Doulas provide continuous care and support throughout labor and delivery.  We are available prenatally to help you (and your partner, if you have one) prepare for the type of birth you desire.  After the birth, we can assist with initial transitions and help you access any needed support.

Research has shown that having doula support can reduce the need for interventions during labor and increase feelings of satisfaction with your birth experience.
Specifically, having doula labor support has been shown to*:

• Decrease need for a cesarean section by 50%
• Decrease duration of the labor by 25%
• Decrease requests for interventions such as epidurals (by 60%) and pain medications (by 30%)
• Decrease need for other interventions such as Pitocin (synthetic oxytocin) by 40% and the need to use forceps by 40%
• Increase mother’s sense of self-esteem and decrease the rate of postpartum depression six weeks after the birth
• Increase continuation of breastfeeding six weeks after the birth

Our doulas will help you gather information in preparation for your ideal birth and will support you throughout the birthing process and immediate postpartum period.

*from Klaus, Kennell and Klaus (1993) referenced in the article Doula Care: An Age-Old Process Meets the 20th Century by Naomi Bromberg Bar-Yam (IJCE 18(4) p.18-20

We have Supported:

• first time mothers
• experienced mothers
• surrogacy
• adoption
• vaginal births
• VBACs (vaginal births after cesarean)
• cesarean births (planned and unplanned)
• unmedicated, natural labors
• medicated labors
• twins/multiples
• hospital, birth centers and home births
• deliveries with both Obstetricians and Midwives
• LGBTQ parents
• single moms
• teen moms
• women and families with a history of trauma
• women using a variety of birthing techniques including, Bradley, Birthing from within, Mindful birthing, hypnobirthing, and Rebozo support.

The Portland doulas have been trained and certified through Birthingway College of Midwifery, or DONA International, or CAPPA

All doulas part of the Portland Doula Collective have at least 3 years experience as a working doula. We also strive to complete continuing education through various workshops and training.

Some of our doulas also specialize in other birth-related services such as childbirth education, lactation education, and placenta encapsulation. We take pride in keeping up-to-date with the latest advances and research in the pregnancy and childbirth industry.

We proudly support families of all types, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and cultural and religious backgrounds.

• We understand that there is wonder and joy in bringing your child into the world.
• We believe that the process of birth can be transformative for both parents.
• We understand that birth has both physical and emotional aspects.
• We work to share our knowledge base with our clients so that they can make choices that are right for their family.
• We support client choice and believe that it leads to higher satisfaction with the birth.
• We believe birth can be wonderful in whichever setting you choose.
• We are respectful of the individual needs of our families.
• We are passionate about what we do!