About Your Instructor
Jessica English

Jessica first became interested in natural birth as a student at Kalamazoo College, where she spent three months of her senior year researching and writing about midwifery. After earning her bachelor's degree in English from K in 1994, she went on to a career in marketing, public relations and journalism.

Originally certified as a Bradley Method childbirth instructor, Jessica transferred her affiliation to ICEA in 2008. She recognized and responded to a need in Southwest Michigan for an independent natural childbirth class that incorporates the best elements of several different "methods." She is also trained as a doula through DONA International, which has both broadened her teaching and enriched her hands-on support for laboring women. Jessica attends about half of her students' births and is always working to deepen her knowledge base to better serve the families she teaches.

In addition to teaching The Best of Natural Birth classes and her role as a mom, Jessica works part-time as public relations and marketing director at the Kalamazoo Center for the Healing Arts, and as a freelance writer. Her work has appeared in publications around the region and the state, on topics as diverse as parenting, business and education. Those communication skills inform and enrich her teaching.

She's an active member of La Leche League International and Natural Families of Kalamazoo, as well as organizer of the annual Family Talk Baby and Family Expo. Jessica has served in leadership roles on the boards of directors of Goodwill Industries, Girl Scouts of Glowing Embers, Professional Women Communicators and the Kalamazoo Area Women's Festival.

Jessica and her husband Keith have had two natural births. Keith caught their son Aidan at Bronson Methodist Hospital in December 2003, and their son Quinn at home in July 2006.

Jessica teaches natural childbirth because her own birth journey was one of the most amazing experiences of her life. It's a thrill and a privilege to share that with other couples!