Doula recommendation the Vancouver area

We've had many previous discussions about Portland-area Doulas and Doula services.  However, Jane writes to request Doula recommendation on the other side of the Columbia River:

My sister in law is due this May.  She and her partner are having the babe at the SW Washington Medical Center.  Though she would have loved to have the baby at home they can't afford it.  Can any of you Mamas recommend a doula that works out of the Vancouver area?  They live in Ridgefield but will be in Vancouver for the birth.  Thanks so much!

I am almost certain that some Portland area Doulas will also attend births in Washington but I'm not sure if there is state-specific licensing that requires a Doula to be licensed before attending births in a certain state.  Do any of you mamas or even local Doulas have any recommendations to share?

The Business of Being Born - Private Screening

So it's been a few years, but I'll never forget.  Not the labors (one excruciatingly long, the other excruciatingly fast), not the stitches (yes, the dreaded 'stage 4' tear).  And definitely not the hospital midwives, dedicated labor nurses, and OB (think forceps) who helped me vaginally deliver two children without drugs - not their norm.

I'm all for natural, but only to a point.  Drugs?  No way.  Bathtub at home?  No thanks.  Hospital?  Absolutely - plus, that's what my insurance covered, right?   But enough about me and my boring births of yesteryear.  We're ready to hear about someone else's births - namely Ricki Lake's - and the birthing "business."

Thoughts on Legacy Midwifery Services

Does anyone have first-hand experience with Legacy Midwifery Services?  Michelle says:

I am 31 weeks pregnant and have very recently decided that I am not as comfortable with my OB as I feel that I should be (a series of small issues have eroded my trust).  This is my first pregnancy - and perhaps a case of hormones gone wild - but I am seriously considering switching practices at this late stage, if I can find another provider willing to take me on.  One option that I'm looking into is Legacy Midwifery Services.  Do any of the mamas out there have experiences with this practice that they'd be willing to share?  Thanks!

Seeking suggestions for natural hospital birth

I do believe we can relate with Erin's predicament, moving to Portland - pregnant!, myself included. So, does anyone have suggestions for Erin:

My husband and I are moving to Portland from San Francisco in 3 weeks and we're expecting our first child in August. I had my doula and birth center lined up down here but with the sudden move up north need to start from scratch while keeping up on my pre-natal appts. I'm interested in opinions on a few areas. I want a natural childbirth but we have to use a hospital because none of the birth centers in Portland are listed in "the network" and we have to use our insurance (United Healthcare) plus we don't know what our living situation will be like when it's time for the baby so a homebirth is out. I'd really like a hospital environment that (1) is comfortable & not so clinical, (2) has low intervention/c-section/episiotomy rates, (3) is open to alternative birthing methods (birth balls, birthing bars, tubs, etc), (4) has in-room birthing (no transfer to a different room after delivery), (5) ideally has midwives on-staff as primary care providers. Any idea on doulas that also have midwife training or midwives that are willing to attend a hospital birth as a doula? I really like the midwife model but am under the impression that midwives in hospitals aren't as attentive and have a slightly different philosophy than out-of-hospital midwives. Also, I'd love to have the benefits of midwife pre and post-natal care. Basically, I want the closest thing to a midwife/birth center experience I can get, only in a hospital.

Seeking Certified Nurse Midwives

We are all in search of an ideal birthing situation. Karli seeks your suggestions and experiences:

I am pregnant with baby #2. After a hospital birth with baby #1, we are looking for a natural birth this time at home with a certified nurse midwife. I am unsure why I hesitate to go with a lay midwife, except that I might feel more comfortable with a CNM, knowing they have the medical training to intervene if the need should arise. I don't know which clinic is the best. I would like to have a referral to the best -- in SW or close-in SE -- if possible. We are looking for a home birth, or may possibly go with a birthing center, but I am leaning towards a CNM. A lot of the feedback on the blog is recommendations for lay midwives. Are there any recommendations for CNM's that deliver at home? I'm also interested in reading that might make me feel a little more comfortable with a lay midwife--as this might expand my options. This will be my last birth, so I want to make sure I make the best decision.

Did you do it with a Doula?

Some of us have birthed with a doula by our side. Some of us have birthed with a spouse or extended family or a good friend by our side. Did you use a doula? Why did you decide to go that route? Did you consider using a doula and - in the end - decide to go without?

(For those of you considering using a doula, here are some urbanMamas doula recommendations...)

Midewife & Birthing Center Recommendations?

uMamas - we have another request for your input, suggestions.  Please post them here!

It sounds like some of you have had homebirths and I was wondering if I could get some referrals for midwives.  I had 2 out-of-hospital births (1^st at a Birth Center and 2^nd at home – same midwife) in the SF Bay Area and don’t really know anyone in the birth community here.  I have a friend who is about 11 weeks pregnant with her 2^nd; her 1^st is already 5 ½.  She’s struggling with A LOT of vomiting and nausea, so I want to help her out by doing some homework on her behalf.  Her 1^st birth was in a hospital, but she’s open to the idea of a homebirth.  She’s also concerned about their financial situation – she doesn’t have any insurance and is not sure that she will qualify for OHP.  Their income is low enough but they have money in the bank from her partner’s inheritance, which they were planning to sink into a new house.  Of course, the idea of buying a new house at the moment is a bit overwhelming.  Anyway…I’d love to hear about some midwives or Birth Centers that you’ve had experience with.  Please feel free to be as detailed as you like – why you liked her, anything you didn’t like, etc. (I love birth stories!)  And I’d really love to hear from anyone who had a hospital birth 1^st and then chose to have a homebirth next.  I don’t feel totally qualified to speak about that since I’ve never actually been to a hospital birth.  If you have any advice or experience with the financial challenge, I’d love to hear about that as well.  I know my midwife worked out a trade agreement with us, so if you know anyone who is open to that, let me know.  Thanks for the opportunity to take advantage of this great community!

Suburban Doula?

We've had numerous discussions lately on urbanMamas about Doulas, but it seems most are located in Portland proper.  It would appear that some would be willing to travel outside of the city.  Anyone with advice for India?

I'm also looking for a personal recommendation for a doula in the West Linn/Lake O area for my July 4 due baby. I've been to the websites, but there's nothing like a personal story.

Could you recommend a doula?

A question from Thuan:

I'm looking for recommendations for a birth doula. If you had a great experience with a doula could you share your experiences, including relevent stats including her birthing philosophy (i.e. birthing from within, bradley, hypnobirthing, etc.)?

Thanks in advance for your recommendations, urbanMamas!

Seeking Nanny / Post-Partum Doula

Wish I had Carolyn for a friend!  Read on:

I live in the Bay Area and have a friend in Portland who just had her 2nd baby.  I came up for a week to help out, but she's still having a hard time -- long story, including a c-section, complications, toddler sickness, hubby's job schedule, etc., but I was thinking about getting her some hours from a reliable, caring nanny service as a gift.  Problem is, I know nothing about any services in Portland -- and am hoping that the mamas on your site could offer some recommendations for a very trustworthy, capable, sensitive service that could do a short-term placement.  any help is greatly appreciated, thanks!

- Carolyn