childbirth educator training program dare to birth know your choices

About Dare to Birth

Learn more about our childbirth education classes available virtually and in Phoenix & Tucson, Arizona; St. Louis, Missouri; and Littleton, Colorado.

Dare to Birth offers a comprehensive childbirth education class taught by experts created to empower families with evidence-based information, advocacy skills, and judgement-free support. Dare to Birth is changing the way families prepare for birth by shifting the focus from fear to informed-choice.

Unlike many traditional childbirth education programs that promote a 'right' or 'best' way to give birth, Dare to Birth doesn't idolize any single type of birth. Whether you're planning a hosptial birth or home birth, medicated or low-intervention birth, our curriculum is designed to support your goals and your unique experience.

Founded in 2022 by Alex Barr, a childbirth educator and birth doula located in Phoenix, Arizona, Dare to Birth was created out the belief that families deserve more support during pregnancy and birth. After working with families and seeing the gaps in perinatal care she knew childbirth education was the solution. Lamaze, the Bradley Method, Hypnobirthing and other popular classes available focus on the “right way” to give birth, often ignoring individual needs, lived experiences, and true informed choice.
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At the heart of Dare to Birth is the belief that childbirth education should be inclusive to all family types, evidence-based and grounded in autonomy. Families deserve access to information and tools that support them in all of their choices.
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Dare to Birth started with one doula who knew families needed more support and judgement-free education. Today, Dare to Birth has grown to seven educators, is taught in three states, and has educated 100+ families. Our classes will always be a space where families can ask questions freely and learn how to advocate for their birth.

Meet The team

Our team of educators, doulas, and advocates are here to walk with you through your unique journey of pregnancy, childbirth, and the fourth trimester.

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Phoenix, AZ

Alex Barr

Dare to Birth Creator, Childbirth Educator & Full Spectrum Doula

Alex is a Phoenix-based birth advocate and doula, a queer, plus-size/fat activist who’s disrupting the negative narrative around birth and empowering pregnant people to trust their intuition and advocate for a more positive and informed pregnancy, birth, and fourth trimester.

Phoenix, AZ

Stephanie Mitchell

Birth Doula, Childbirth Educator, & Student Midwife

Stephanie is a mom of two and is married to her college sweetheart. She has been educating and supporting families in the Phoenix area since 2020. Her favorite part of teaching, is helping families navigate their options and empowering them to be in control of their birth experience. She looks forward to meeting you in class!

Phoenix, AZ

Emmy Howard

Birth Doula & Childbirth Educator
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Emmy is a trained Birth Doula and Educator who strives to serve marginalized and unorthodox communities. She has a passion for advocacy, birth justice and all nerd properties. On her days off she is a kid wrangler and trophy wife.
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Phoenix, AZ

Kaytlin Brown

Licensed Massage Therapist, Birth Doula, & Childbirth Educator

Kaytlin is a Licensed Massage Therapist and Birth Doula servicing Phoenix and the surrounding valley. As a massage therapist for 11 years, Kaytlin brings a unique, body focused approach to birth support. She believes education plays a big role in the birth experience you have and looks forward to bringing the empowering Dare to Birth message to your growing family!

Jane

Chevalier

Littleton, CO

Perinatal Massage Therapist & Childbirth Educator

Jane Chevalier is a mom to one spirited boy and the founder of Take Care Mama Massage, where she supports families through the physical and emotional transitions of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. With over a decade of experience and advanced training in perinatal and abdominal therapy, she’s passionate about helping people recover fully—especially after cesarean birth. Jane thrives on building community, sipping good coffee, and sneaking away for mountain air whenever possible.

Alex

Barr

Phoenix, AZ

Dare to Birth Creator, Childbirth Educator & Full Spectrum Doula

Alex is a Phoenix-based birth advocate, educator and doula, who’s disrupting the negative narrative around birth and empowering pregnant people to trust their intuition and advocate for a more positive and informed pregnancy, birth, and fourth trimester.

Stephanie

Mitchell

Phoenix, AZ

Liscensed and Certified Professional Midwife & Childbirth Educator

Stephanie is a mom of three and is married to her college sweetheart. She has been educating and supporting families in the Phoenix area since 2020. Her favorite part of teaching, is helping families navigate their options and empowering them to be in control of their birth experience. She looks forward to meeting you in class!

Emmy

Howard

Phoenix, AZ

Marketing Director, Birth Doula, & Childbirth Educator

Emmy is our Marketing Director! She is also a trained Birth Doula and Educator who strives to serve marginalized and unorthodox communities. She has a passion for advocacy, birth justice and all nerd properties. On her days off she is a kid wrangler and trophy wife.

