Alma Doulas

 
 
 

Discover the Alma Doula Collective, a program dedicated to transforming the prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum care experience for our valued Medicaid and non-Medicaid clients.

With Alma Midwifery's commitment to exceptional care, our doulas are here to provide invaluable support during this important journey. 

Why Choose the Alma Doula Collective

  • Expert Care: Our doulas are passionate, skilled, and certified professionals dedicated to enhancing your birthing experience.

  • Collaborative Approach: You benefit from a collaborative effort with Alma Midwives and Staff, ensuring comprehensive care both in and out of the birthing room.

  • Continuous Support: With support from other doulas on-call, you are guaranteed uninterrupted support during your journey.

  • Privacy and Security: Our doulas uphold strict confidentiality agreements, prioritizing your privacy and peace of mind.

  • Community: Take advantage of a vibrant Doula Community, where you will receive the utmost care, professional expertise, and personalized attention throughout your pregnancy and childbirth experience.

Top Benefits of Hiring a Doula

  • Reduced Intervention Rates: Studies have shown that having a doula present during labor can lead to reduced rates of interventions such as cesarean sections, epidurals, and the use of forceps or vacuum extraction.

  • Improved Birth Satisfaction: Those who have doulas often report higher levels of satisfaction with their birthing experience. Doulas provide emotional support and advocacy, helping clients feel more empowered and in control during labor.

  • Shorter Labors: Some research suggests that the presence of a doula can lead to shorter labor durations. The comfort and reassurance provided by doulas may help labor progress more smoothly.

  • Better Neonatal Outcomes: Babies born to those who had doula support during pregnancy and childbirth tend to have better neonatal outcomes, including higher Apgar scores and fewer admissions to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).

  • Increased Breast/chest-feeding Success: Doulas often assist with feeding initiation and support in the immediate postpartum period. This can lead to higher rates of successful nursing.

  • Emotional Support: Doulas provide continuous emotional support to both the birthing person and their partner. They offer a calming presence, helping to reduce anxiety and stress during labor.

  • Information and Education: Doulas offer evidence-based information and education to help clients make informed decisions about their birthing experience. This empowers parents to make choices aligned with their preferences and values.

  • Postpartum Support: Many doulas offer postpartum support, helping families transition into parenthood by offering guidance on infant care, feeding, and emotional support during the postpartum period.

  • Cultural Sensitivity: Doulas often receive training in cultural competence, ensuring that they can provide respectful and sensitive care to clients from diverse backgrounds.

  • Complementary Care: Doulas work in collaboration with midwives and medical professionals, providing complementary care that enhances the overall birthing experience.

The Alma Doula Collective is ready to make your journey exceptional, safe, and memorable. Join us in transforming the birthing experience. See more information about each of our doulas below:

 
 

Alma Doula Marinelle Bishop

Marnellie Bishop

She/her

Hey there! I'm Marnellie Bishop, your go-to doula and childbirth educator with a touch of warmth, friendliness, and humor. I'm here to support you on your amazing perinatal journey with honesty and a whole lot of love. I've got some awesome certifications under my belt, including being a birth and postpartum doula, as well as a childbirth educator. But that's not all! I'm also a Hypnobabies® Instructor and Hypno-Doula, and soon-to-be Spinning Babies® Certified Parent Educator (September 2024), bringing even more knowledge and expertise to the table. In the beautiful Portland, OR community, I go above and beyond as a board member and Chief Finance & Operations officer at Community Doula Alliance. I'm truly dedicated to making a positive impact and supporting families in every way possible. I'm also certified as a Birth Doula for the Traditional Health Worker Registry, showing my commitment to bridging communities and health systems. I understand the importance of person and community-centered care, and I'm all about advocating for Oregon Health Plan members and empowering individuals to take charge of their own health.

Before diving into the world of doula work, I earned a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and used my expertise to help grow and sell my family's printing company. As a 2nd generation immigrant with Filipino parents, I totally get the unique challenges that immigrant families face when it comes to parenting styles and cultural backgrounds. I'm super passionate about helping growing families feel empowered and confident in their own journey through parenthood. The Pacific Northwest is where my roots run deep, and I proudly call Portland my "forever home." When I'm not busy supporting families, you can find me enjoying quality time with my amazing husband, two active kiddos, and adorable Lagotto Romagnolo dog. We're always on the move, whether it's traveling, trying out watersports, or diving into fun DIY projects.

