JBRN - OKINAWA
Japan Birth Resource Network is the Founding Chapter of MBRN, proudly serving the Pacific.
About Us
Est. 2013, Founding Chapter of the Military Birth Resource Network.
The Mission:
The Japan Birth Resource Network, Founding Chapter of MBRN provides a supportive network for military families by developing opportunities for women and their families to be a part of a community that provides pregnancy, labor and birth, postpartum, lactation, and parenting support from one duty station to the next.
What We Offer:
Provider listings: Doulas, IBCLC's, Birth Centers, etc.
Free Birth Talk meetings to include guest speakers and informative topics.
Events such as movie showings,workshops, Birth & Baby Fairs, Red Tent Events.
Connections with other families in the community.
Support Groups
Connect with us on Facebook or Email today!
Learn about local events JBRN Okinawa is hosting.
Have a question?
Join JBRN Okinawa’s Team
Email: JBRN@mbrnpc.org
Chapter MEMBERS
Chapter Members are active with your local Chapter and working hard to build your community while providing much needed resource to the military community.
We are happy to provide listings for your community. The birth professionals listed have endorsed the Military Birth Resource Network's Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice and where applicable they have a base license. These professionals endorse our goal to make a positive difference for pregnant women, new mothers, and their families through education, nurturing, and advocacy while fostering respect, knowledge, and integrity among professionals everywhere.
Find a birth or postpartum doula. There are a range of levels of experience for doulas from the newly trained doula to a doula with many years experience. There are a range of "well seasoned" to "brand new" doulas to fit your needs. Doulas listed on our website do not work for MBRN or the Local Chapter. We support a mother's right to choose the type of birth that is right for her - un-medicated, medicated, cesarean, VBAC, home birth, hospital birth, or birth center birth. Every woman will choose birth practices that she feels is right for her and regardless of those choices, our goal is to support her during this incredibly important time. There are variations in philosophies and practices in the professionals listed in our member guide. The doulas within our network are trained by a national or internationally recognized organization. It is the responsibility of each consumer to verify the credentials of each professional. MBRN encourages consumers to interview professionals to determine which professional is the right person for their needs. Some doulas may provide volunteer services while others will charge a fee for service, MBRN does not regulate a doulas' fee but the network does encourage doulas participating in this program to consider each families' situation and circumstances.
Sprout Pelvic Health
Serving families on Okinawa
Connect with me on social media!
Dr. Sara Vanstraten, PT, DPT, RDH
Email: sara.vanstraten@sproutpelvichealth.com
Website: https://sproutpelvichealth.com
I have been a healthcare professional since 2002 and I have strived to serve my community throughout that time. After practicing dental hygiene in Florida for 13 years, I decided to return to school and obtain my Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) at the University of South Florida. I believed a career in physical therapy would aid me in educating others on how to decrease their pain, help them become more functional and lead those searching for happier, healthier lives to their destination. Additionally, while completing my Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science for DPT school at Florida State University, I obtained my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, which has helped me to connect with my patients and has provided me a better understanding of mental health conditions.
After graduating from physical therapy school in 2018, I chose to move to San Diego CA with my loving partner, where I practiced physical therapy; including pelvic floor rehabilitation. Since moving to San Diego, I have completed all courses in the Pelvic Floor series offered by Herman & Wallace, in addition to the Mobilization of Myofascial Layer course, providing me with the education and confidence to treat those underserved with pelvic pain conditions; bladder and bowel dysfunction; and core or pelvic issues. Further, I am trained to treat patients diagnosed with vertigo, concussion, and patients with a history of migraines.
My husband and I were recently stationed in Okinawa and now I am ready to treat patients that would benefit from pelvic floor therapy while we are on this beautiful island. When I am not treating patients and friends I love to run, hike to waterfalls, snorkel and search for new hot spots to dance with my remarkably talented husband.
Growing Wild Birth Services
JBRN Okinawa Chapter Member
Bridgett F.
{Birth Doula}
Email: growingwildbirthservices@gmail.com
Phone: 080.6481.3178
I am a mother and I am inspired by mothers, every single day and consider it an honor to serve them and their families on this beautiful Island. As a Birth Doula I provide continuous informational, emotional and physical support and hold space for growing families during this special time of their lives.
