I am here to help you ride these waves.
Being a birth doula isn’t just what I do, it’s who I am. I am here to carefully walk with you through the turbulent waves so you can arrive safe and sound on the other side. I want you to feel held through this process.
Birth Doula Services in Portland, Oregon
Birth Doula Support Includes
Physical Support
Physical support comes in many forms. I use my hands to massage, stimulate acupressure points, wipe your brow with a cool washcloth, jiggle you for relaxation, and help you change positions so you can be as comfortable possible and allow your labor to progress.
Emotional Support
Emotional support means everything from helping you develop coping skills prior to labor, helping you or your partner through a tough spot in labor, holding space for you through fears and tears, or working with you to keep your main goals and values in place when your “plan" for your birth changes.
Information
When it comes to birth there is so much information out there, but not all of it is good information! As your doula, I have the benefit of working in many different hospitals with different providers which helps me tell you options/alternatives that I have seen from other, equally educated providers. I can also point you to solid information, based on research, to help you make the decisions that feel the best to you.
Are we a good fit?
My Philosophy
While I enjoy supporting unmedicated births, my passion really lies in supporting the pregnant person and partner (or other support person or people) in discovering what is important to them and helping them through whatever challenges they face. There is no one way to give birth. A successful, joyful birth is in the eye of the beholder. Whatever a good birth means to you, I will work to help you achieve that. If “plans” need to change, I will help you navigate and process the change in “plan”.
Who I Serve
I am comfortable supporting VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean), same sex couples, poly families, trans clients, single birthing people, birthing people with an adoption plan, surrogates, parents that have experienced infertility, miscarriage or infant loss, and I support all birth plans including planned cesarean, planned induction and planned use of epidural and/or analgesics. If you have a special situation, please ask me about it. Nothing is taboo.
My Style and Ideal Client
My style in prenatal meetings is to be frank, informative and slightly irreverent. I can laugh about the more uncomfortable aspects of giving birth and I really seem to connect with families that use humor to cope with difficult situations. My favorite clients are the ones who ask a LOT of questions because it helps me understand what they know, what they do not know, what their worries are and what they feel confident about. I really get to know clients this way and can tailor my services to their specific personality.
Having been a gestational surrogate twice, I also really enjoy supporting surrogates and Intended Parents (IPs).
Special Training
In my doula work, I frequently use my received training in Spinning Babies (spinningbabies.com) techniques for optimal positioning and acupressure points for pregnancy and labor. I’m also a Reiki trained practitioner and can use Reiki during labor and birth.
How does this all work?
Step 1
Ask around for recommendations or search the web to find two or three doulas that might be a good fit for you. Contact them and ask for a free consultation. Doulas know that having a good fit is important, so this way you can make sure you feel comfortable before you hire.
Step 2
Interview! Right now, since COVID-19, my interviews all take place as video conferences and they take up to an hour. Don’t worry if you don’t know what questions to ask–this can be a very casual conversation. I will ask you some things about your pregnancy and your goals for the birth and you’ll get a chance to ask me questions too.
Step 3
If you choose me as your doula, you will sign a contract and pay an initial retainer. I usually take payments in 3 installments.
Step 4
Schedule a prenatal visit. You will have 1-3 prenatal visits (typically 2) for us to get to know each other and begin preparing to be a stellar team for your birth.
Step 5
At 38 weeks (or before if at any point you have reason to believe you might have the baby early), I go on call. This means I have my phone near me at all times and will not be out-of-town unless it is pre-arranged with you and you are acquainted with the back-up doula who will be covering the on-call time.
Step 6
Go into labor. I ask that as soon as you think you are in labor, you to call or text me, even if you don’t need me yet. This way I can make arrangements on my end to be ready when you do need me. It will take me an hour to an hour and a half to get to you once you call me to come. I will be with you for your entire labor.
