Doula care demonstrates remarkably improved physical and psychological outcomes for pregnant, birthing, and postpartum people and their babies. Doulas have a positive impact on the well-being of the entire family during the perinatal period.https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/abs/10.2105/AJPH.2024.307859As a doula, I offer support that includes educational materials, preparation, pain management techniques, position to help labor progress, continuous labor support, emotional encouragement, and advocacy. I work closely with you to understand your needs, goals, hopes, and preferences, ensuring that you feel empowered and well-prepared every step of the way. Whether you need guidance on breathing exercises, help in creating a comforting birthing environment, help with communication with your care team, or a reassuring presence, I am here to help you navigate this transformative journey with care.

Birth is a physiological process that goes well for the vast majority of the time, and sometimes needs help. We are experts in our own bodies, and given full information, we will make the choices that are right for us. We all deserve someone who reminds us that we can trust our inner strength and guidance. Birth is unpredictable. Whether you are planning a home birth or a hospital birth; whether you are low-risk or high-risk; whether this is your first baby or not ––feeling seen, supported, and confident during pregnancy, labor, birth, and the immediate postpartum time is crucial to your wellbeing as a new parent.

Over the years, I have learned that to serve someone well, it is essential to develop a sense of what is unfolding in each labor and use detective skills as it were. Tools can come in handy, and I certainly have many, but so do sitting, listening, and feeling. I observe the labor ––the process and the sounds, to tune into what is happening physically and emotionally with my clients. I also focus on the labor flow and help create balance and space in your pelvis, whether your labor is unmedicated or medicated. Enhancing normal physiology can help improve any labor and birth.Good prenatal preparation of body, mind, heart, and soul is also important, and I do not miss an opportunity to support my clients with tools and resources to support their whole being.I approach things with a sense of calm & groundedness. I am dependable, somewhat direct, and not too bothered with hierarchies.

Your partner needs support too! Your partner most likely wants to be there for you but does not necessarily know how. You partner is also becoming a parent, and my hope is to relieve stress and pressure on your partner so they can be fully present with you in those moments.Your partner’s role is unique because no one else in the room can love and support you the way they do. Their deep love for you is its own anchor and stronghold. But, it can be hard to see a loved one go through labor and feel helpless. I help partners be the best support they can be, while I also support them with information on the labor process as it unfolds, advocacy if needed, and checking in on their wellbeing.Even the most well-prepared partners feel relieved when a doula is in the room!

Yes!State InsuranceI am a Traditional Health Worker (THW) in the state of Oregon, and my services are fully covered under OHP health plans, as well as MODA OEBB and PEBB.Legacy EmployeesIf you are a Legacy employee with a Legacy+ plan, my services are covered with a 10% co-insurance. Carrot Fertility InsuranceI am set up for you to be able to bill your Carrot insurance for reimbursement. Private Health InsuranceOn January 1, 2026, Oregon's Senate Bill 692 (SB 692) requires commercial health benefit plans in the state to cover comprehensive perinatal services, including doula and lactation care. This will however not be mandated until 2028. I can verify your out-of-network coverage and provide a superbill, or I can submit a claim for you. Coverage depends on plans and deductibles. ​​​​

As a doula, I am there for you during early labor in your home, when medical attention is not yet needed, but comfort and know-how very much so! I help you set things up, prepare, and support your potentially nervous partner. I can help you decide when to call your midwives or go to the birth center and reassure you about normalcy. During your labor, my sole responsibilities are your comfort and supporting your partner, undistracted and undivided. Midwives keep you safe and must be rested so they can't be with you the whole time. I also stay a little longer after birth so that you can ease into your new role. It may also be reassuring to know someone would be there for you if a transfer becomes part of your labor or birth. I stay with you and am prepared to support you and advocate for you through this plan change.

Yes!I can help you cope with contractions before being admitted to the hospital. I can help you advance your labor as far as possible with moving and positions before you decide to get an epidural, and I can help you with comfort techniques while waiting for the anesthesiologist and in some locations while the epidural is placed.After you have relief from pain, I can assist you in continuing to promote your labor progress and help address your needs. Your partner may want to take a nap so I can help your nurse and help you move into good positions.Suppose the epidural is not working effectively for you. In that case, I can help you handle the pain using non-pharmacological pain-coping techniques. Lastly, I help you push in safe positions that promote the natural descent of your baby and reduce tearing.

Doulas are an integral part of the birth team, and I deeply value my role. I am confident in my scope of practice and work collaboratively with nurses and providers within this scope. As a doula, I bring a unique experience and skill set to the table. Integrated and collaborative care built on understanding and respect between disciplines increases optimal outcomes for you, your baby, and your family.

Performing any medical examination is outside the scope of practice of a doula. During labor, I observe patterns, behaviors, moods, sounds, and rhythms and respond to your emotional and physical needs in a non-clinical way. What you feel guides you and helps me guide you as needed.

A lot of support and preparation are still needed when planning a c-section. I help you prepare with information about what to expect from the procedure and how to make the birth family-centered and gentle. I help you create a cesarean birth plan that you can discuss with your provider to be a more active participant in the process. For the birth, I can join you at the hospital and support you until things are ready. There are many unknowns, and most of us do not know what to expect. The time from admission to birth can take hours sometimes. Depending on your providers, I may also be allowed in the OR to assist you and your partner, including documenting your birth with notes and pictures. I also offer assistance with immediate non-medical post-surgery needs, like latch initiation and ice chips. My prenatal work with clients also involves postpartum preparations like breastfeeding or bottle feeding, what to expect during the first 6 weeks, core rehab, and baby care/health. These things do not change with the kind of birth. After a cesarean birth, abdominal healing becomes more important, and I offer information and resources for this.