As Chapter leader of JBRN (MBRN’s founding chapter) my goal is to help educate the public about the many wonderful resources available and to connect families to available birth workers in Okinawa. I strive to educate, encourage and empower parents as they journey through pregnancy, birth and beyond.
Glow Life Birth Doula
JBRN Chapter Member
Connect with me on social media!
Lindsay Blew, CD(DONA)
{Certified Birth Doula}
Email: Lindsay8262@hotmail.com
Phone: 08070917117
Birth is an incredibly transformative human experience, and you deserve to be surrounded by a strong support team ensuring you feel loved and confident. The power is yours, and if I am invited into your birth space, I will strive to be a constant reminder of the strength you possess. If you have a primary birth partner, I aim to enhance your bond, not replace it, while your partner is fully present.
As a passionate birth supporter, my role can morph according to what you need in each moment. Practically, that may mean providing evidence based information, modeling comfort measures, allowing your partner a moment to step away, providing a cool rag, snapping a few photos, or offering lactation support. I’ve worked with women across the spectrum of cultures, experiences, and birth choices. I am committed to making sure you never feel alone, unsafe, or unheard.
I’m a certified birth doula and photographer, and have additional experience with waterbirth, homebirth, hypnobirthing, babywearing, cloth diapering, and childbirth education. Connect with me over email or Facebook to figure out the next steps. I look so forward to joining you on this journey!
Funding program for birth or postpartum doulas.
SUBMISSIONS ARE now open.
Application has been extended until
May 31st, 2021.
The details
*Five $200 grants will be awarded.
*Grants are available to military families or service members. We encourage to utilize MBRN birth and postpartum doulas. If this is not an option, the non affiliated doula will need to agree to the MBRN SOP and COE.
Check your duty station.
* You will be notified via email/phone upon being selected for a
Helping Hands Grant by May 30th, 2021.
This program was created to help provide financial assistance for military families or service members hiring a birth or postpartum doula.
Below you will find how this program works and what your obligations are as the recipient.
Hiring a birth doula, payment and terms of agreement.
The birth or postpartum doula can be a member of the Military Birth Resource Network or a trained/certified doula in good standings. Not all duty stations have MBRN doulas at their location. If this is not an option, the non-affiliated doula will need to agree to the MBRN SOP and COE.
Chosen recipients will be required to provided proper verification of military service.
It is the recipients personal discretion who they hire within the Military Birth Resource Network listings or at their duty station. Doulas listed on our website do not work for MBRN. The birth professionals on our listings have endorsed the MBRN Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics, have approved base business licenses (if applicable) and preserves our goal; Our goal is to make a positive difference for expecting and postpartum military families and service members through education, nurturing and advocacy, while fostering respect, knowledge and integrity among doulas everywhere. Our doulas support all kinds of birth - unmedicated, medicated, Caesarean, VBAC, home, hospital or birth center. Every individual must make the choice for oneself as to what kind of birth is desired , no matter what our views, should support each other with those choices. There are variations in the philosophies and practices of MBRN professionals. The doulas within our network are fully trained by a national or international organization. It is the responsibility of each consumer to verify the credentials of professionals and MBRN encourages consumers to interview professionals in order to find the care that is right for each individual and family.
We are not responsible nor determine doula fees, contracts or liability insurance if applicable. If the doulas fee is more than the funding provided, it is the responsibility of the expectant mother; recipient, of the Helping Hands Grant to pay the difference to the contracted doula. Any agreements made between the doula and the recipient for any other services, placenta encapsulation, belly casting, breastfeeding classes, birth classes, etc., will be the financial responsibility of the expecting or postpartum family. Any agreements made on payment plans, is not the responsibility of Military Birth Resource Network.
Military Birth Resource Network does not promise or garuntee the availability of the doulas within the network. MBRN is not responsible for the availability or prior commitments of the doulas.
If the birth or postpartum doula services are of a lesser fee than the allocated funding, the amount will only be reimbursable up to the service fee.
Birth Doula vouchers expire 30 days after the delivery of your baby. Postpartum Doula vouchers expire 60 days after the delivery of your baby.
Application