With over 6 years of experience, I've supported over 200 families as a birth doula, postpartum doula, and childbirth educator. My warm, friendly, and supportive nature will make you feel like you have a true partner by your side throughout your perinatal journey. Get ready to embark on this incredible adventure with me, Marnellie Bishop, your doula extraordinaire! 

 
 
 

Alma Doula Edwina Koch

Edwina Koch

She/her

A passion for birth is an understatement… I am obsessed! I believe every parent should have the opportunity to be guided by a doula as an emotional, physical, and informational support. In fact, my first job ever was at the Prenatal Yoga Center in New York City shadowing Deb Flashenberg and it is there that my love for birth and the connection between breath, body, and baby truly was born!

Aside from my doula life, I have always been a dancer and mover. Studying yoga and dance for the last 13 years has helped me become aware of how powerful the body can be and I use that work in many ways in my day to day life. A few more fun facts about me, I am originally from the New York area and at the age of 19, I moved to France to study the language and integrate myself into the culture and become a complete francophile. I love languages and my dream is to speak at least three of them! I am currently working on my spanish. I moved to the PNW in 2020 because the green lush nature called to my city-roots. I have not regretted my decision for one second. If you are looking for an energy-filled, passionate, and compassionate birth doula, look no further!

 
 
 

Alma Doula Rebekka Maye

Rebekka Maye

She/her

Rebekka supports families in their fertility journeys as a Birth and Postpartum Doula, Hypnobabies Childbirth Educator, Placenta Encapsulation, and is beginning the process to become a student midwife.

She is a Mom with 3 boys, and is passionate about supporting families in their journey of welcoming their bundle joy into the world with positive birth experiences.

She has supported over 100 families in either birth or postpartum through education and information, emotional support, holding space in difficult situations, building trust and relationship, and best of all a friendly smile and kindness.

Rebekka was born and raised in the Portland area, she loves hiking and camping, cooking nutritious meals for her family, and all things DIY.

 
 
 

Alma Doula Elaine Richwine

Elaine Richwine

She/her

I believe that the transition into parenthood is one of the most amazing adventures you can possibly go on. It’s hard work, and sometimes you just need someone that can support YOU in your choices and through all the emotional and physical changes that go along with it. I found my calling and I am here to support you on your adventure!

As your personal doula, my goal is to help you have a positive birthing and postpartum experience. Part of that includes providing you with all the information you want before and after birth, being your emotional support when needed, and helping you and your partner through the labor and delivery. I believe with all of my being, that no two births are the same, just as no two people are the same. No person giving birth or healing from birth should have to do it without support. Some of the tools in my doula bag: Spinning Babies, Dancing For Birth, VBAC Specialist, Patience, and Compassion.

 
 
 

Alma Doula Heidi Long

Heidi Long

She/her

I have dedicated myself to this line of heartfelt work because I believe that an empowering and beautiful birth is possible with the right support. I understand the unpredictable and wonderfully unique nature of each birth and am honored to guide all my clients with deep listening, specialized care, and a calm presence in order to support the newest beginnings, from pregnancy to postpartum, that will have a ripple effect on the rest of their lives.

Since beginning my practice in 2016, I have continued to grow and strengthen my birth work practice — from offering labor rituals to anchoring the birthing body in a grounded sacred way, to nourishing the Fourth Trimester with warm meals and Herbal Pelvic Steam Treatments. I love teaching Newborn Care skills so that parents can feel more confident and competent. I value giving special attention to partners and/or other family members so that they too can feel empowered to walk gracefully into parenthood and so that the needs of new mothers are further cared for and nurtured.

In addition to being a Birth Doula, I have enhanced my practice by offering professional photography for the families I have the honor of supporting! We take a deeper dive together when I can capture the excitement of having a "Baby Bump" through a Maternity Photo Session. Showing up in the raw & wild birth space as a Doula and an artist magnifies my ability to be a better Doula and Photographer for my clients. And when it is time to bring your baby home, I revel in showing my families the LOVE that I see behind my lens for our Newborn & Family Photo Sessions.

