Hello! My name is Finnley!

Kansas City Childbirth Educator

Meet the Class Master

Finnley, Kansas City childbirth educator, smiling at the camera

I equip rad pregnant folks with the knowledge and skills they need to have a safer, more satisfying birth–with confidence!

My number one value in life is community. I’m totally dedicated to improving life for people in my community, whether that be Kansas Citians, nerds, queer folks or neurodivergent babes. As a childbirth educator, I accomplish this by democratizing information about birth.

I’ve spent the last decade expanding my knowledge of fertility, pregnancy, labor, lactation, postpartum and parenting. I carry dozens of certifications in these areas of expertise because I’m a huge birth nerd.

When I’m not mentoring new and expecting parents, you can find me exploring beautiful Kansas City, eating at my favorite Korean restaurant, or playing Dungeons and Dragons.

I’ve lived in Kansas City since 2010, the same year I gave birth to my first child. My propensity for geeking out to the deepest levels on any given subject definitely showed up while I was pregnant and then a new parent. I began my birth work journey and have served Kansas City families in many capacities since then: birth doula, postpartum doula, sleep trainer, New Family Navigator, placenta encapsulation specialist and childbirth educator.

The Birth Nerd outgrew its home with Journey Birth Services in 2016. In 2018, I re-opened the doors after my maternity leave with my final offspring. I’m beyond excited to serve growing families again. I’ve relaunched with more classes, including several postpartum and parenting selections.

*The numbers to the right are somewhat estimated because over time I’ve lost track. And honestly, it’s probably a lot more coffee.

Years in Birth Work

Hours Devoted

Families Served

Cups of Coffee

Why You Can Trust Me

I have more certifications than I can count–and by that I mean I’ve literally lost track of some of them over the years. Oops! But here are some of the most relevant to the work I do here.

Certified Labor Doula

Certified Lactation Educator

Certified Placenta Encapsulation Specialist

Montessori Teacher Assistant

Game to Grow Educator Certification

Baby Planner Certified

Diverse Families Certification

Certified Postpartum Doula

Certified Fertility Specialist

Certified Infant Sleep Educator

Empowered Partner Certification

Essential Oils Certified

“What new parents need isn’t a bunch of facts and data thrown at them, even if they find that information fascinating. Combining the research with practical skills is the best way to go.”

My Approach

I have loved teaching since I was a child. I would design fun content and lesson plans based on each of my imaginary student’s needs. I honed this approach in the Montessori classroom as a teaching assistant and refined it for adult education when I became a childbirth educator.

I teach a unique set of classes designed for pregnant and postpartum people. From pain coping to nursery design, if you have questions about the childbearing years, I have answers. I can also create a class based on your unique needs.

  • Customizable Curriculum
  • The Latest Research
  • My Experience Serving Nearly 300 Families
  • Bad Puns & Nerd References

Nerd Life

My initiation into nerd culture started with simulators, real-time strategies and puzzle adventure games on desktop when I was a child. I then became totally obsessed with Harry Potter in middle school. But I still didn’t consider myself a nerd until I was well into my late 20s.

Taking a deep dive into the Marvel cinematic universe was a gateway to comic books. It wasn’t long after that until I started playing Skyrim, Magic the Gathering and Dungeons and Dragons. I love all things Doctor Who, Critical Role and Nintendo Switch. Finally accepting myself as a nerd completely changed my life.

I love being able to combine my hardcore nerd obsessions with my passions: pregnancy, labor and parenting. And I’d love to join you on your own adventure.

These are a few of my favorite things…

Currently Playing

cover for Animal Crossing New Horizons on Switch
cover for Spiritfarer on Nintendo Switch
cover for Skyrim on Nintendo Switch
cover for Diablo 3 on NIntendo Switch

Currently Listening To

Role Models

Queer Eye cast on a purple background

Currently (re)Reading

cover of The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan

Always Watching

Let’s Make Your Birth Dreams a Reality

Schedule a Consult

If you know exactly which package you want to book, you can skip this step! But if you’d like some guidance from a childbirth educator in choosing the right option for you (or you just want to have a cup of coffee with me!) smash that like and subscribe button–wait, no. Click the button below 😅

schedule a consult with Kansas City childbirth educator right on your phone
sign a contract and fill out your paperwork with Kansas City childbirth educator

Get Onboarded

After you choose your package, I’ll get you onboarded with a digital contract and invoice you can pay online. Then you’ll fill out a Client Questionnaire to help me get to know you and your needs better.

Schedule Your Classes

It’s time! Let’s get your classes on the calendar. I’ll send you a convenient scheduling link and you’ll pick time slots that work for you. Easy peasy!

book your classes with Kansas City childbirth educator

Interested in Taking a Class with Finnley, Kansas City Childbirth Educator?

Kind Words From Past Clients

I had the pleasure of having Finnley participate in my pregnancy and birth of my youngest son. She was always warm and friendly and made me feel very comfortable. She went above and beyond.

Roxi Nevin

We LOVED her! She is so sweet! Finnley was an such an essential part of our birth team.

Stephanie Cartwright

Finnley is amazing, and I can't recommend her highly enough! She is compassionate, professional, very knowledgeable, and dedicated to her clients.

Emily Carpenter

Finnley will always have a special place in my heart after her role in helping me achieve my goal of an unmedicated VBAC. I chose her after reading reviews about her gentle presence and her encouragement... There was something about the way people wrote about her that drew me to her.

Nora Given

Finnley was very supportive all throughout my pregnancy, birth, and post-partum periods. She is extremely knowledgeable and makes every effort to be available any time you need her. I highly recommend Finnley!

Alison Lebien

Sometimes I Write About Birth Stuff

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My Empowering Journey to Becoming a Birth Coach

My passion for teaching started youngI didn't always know I wanted to be a birth coach. In fact, I didn't know this was even an option until I was in my 20s. But when I look back on my life, it's so easy to see birth is where I belong. I have always loved learning. As...

Engaging Childbirth Education in Kansas City–and Beyond!

Engaging Childbirth Education in Kansas City–and Beyond!

History of The Birth NerdIn 2010, I moved to Kansas City. I was pregnant with my first child and at the beginning of my journey into birth work. I founded Journey Birth Services, my first of several companies offering services to pregnant, laboring and postpartum...

Let's Chat!

In tabletop gaming, such as Dungeons and Dragons, the person running the game is called a Game or Dungeon Master. The Dungeon Master's job is to walk their party through the world, setting up the parameters for the adventure. The DM helps players design their characters, but isn't the arbiter of anyone's decisions. I absolutely love being the DM.

In childbirth education, I like to think of myself as a Class Master. I will help you design a curriculum that fits your needs and interests. I'll be a guide on your adventure, but won't tell you what to do. And most importantly, I'll celebrate your successes right alongside you.

Schedule a coffee date consultation with the Class Master today and let's geek out!

 

The Birth Nerd's d20 logo
The Birth Nerd's Let's Geek Out logo in purple and green

Connect with Me

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Contact Me

(816) 533-4909
hello@thebirthnerd.com

Teaching In

Kansas City, Overland Park, Lee's Summit, Olathe, Shawnee, Lenexa, Leavenworth, Prairie Village, Leawood, Parkville, Fairway, Mission Hills, Lake Loawana, Westwood, Mission, Liberty, Merriam, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Independence, Roleand Park, Lake Quivira, Gladstone, Raytown, Grandview, the entire KC metro and BEYOND!