About

Hello:

I’m Katharine Gallagher, the person behind MotherBaby Network. In 2003, I followed my partner, David, here to Eugene. My professional background and interests are in public policy. I hold a master’s degree from the UC Berkeley Goldman School of Public Policy. Feel free to check out my bio and  resume.

I have two children. Pregnancy, birth, and motherhood sparked an unexpected personal interest in models of maternity care and the impact they have on women, babies, families and communities. I am interested in all three models – home, birth center and hospital. MotherBaby Network is a platform for exploring maternity care within the context of Lane County and Oregon.

I gave birth to both of my sons in a hospital. My first son arrived via an unplanned cesarean section. My second was born via vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). I have used an OB/GYN and the PeaceHealth Nurse Midwifery Birth Center. I support access to homebirth and have had the good fortune to attend one.

I believe birth is a deeply personal experience with the potential to transform the lives of women and families. Every woman and family is unique. Accordingly, I believe women are best served by informed decision making about their choices in location (home, birth center and hospital) and provider (direct-entry midwife, certified-nurse midwife and OB/GYN). All three kinds of birth settings and providers exist in Lane County. This is not the norm in most of the United States.

In 2008, I founded and remain active in Lane County Friends of the Birth Center. I also participate in Lane County Healthy Babies, Healthy Communities and the local Breastfeeding Coalition.

In 2010, I will complete requirements to become a childbirth educator with Birth Works International. I look forward to being a resource for women and couples who want their childbirth experience to be conscious, pleasant and memorable – classes coming in 2011.

For more, check out my first blog post……