Step 7
Have a baby. Once you’ve had your baby it takes about 2 hours for things to settle down after birth. Once things are all stable and calm, I will go home. Over the next few days I will be checking in by text or phone.
Step 8
Postpartum visits. I will check in with you by text over the first few days and then make an appointment to visit you at home about a week after the baby is born. If you need any referrals I will provide you with resources. I will make another appointment, usually 1.5 to 2 weeks postpartum.
The Complete Doula Package
(available for those in the Portland, OR Metro area)
$1800-2800
This flat fee is based on a pay-from-the-heart range. You are asked to use the honor system to pay an amount that feels fair for the service you received and the impact it had on your birth. The service is the same, but you can choose what feels right for your budget. *I have some scholarship $ set aside if you feel that I am the right doula for you, but you cannot afford this range. Email to inquire.
1-3 prenatal visits (usually 2) that can happen virtually, in-person or a mix of the two
Labor support wherever you are giving birth: hospital, birth center or homes
2 postpartum visits
24/7 on-call availability starting at 38 weeks (this can shift earlier if needed)
Unlimited phone, text & email support
Back-up doula support
A non-judgmental listening ear
Knowledge of techniques to turn a posterior or breech baby
A sense of humor
Discount on my Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class Virtual Experience (discounted price is $175)
Virtual Doula Package
(only available for those outside of my travel area)
$800
This is a newer offering for me, since the COVID-19 pandemic, but as I work with people outside my area, via my childbirth class, I want to have something to offer. Real time informational support, moral support, and suggestions is invaluable even if it is at a distance!
2 virtual prenatal visits
Text, phone, and video call support during your birth
1 virtual postpartum visit
Phone, text, and email support when not in labor
A non-judgmental listening ear
Knowledge of techniques to turn a posterior or breech baby
A sense of humor
Discount on my Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class Virtual Experience (discounted price is $175)
In the words of my clients…
“
Scarlett is amazing. Seriously. She is a super awesome doula, and I would highly recommend her to anyone who is interested in hiring a doula. She is wonderfully flexible and practical. She is nonjudgemental. She is supportive. And she is experienced in all kinds of births. If you are choosing anything from home birth and unmedicated to hospital birth with epidural, high risk, multiples, etc, Scarlett can support you and help you feel informed, empowered, and as ready as you can be for this wonderfully intense and amazing experience of giving birth.
“
— Sarah
“
Scarlett was a joy to work with and was able to adapt to my quirky personality- trust me, this is very important for someone who will be with you during birth. Our baby decided she wanted out of my belly a little early and despite not being on call yet, Scarlett was able to rush to the hospital to assist in my care. Scarlett and my husband complemented each other in the midst my labor and she was a true advocate for my care when my husband and I were not in the position to make decisions.
Scarlett- thank you so much for helping us prepare for and follow through with our birth process.
“
— Huglyn
“
Scarlett sees the whole picture, addresses intensity with humor, intimacy and grace and made us feel our power. Her attentions were not only for me but also for my husband Jack. There are so many ways a birth can go and ours was was complicated and lasted for days. Scarlett's presence was empowering and soothing amongst the hospital setting. She was with with us every step of the way around the clock for days guiding and advocating for us throughout the entire process. Both Jack and can not begin to imagine this experience without her by our side.
“
— Miranda
“
Scarlett was amazing.
We had a little different scenario wih an amazing surrogate carying our baby boy. We wanted to make sure Alicia, our surro, was well taken care of during and right after birth so that we could focus on baby (but also knowing Alicia would need someone there during that time)...Scarlett was amazing- she came over to our house and met us all, she showed us some techniques to help Alicia with labor, she answered any questions, she made sure we had plans B,C, D and went over our birth plan. Her presence was perfect- she was there but did not interfere with the flow of what was happening (since that was what we wanted). She could magically change the direction of labor and helped Alicia as well throughout and after labor. She was a great support system and our biggest advocate. She was amazing and our birth story was smooth and wonderful because of our great team!
“
— Julie