In an effort to serve our childbearing community during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are now offering virtual childbirth education. You can register at the bottom of the page.
Meet the instructors

Julie Harwell, RN, BSN
jharwell@kvhealthcare.org
Childbirth Preparation, Grandparent Education
Julie Harwell has been working as a childbirth educator since 1987. During her tenure at Seattle Midwifery School (now Simkin Center for Allied Birth Vocations at Bastyr University), she developed their childbirth educator training curriculum and worked as lead educator. She has been a registered nurse for 25 years and has spent her entire career supporting childbearing women through labor and delivery. When she isn’t teaching childbirth class she can be found on her farm tending to dairy goats.

Rozsika Steele, MS, IBCLC
rsteele@kvhealthcare.org
Infant Feeding & Lactation Education, KVH eLearning
Rozsika Steele is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and is developing KVH’s first lactation program. She has been supporting families through her work as birth doula and childbirth educator since 2007. She earned her Master’s degree in Resource Management and has published work in the field of visual ethnography. In addition to her work in maternal-child health; she is a photographer, beekeeper, and mother to four children.
Free Webinar Series
If there is a topic you are interested in learning more about please contact us at FamilyBirthing@kvhealthcare.org with your idea.
Disclosures:
There are no conflicts of interest for these activities.
The information presented is meant for educational purposes only.
The views expressed are those of the presenter and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by Kittitas Valley Healthcare.
For medical advice, please contact your healthcare provider.
Creating Meaningful Learning Communities
Creating Meaningful Learning Communities: How COVID has helped us to Reimagine Possibilities in Education.
Presenter Bio: Natalia Parker, a founder of and the current Director at Discovery Lab of Ellensburg, has worked with children and families in varying capacities for the past 20 years. After graduating with degrees in Psychology and Infant Mental Health, Natalia worked in various roles educating and supporting caregivers, children and students in grades Kindergarten through Post-Secondary. Currently, in her role at Discovery Lab she works to support meaningful and engaging teaching and learning practices that best support healthy child development. When she isn’t at work she loves to be outside exploring the beautiful area we live in.
All KVH Childbirth & Family Education presenters are local experts covering a range of topics of interest to families at all stages.
Lip and Tongue Tie Updates
Infant Lip & Tongue Tie Update, Presented by Dr. Neal Smith DMD, Central Washington Pediatric Dentistry, Ellensburg, WA
Family Feeding Dynamics
Feeding kids can be stressful! This webinar focuses on a simple, stress-free approach to mealtime that will help your child create a lasting healthy relationship with eating.
This webinar is presented by Dana Ogan.
Dana is an Associate Professor at Central Washington University where she directs the Dietetic Internship and undergraduate Food Science & Nutrition program.
Dana’s research interests include vitamin D, nutrition in athletes with spinal cord injury, and child nutrition. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, yoga, and reading.
Dana lives in Ellensburg with her husband (Greg), their 2 sons (Michael & Andy) and their beloved goldendoodle (Fergie).
All KVH Childbirth & Family Education presenters are local experts covering a range of topics of interest to families at all stages.
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Childbirth Preparation Series
Cost: $75
7 weeks of Wednesdays from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Classes are hosted through Zoom. Each participant will be scheduled for a private, in-person tour of the KVH Family Birthing Place followed by a Q&A session with Julie Harwell, RN, BSN.
What to expect from the third trimester of your pregnancy through caring for your newborn: relaxation and breathing, support roles, signs of labor, medical interventions, pain management, cesarean birth, infant feeding, newborn care, and taking care of mom postpartum.
2022 Series Dates
Series 1: Jan 5, Jan 12, Jan 19, Jan 26, Feb 2, Feb 9, Feb 16
Series 2: March 2, March 9, March 16, March 23, March 30, April 6, April 13
Series 3: April 27, May 4, May 11, May 18, May 25, June 1, June 8
Series 4: June 22, June 29, July 6, July 13, July 20, July 27, Aug 3
Series 5: Aug 24, Aug 31, Sept 7, Sept 14, Sept 21, Sept 28, Oct 5
Series 6: Oct 19, Oct 26, Nov 2, Nov 9, Nov 16, Nov 21 (Thanksgiving week Mon), Nov 30
Register online at the bottom of this page.
Conversation with a Lactation Consultant
Breastfeeding Support is Free of Charge at KVH
Are you interested in learning more about breastfeeding? Schedule a private two-hour virtual consultation with Rozsika Steele, MS, IBCLC.
Recommended for both first time and experienced mothers. Consultation will be hosted through Zoom and scheduled per request.
Please call 509.962.7388 for more information.
Conversation with a Childbirth Educator
Cost: $50
Do you need to review the essentials, brush up on comfort measures, learn how labor can vary from prior childbirth experiences? Schedule a private 2-hour virtual consultation with childbirth educator, Julie Harwell, RN, BSN.
This option is for experienced parents only. Consultation will be hosted through Zoom and scheduled per request.
Sibling Preparation
Unfortunately, until social distancing restrictions are lifted, we are unable to host a sibling preparation class.
We have put together a list of online stories that you can use to help introduce the idea of a new sibling. We also have a fun idea for creating a welcome gift for baby. Enjoy!
A Grand Adventure
Cost: $50 (not covered by Medicaid/Apple Health)
A forum for grandparents to be. Explore ways to be supportive to your child as they welcome their new baby. Hear current recommendations and parenting guidance from childbirth educator and grandmother to 5, Julie Harwell, RN, BSN. The journey has changed in the new millennium!
Consultation will be hosted through Zoom and scheduled per request.