dog Luna. When not keeping up with the latest birth research, I can usually be found hiking, playing board games, building puzzles, or planning my next trip to Disneyland.
My job is to help birthing persons find their voice, but never to speak for them. My job is to assist in labor, both from an emotional and physical standpoint, but never to take the place of a partner. My job is to contribute knowledge and experience, but never to overlook the fact that all births are different, and you know your body, heart and circumstances better than anyone else.
This way of thinking has evolved since 2012, when I took my doula training, but it has its roots in who I am and how I move through the world. A nurturer by nature, I have experience in hospital, birth center, and home birth, and am committed to helping a family explore all their options, no matter what the birth setting. I am experienced in vaginal birth after cesarean (vbac) and I provide full spectrum doula care if a baby is not expected to survive. I have a special heart for these families, as my first son was born still in 2013.
I currently live in Monroe with my husband, our two children and our Bernese Mountain dog Luna. When not keeping up with the latest birth research, I can usually be found hiking, playing board games, building puzzles, or planning my next trip to Disneyland.
Praise for Sean:
"I highly recommend Sean as your doula! She was incredible. Although it was definitely NOT my intention, I set Sean's newest record for longest labor (45 hours!), throughout which she supported both my husband and I. When my contractions weren't coming on regular enough to go to the hospital, she made sure to get me up and moving and doing anything and everything she could think of to get my contractions coming. When fatigue set in, she helped me get some much needed rest and gave me a massage to help me relax. She was also wonderful at incorporating and supporting my husband. Her presence is confident, calm, and kind. When my birth plan changed from unmedicated to getting an epidural, Sean was so supportive. She made my long, arduous labor manageable. I couldn't speak highly enough of my experience with her. "
"I can not say enough good things about Sean. My husband and I were toying with the idea of hiring a doula we just could not decide. We decided to meet a few and just see what we though when I realized my husband had some real fears about being a birth partner. The moment we met her; we felt like we knew her; we knew she was the one!
We met a few times before hand to talk and share ideas. She is a mother herself and has had personal experiences to share which made me feel more prepared and at ease not having many friends who are mothers to talk with about the "real" fears and other concerns.
During labor and delivery is where the real magic of Sean came in. She was like a literal angel by my side (and my husband's) the entire time. My birth plan went out the window as induction of labor set off a series of attempts that ended in c-secion. From start to finish of labor and delivery she was guiding me, massaging my back, getting me essentials, keeping me calm. When I was faced with one challenging decision after the other; she helped me feel empowered about my choices and decisions. The lyric that seriously came to me several times was "in my hour or darkness she is standing right in front of me; speaking words of wisdom" because that is what happend.
She was with me and my husband in the operating room. I would look over and see her sweet face telling me everything was going to be ok and that I was doing great. She also visited us at home about a week postpartum to talk about and process the birth and make sure I was ok with the way things unfolded and made sure I knew she was there for me if I need her. As I said, I could not say enough good things about Sean. She was an angel to both (or all 3) of us when we needed her. I would recommend her to anyone who asks about the services she provided us. Thank you Sean!!"
"I highly recommend Sean as your doula! She was incredible. Although it was definitely NOT my intention, I set Sean's newest record for longest labor (45 hours!), throughout which she supported both my husband and I. When my contractions weren't coming on regular enough to go to the hospital, she made sure to get me up and moving and doing anything and everything she could think of to get my contractions coming. When fatigue set in, she helped me get some much needed rest and gave me a massage to help me relax. She was also wonderful at incorporating and supporting my husband. Her presence is confident, calm, and kind. When my birth plan changed from unmedicated to getting an epidural, Sean was so supportive. She made my long, arduous labor manageable. I couldn't speak highly enough of my experience with her. "
"I can not say enough good things about Sean. My husband and I were toying with the idea of hiring a doula we just could not decide. We decided to meet a few and just see what we though when I realized my husband had some real fears about being a birth partner. The moment we met her; we felt like we knew her; we knew she was the one!
