Hannah

3/17/2024

Lori is the absolute best doula!! We had such an amazing experience with her. She was such a blessing to me, my husband, and new baby boy. She truly cared about listening to my desires for birth and supporting me and my husband in any way that she could. She answered any questions we had along with sending informative links and rescources. I loved how she created a relationship far before our baby was born and was there for anything I needed up until he was born and even supported us after his birth. She made it so easy by coming to us for all visits. After our baby was born I was so nervous to take him out in public and Lori met me at a local coffee shop to help me feel more comfortable being out of the house for one of the first times.

Our baby surprised us 4 weeks early and Lori was still there ready to go! I truly couldn't of gotten through my unmedicated labor and birth without her support especially with being thrown into things ealrier than I was expecting. She was sooo helpful at the hospital communicating with the nurses and midwife and explaining things to me and my husband. She helped me cope with the contractions and was so positive and encouraging. She knew the birth that I wanted and did everything in her power for me to have it! I can't even describe how thankful I am for her and I can't wait to have her as our doula for our next baby. I highly recommend Lori she is a true blessing! ??

Heather

2/5/2024

Lori was there for my TOLAC and I am SO thankful for her support and coaching. I went into labor earlier than expected and she came home from her vacation to be by my side. (She was super upfront about the timing of her vacation in advance and explained how she would drop everything and drive the 2 hours if needed.) She brought many different tools and techniques that helped me labor at home as long as I was able. Once we were at the hospital, she never left my side and encouraged my husband in certain ways that helped me lean on him before I could get the epidural. After 12+ hours of labor, I was able to get the epidural and we all took a long nap (Lori really felt like family at this point when we all curled up to catch some z's in the same room!). She helped us to ask questions of the nurses and doctor that brought more knowledge to decision making. We really appreciated her ability to read the room and especially her ability to read me and what I wanted when I couldn't get the words out. Unfortunatley, I was not able to have a successful VBAC, but Lori was there until baby and I were safely back in our room. We really appreciated Lori's follow up visit to our home once we were settled and her willingness to sit with us as we reflected back on our experience. If I am to have future babies, I would love to have Lori with us again. We love you, Lori!

Lindsey

1/28/2024

Lori's support through the end of pregnancy, during our birthing journey and early postpartum was invaluable! My husband and I cannot imagine doing it all without her. Something that really stood out was how she was able to talk to my husband when things didn't go quite as planned. She helped to bring a sense of peace and acceptance. Lori has years of experience and is a parent herself. Her wisdom was very welcomed by us as first timers. We are grateful for Lori's thoughtful, personalized touches on the whole experience. We highly recommend choosing Lori to be there with you on your birthing journey!
Lindsey and Matt

Lindsey Carlson

1/26/2024

Thank goodness for Lori! I prepared and prepared and prepared for birth, but when the time came, I can't even tell you how helpful and reassuring it was to have Lori on our side. She was amazing. Calm and certain when all the things I learned about birth completely flew out of my head. It was so nice to have someone who knew exactly what I wanted there to be able to take charge and support my husband and I when my focus was else where. Highly recommended. Thank you Lori!!

Jaime

12/7/2023

In short, Lori was exceptional.  We are so, so glad we worked with her for the birth of our first child.  As first time parents and new to the Portland area, Lori provided essential, evidence-based answers and guidance to all of our questions and anticipated what we needed to know but didn't know to ask.  She is extremely knowledgable, responsive, and kind.  She helped us further articulate our birth plan, provided insight and resources when we weren't sure what questions to ask the doctors (steering clear or providing any medical recommendations, as that was outside her lane), and was extremely comforting throughout the birth.  I recommend Lori whole heartedly and unconditionally.

Tatiana Salmon

11/21/2023

We had a wonderful birthing experience with Lori by our side.  Lori brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in a nonjudgmental warm approach.  She was able to support my husband and me during the labor process of my third baby but first attempt of a natural delivery by giving us suggestions on positions and guiding me through contractions with a calm and encouraging presence.  She heard my need to move onto something else as contractions intensified and gave us the space to make decisions that we felt comfortable with.  I wouldn't change a thing about my labor experience despite it ending in a cesarean after a long labor.
I'm proud of what I accomplished and don't feel like I would have been as strong or confident without Lori a part of my team.  She was invaluable to my husband and me.  We cannot thank her enough for her guidance, care and support of our family as we brought our son into this world.

Estany

10/19/2023

Lori supported us and gave us a TON of resources to help prepare me for my ideal birth. She knows the research and always gave us evidence based recommendations. My labor was hard, and I would not have been able to cope as I did without her support and expert knowledge. I absolutely recommend her to anyone looking for a doula! 

Clover Thompson

8/28/2023

Lori is such an amazing doula. She made my prenatal, birth, and post partum experience that much better. She was so informative, kind and helpful. She was the best advocate and support in the hospital. Even helping my husband support me better. I am so thankful she was there during labor. 