Kaytlin

Brown

Phoenix, AZ

Licensed Massage Therapist, Birth Doula, & Childbirth Educator

Kaytlin is a Licensed Massage Therapist and Birth Doula servicing Phoenix and the surrounding valley. As a massage therapist for 13 years, Kaytlin brings a unique, body focused approach to birth support. She believes education plays a big role in the birth experience you have and looks forward to bringing the empowering Dare to Birth message to your growing family!

Teresa

Estilow

Phoenix, AZ

Postpartum Doula & Childbirth Educator

Teresa Estilow is an inclusive postpartum doula and educator who has been supporting the Phoenix and East Valley areas since 2021. As a parent who experienced her own challenges with her postpartum journeys, she was inspired to provide access to compassionate and empathetic support to new and again parent's in their 4th-trimester journeys.

Lauren

Gallen

St. Louis, MO

Birth and Postpartum Doula & Childbirth Educator

Lauren Gallen (she/her) is a trained birth and postpartum doula and educator. She is passionate about birthing advocacy and empowering birthers to take charge of their birth experience and beyond. Lauren believes that birthers are woefully under cared for in society and hopes to provide the tools and community you deserve. She is excited to share the Dare to Birth message with you.

Genesis

Buckhalter-Horne, MPH

Tucson, AZ

Childbirth Educator & Child Passenger Safety Technician

Genesis is a Tucson-based health equity advocate, ready to encourage you to advocate for your choices by empowering you with knowledge. Genesis holds both undergraduate and graduate degrees in public health, and has a special interest in health promotion and the health of birthing people and children. Genesis is a mom of three and is excited to meet you and your growing family!

Jane

Chevalier

Littleton, CO

Perinatal Massage Therapist & Childbirth Educator

Jane Chevalier is a mom to one spirited boy and the founder of Take Care Mama Massage, where she supports families through the physical and emotional transitions of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. With over a decade of experience and advanced training in perinatal and abdominal therapy, she’s passionate about helping people recover fully—especially after cesarean birth. Jane thrives on building community, sipping good coffee, and sneaking away for mountain air whenever possible.

Alex

Barr

Phoenix, AZ

Dare to Birth Creator, Childbirth Educator & Full Spectrum Doula

Alex is a Phoenix-based birth advocate, educator and doula, who’s disrupting the negative narrative around birth and empowering pregnant people to trust their intuition and advocate for a more positive and informed pregnancy, birth, and fourth trimester.

Stephanie

Mitchell

Phoenix, AZ

Liscensed and Certified Professional Midwife & Childbirth Educator

Stephanie is a mom of three and is married to her college sweetheart. She has been educating and supporting families in the Phoenix area since 2020. Her favorite part of teaching, is helping families navigate their options and empowering them to be in control of their birth experience. She looks forward to meeting you in class!

Emmy

Howard

Phoenix, AZ

Marketing Director, Birth Doula, & Childbirth Educator

Emmy is our Marketing Director! She is also a trained Birth Doula and Educator who strives to serve marginalized and unorthodox communities. She has a passion for advocacy, birth justice and all nerd properties. On her days off she is a kid wrangler and trophy wife.

Kaytlin

Brown

Phoenix, AZ

Licensed Massage Therapist, Birth Doula, & Childbirth Educator

Kaytlin is a Licensed Massage Therapist and Birth Doula servicing Phoenix and the surrounding valley. As a massage therapist for 13 years, Kaytlin brings a unique, body focused approach to birth support. She believes education plays a big role in the birth experience you have and looks forward to bringing the empowering Dare to Birth message to your growing family!

Teresa

Estilow

Phoenix, AZ

Postpartum Doula & Childbirth Educator

Teresa Estilow is an inclusive postpartum doula and educator who has been supporting the Phoenix and East Valley areas since 2021. As a parent who experienced her own challenges with her postpartum journeys, she was inspired to provide access to compassionate and empathetic support to new and again parent's in their 4th-trimester journeys.

Lauren

Gallen

St. Louis, MO

Birth and Postpartum Doula & Childbirth Educator

Lauren Gallen (she/her) is a trained birth and postpartum doula and educator. She is passionate about birthing advocacy and empowering birthers to take charge of their birth experience and beyond. Lauren believes that birthers are woefully under cared for in society and hopes to provide the tools and community you deserve. She is excited to share the Dare to Birth message with you.

Genesis

Buckhalter-Horne, MPH

Tucson, AZ

Childbirth Educator & Child Passenger Safety Technician

Genesis is a Tucson-based health equity advocate, ready to encourage you to advocate for your choices by empowering you with knowledge. Genesis holds both undergraduate and graduate degrees in public health, and has a special interest in health promotion and the health of birthing people and children. Genesis is a mom of three and is excited to meet you and your growing family!

Wanna join the Dare to Birth team?

Birth BRAVE and confident

Ready to start advocating for you, your body, and your baby? Explore our fun, educational classes that will equip you to know your options and feel confident making decisions in any moment.

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