About Penny

Penny Simkin, PT, is a physical therapist who has specialized in childbirth education and labor support since 1968. She estimates she has prepared over 15,000 women, couples, and siblings for childbirth. She has assisted hundreds of women and couples through childbirth as a doula. She is author of several books for both parents and professionals. She has developed teaching materials for birth classes and produced several videos for educators, doulas, and families , the latest of which is for siblings-to-be, “There’s a Baby.” She is co-founder of DONA International and PATTCh (Prevention and Treatment of Traumatic Childbirth).

Penny died peacefully at home on April 11, 2024. The work she loved for over 53 years lives on in the families she impacted, the doulas she trained, and the immense library of her writing.

Penny and her late husband, Peter, are survived by four grown children, nine grandchildren, many grandchildren-in-law, and five great-grandchildren.