Alexandra Houser

8/3/2023

I honestly cannot imagine my birth without Lori. She brought so much knowledge, kindness, and support to my prenatal, birth, and postpartum experience. She is someone you can count on to keep your head in the game but while always keeping in mind your goals and interests. My birth didn’t exactly go as planned (who’s does? Lol), but she rolled with the punches and was so supportive of every decision I made while making sure I was informed of my options at each step.

Kaylee Vandeberg

6/15/2023

Lori is an amazing doula! She was very available to me throughout my pregnancy, in addition to being there during my labor. She was available via text for any questions I had about the pregnancy symptoms I was experiencing. She also did two prenatal and two postnatal in-home visits with my husband and I, which were very helpful! During the second in-home prenatal visit, she helped me try different labor positions to find out which ones would work for me, as I have a physical disability and wasn't sure which positions would be possible for me. She was also wonderful throughout my long labor. She was excellent at supporting both me and my husband. Even though my birth experience ended in a c-section due to my physical disability, Lori still helped me to advocate for myself, and I had a wonderful and gentle caesarean birth. 

Heather Powers

11/12/2022

To be honest, I didn't really know the full role of a Doula and knew next to nothing about having a baby.  The labor experiences that I had with each of my kids were so different but the one rock I had with both was Lori.  My husband was there but he was in my boat of not knowing what was usual or unusual.  Lori was emotional support to both of us, explained things to us before and during, and gave suggestions while also listening to my feedback on what I needed at the moment.  She was knowledgeable, patient, honest, and so kind, and gentle.  I highly recommend her services for the amazing care you will receive.  

Kaitlin Kauffman

10/30/2022

I cannot recommend Lori strongly enough! Words cannot describe how grateful I am to her for helping me have 2 healthy birth experiences. With my first pregnancy, Lori helped me through child birth classes and was present during my first child’s delivery. We had hopped for a natural labor. Due to the complication that labor can bring this delivery ended up turning into an emergency c-section. While I was heartbroken I couldn’t physically continue naturally, Lori made sure that all my requests and interventions had happened to the fullest extent.  Lori was intuitive with when to be present and involved, as well as when to step back and allow the intensity of labor flow. She gave my husband much needed breaks during this 22 hour labor. With my second pregnancy 4 years later, I knew I had much work to do. I needed to process the trauma of the previous birth, and Lori helped me tremendously in that journey. Lori is extremely knowledgeable and resourceful! I found the wealth of resources she shared extremely helpful. From positions, self talk, massage and breathing, I felt so supported the whole time. During labor, she transformed the labor and delivery room. She made us feel calm, safe, strong, and supported the whole time. Thanks to her we welcomed our second son in a VBAC delivery--it was such a beautiful, healing, and emotional experience for both my husband and me. As I said earlier, I cannot recommend her strongly enough; she's simply amazing. 

J. Arsenault

10/28/2022

You will not find a doula better than Lori!  She is calm, wise, nurturing, and extremely knowledgeable.  She walked with me through two challenging pregnancies and two very different births. She was my rock and I am so grateful she was by my side. Throughout both pregnancies, the birth of my children, and after, Lori has guided me with loving kindness and become a treasured friend. Give yourself the gift of Lori! ??

Jill Cain

10/23/2022

Lori was so helpful to me during my daughter's birth! She was encouraging and also advocated for my needs with the nurses. She saw me through a birth without an epidural!  She was right by my side the whole time, giving words of affirmation and kindness! I was so happy to have her there at the birth of my daughter. 

Melinda Aldrich

10/11/2022

One of the most momentous moments in my life was shrouded in anxiety and overwhelming fear. A pregnancy that had its nuances from the very beginning was navigated through more easily while I had Lori by my side. From the outset, she helped develop a plan with my medical team for what was expected to be a complicated delivery. Though a planned c-section, the doctors did not know how things would unfold given my circumstances nor did they know how the pregnancy would play out. Whenever the fear of what could happen during the pregnancy and the looming delivery date overcame me (7 months of worries), I leaned into Lori's knowledge and comfort throughout the pregnancy. On the day of the delivery, Lori's established plan with the medical team to accompany me into the operating room was put into place. I thank God for her presence as I navigated through some difficulties during the surgery. Lori knew the right times to come to my bedside. She seamlessly provided support without interfering with the medical team. While I recovered (unbeknownst to my husband, I was safe and recovering), Lori advocated for communication from the nursing team to my husband about my status. It was Lori who held my baby in her arms and loved on her since I couldn't. It was Lori who supported my husband through what he describes as one of the hardest moments in his life, (one which he said he could never go through again). It is Lori, who my daughter lovingly refers to as a second mom 13 years later. Lori was relatable, experienced, and considerate. She made an otherwise difficult experience easier to navigate for all members of my family.