Meet Jennifer Hensley | Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer Hensley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
The famous French obstetrician and childbirth specialist Michel Odent once said: “To change the world, we must first change the way babies are being born.” While I am not an obstetrician and do not deliver babies I am a childbirth educator and I would like to think that changing the way babies are being born can begin with me and the knowledge and confidence I breathe into expectant parents for their journeys through labor, birth and parenthood. The love and care I put into my clients extends beyond pregnancy. I know very well how hard the postpartum period can be, and so I strive to be a safe space for my mamas. With Artio Birth Care, mamas aren’t just getting Lamaze instruction, they are also finding a sense of belonging in their local community of new parents.

What should our readers know about your business?
I feel that most childbirth educators may not have been teachers first before becoming certified to teach birth classes. I taught public high school French for 10 years, so when it comes to lesson planning, instruction, pacing, and assessment of learning, I consider myself set apart. I am also the only Lamaze instructor in the entire region and one of only 12 registered LCCEs in the world able to teach Lamaze classes in French. What I am most proud of are my clients, just like with my high school students, their enthusiasm and wide eyes when learning something new make me happy. In my new business, my clients’ success is a birth experience that shows the knowledge and confidence they gained from my classes. Training, studying and taking the quite difficult Lamaze exam was an absolute breeze compared to running a business. I do not have a business degree. I still could not explain what SEO means without using a descriptive word such as “thingy”. I have learned some hard lessons on this entrepreneurial journey and made several mistakes, most of them financial. The thing that others who don’t know me might not have counted on is how stubborn and thus resilient I can be. I have a teacher’s heart and with the lifelong love of learning that comes with it, I also have the need to help. I want to help make this world a brighter and kinder place, and for me that means educating and supporting those that are bringing forth the next generation.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
This area is so rich in culture and history that it is truly impossible to fit everything into a week long trip! I’m a foodie and so I love to explore new places and flavors and foods. A Texas steakhouse, such as Queenie’s in Denton, is a must, as is Texas barbeque and Tex-Mex. With barbeque and Tex-Mex we will have to go to at least two restaurants each day of the week! For breakfast, my favorite places are Sara’s Donut Story in Flower Mound, Ol’ South Pancake House in Fort Worth and Crickles & Co in Dallas. I recently took a friend to The Wild Detectives in Oak Cliff and it and the whole Bishop Arts District will now be a staple of any friend visit with me. One of the nights must include a drive that showcases the beauty of the Dallas skyline. At some point a drive should go past the iconic waterfall billboard and Dealey Plaza. I absolutely love museums and DFW has an incredible selection ! The Dallas Museum of Art and the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth are at the top of my list. Almost every weekend of the year you can find some festival or fair or market in the area so I’d be sure to do thorough research of the trip dates beforehand. And finally, for a first time visit to Texas, it would not be complete without a cattle drive at the Fort Worth Stockyards and a trip to the Fort Worth Water Gardens, after stuffing ourselves silly with the best cuisine this side of the Mason-Dixon line of course.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
As a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator I have to give many thanks to Lamaze for their tireless efforts to better the birth world, starting with their training and education and continuing through their advocacy. My husband Caleb has been incredibly patient and supportive and our children are the cutest cheerleaders when I go to “teach mommies”. I would not be where I am today without my network of friends and local business mamas that are quick with a Facebook tag and share.

Website: https://artiobirthcare.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artiobirthcare/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artiobirthcare/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/artio-birth-care-lewisville

Image Credits
April Pinto Photography, Loomis Lane Photography East Layne Photography