We met a few times before hand to talk and share ideas. She is a mother herself and has had personal experiences to share which made me feel more prepared and at ease not having many friends who are mothers to talk with about the "real" fears and other concerns.
During labor and delivery is where the real magic of Sean came in. She was like a literal angel by my side (and my husband's) the entire time. My birth plan went out the window as induction of labor set off a series of attempts that ended in c-secion. From start to finish of labor and delivery she was guiding me, massaging my back, getting me essentials, keeping me calm. When I was faced with one challenging decision after the other; she helped me feel empowered about my choices and decisions. The lyric that seriously came to me several times was "in my hour or darkness she is standing right in front of me; speaking words of wisdom" because that is what happend.
She was with me and my husband in the operating room. I would look over and see her sweet face telling me everything was going to be ok and that I was doing great. She also visited us at home about a week postpartum to talk about and process the birth and make sure I was ok with the way things unfolded and made sure I knew she was there for me if I need her. As I said, I could not say enough good things about Sean. She was an angel to both (or all 3) of us when we needed her. I would recommend her to anyone who asks about the services she provided us. Thank you Sean!!"
Interested?
Contact Sean & Kalyn today!
Contact Sean & Kalyn today!
Trainings and Certifications
Spinning Babies 1-Day Workshop ~ October 2020
Holding Space for Pregnancy Loss ~ October 2020
Strengthening the Pregnancy and Newborn Loss Support Team Training for Birth Professionals ~ August 2020
Pandemic Doula Training ~ July 2020
First Aid & CPR Certification ~ July 2020
Northwest Doula Conference ~ October 2019
Northwest Doula Conference ~ October 2018
Grief and Loss for Birth Workers (BAI) ~ November 2017
Birth Business School (BAI) ~ November 2017
Neonatal Resuscitation Program Certification w/Karen Strange ~ January 2014
Birth Arts International Birth Doula Training Workshop ~ May 2012
Discover Yoga Prenatal Fair ~ Presenter "What is a doula?" ~ March 2012
Holding Space for Pregnancy Loss ~ October 2020
Strengthening the Pregnancy and Newborn Loss Support Team Training for Birth Professionals ~ August 2020
Pandemic Doula Training ~ July 2020
First Aid & CPR Certification ~ July 2020
Northwest Doula Conference ~ October 2019
Northwest Doula Conference ~ October 2018
Grief and Loss for Birth Workers (BAI) ~ November 2017
Birth Business School (BAI) ~ November 2017
Neonatal Resuscitation Program Certification w/Karen Strange ~ January 2014
Birth Arts International Birth Doula Training Workshop ~ May 2012
Discover Yoga Prenatal Fair ~ Presenter "What is a doula?" ~ March 2012
Birth Doula Rate is $1300 - Inquire about sliding scale and discounts for low income and returning clients.
Click HERE for Sean and Kalyn's Birth Availability
Click HERE for Sean and Kalyn's Birth Availability
Areas we serve: Seattle, Magnolia, Queen Anne, Ballard, Fremont, Ravenna, Green Lake, West Seattle, Des Moines, Kent, Renton, Tacoma, Auburn, Enumclaw, Issaquah, Factoria, Eastgate, Sammamish, Mercer Island, Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Woodinville, Bothell, Lynnwood, Edmonds, Shoreline, Kenmore, Lake Forest Park, Mountlake Terrace, Brier, Everett, Mukilteo, Arlington, Lake Stevens, Snohomish, Monroe, Gold Bar, Sultan and Mt. Vernon. We attend births at Overlake, Evergreen, Northwest, Swedish Ballard, Edmonds and First Hill, Providence Everett, Group Health, University of Washington, Valley Medical Center, Puget Sound Midwives & Birth Center, Center for Birth, Eastside Birth Center, Cascade Midwives & Birth Center, Center for Birth, Sprout Birth Center, Seattle Home Maternity Services and all home births.