Dancing, singing, and painting are also big parts of my life. I have been a part of a vivacious dance community here in Portland since 2018, which has fueled my passion for deep healing embodiment practices. I also appreciate the importance of rest, being out in nature, and making authentic connections with those around me. As a Doula, I have a deep respect for the rites of passage mothers and families go through and honor the transitional nature of each process with steady care and gentle reverence.

 
 
 

Alma Doula Natalie Broders

Natalie Broders

She/her

Hi, I'm Natalie! Trained as a birth & labor doula, postpartum doula, birth photographer and childbirth educator, some people might say I'm a birth nerd. From how to prepare before birth, to common interventions, navigating hospital birth, optimal body positioning, choosing the right birth center, and having a home birth, I'm your new BFF & walking birth encyclopedia. And if I don't know something, I have the humility to say so and I'll look for the evidence-based information to answer your questions. I see myself as a lifelong learner, always seeking out the latest and most up to date information.

At your birth, I offer advocacy, physical, emotional and verbal support. My goal is to empower you to make the decision that’s best for you, based on the evidence and your own intuition, so you have the birth you've been dreaming of. I'll help remind you of all those things you read in that book or practiced in your childbirth education class. I know how to support your partner in supporting you, so when your partner places that cool cloth on your forehead, or gives you a sip of water, it's them you're thanking, not me.

For me, birth work is an all-consuming passion and my greatest source of joy. I’ve always known that what I do should have a deeper purpose, feel sacred, and connected to a higher pursuit. I’m driven by this fire that’s alive inside of me for birth - this is something I was born to do.

In addition to doula support, I also document birth stories as a birth photographer. After my own incredible water birth experience I felt so F-ing victorious! But all the pictures I have are blurry... I'll always regret not having professional photos to show my daughter the day she was born. That's how my love for birth photography started, and now I've won several international awards and accolades for my work.

Who I am: I have a dry, sarcastic sense of humor. I have two kids, both born with midwives, one at a birth center and one at home. I use swear words on the regular. Informed choice is important to me, expect lots of information sharing. I want us to spend time together, connecting and listening. You are important to me. I dedicate a lot of time to learning who you are and what you want for your birth.

  • ✓ Can bill to OHP Medicaid

  • Alma Price for Services: $2,150

  • Inquire for birth photography and video pricing via my website

  • For more information visit https://www.nataliebroders.com 

 
 
 

Alma Doula Jennah Lupiwok

Jennah Lupiwok

She/her

Birth work is truly heart-calling for me. It has cracked my heart open and filled it with so much joy and purpose. I got into this work when I started learning about women’s health and how to live in accordance with the menstrual cycle – rather than against it. This thread took me deeper into birth work as I realized how powerful a woman’s body really is. I found there to be a lack of support for pregnant women in our society and realized most of the messages surrounding birth were fear- and pain-based. That is when my passion to help mothers feel confident, informed, and in-control of their birth experience blossomed. I took a 13-moon extensive doula training and have read dozens of books to help you have an ideal birth – as YOU define it.

Through our prenatal visits I will help you prepare mentally, spiritually and physically for your labor. I will help you create your unique birth plan, guide you through different positions, meditations, and pain-coping mechanisms. I'll help you prepare for postpartum challenges like boundary setting, mental health, sleep, and nourishment. I’ll help you weave one version of yourself to the next as I hold your hand on this journey from start to finish.

In addition to birth work, I also lead local Mother Blessing Ceremonies. This is a ceremony of pampering, adorning and showering the mother-to-be with love and support. It’s essentially a more nourishing baby-shower!

For many, this is often the most memorable day of their entire pregnancy. This nourishing day encourages mothers to birth with less fear and helps them feel better supported in the postpartum period. This is one of my favorite things to do.

Offerings and Expertise:

Customized Birth Plans; Self Love + Self Care Rituals; Partner Preparation + Support; Ceremonial Births; Maiden-to-Mother Initiation; Postpartum Nourishment; Reiki + Acupressure; Trusted Local Resource List; Living Library of Books, Videos, + PDFs

 
 
 

Alma Doula Sivan Dirks

Sivan Dirks

She/her

Bio coming soon.

Price Range for Services: Inquire with Sivan directly.