Birth First Doulas

One Spot Left with the wonderful Barb Buckner Suarez, Health Educator, Writer this weekend!

Couples Connection Class, (In-Person) — Birth First Education Center Classes, Portland Oregon Cost: $180 *Price is for two people. *Masks are optional to attend this in-person class. *Space is limited to 5 couples.    This Couples Connection Class is unlike any other class you might take in preparation for birth. You can’t predict or plan for birth, not really. But you

New Class Posted! Spots Available!
Saturday 1/27 9:30am-11:30am

Breast & Bottle Feeding Basics, (In-Person) — Birth First Education Center Classes, Portland Oregon Cost: $110 *Price is for two people. *Masks are optional during this in-person class. *Space is limited to 8 couples.   This class will prepare you and your partner to feed your baby with confidence! An experienced International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) will cover th

Coming up in a couple weeks!

Hypnosis for Birth — Birth First Education Center Classes, Portland Oregon Cost: $175 * Price is for two people. *Space is limited to 8 couples. In this 3-hour class, you will learn how to use hypnosis as a coping tool during birth. Hypnosis has been used in birth for centuries and was popularized in the U.S. by classes such as Hypnobirthing and HypnoBabies. Hypnosis

There are spots available!! Sign Up Today :)

Newborn Care 101: The First Month, (In-Person) — Birth First Education Center Classes, Portland Oregon Cost: $130 *Price is for two people. *Masks are optional to attend this in-person class. *Space is limited to 8 couples.  This 3 hour parenting class is taught by an experienced postpartum doula and explains how to care for your newborn baby including diapering, swaddling, soothing, infa

October 22 from 10am-1pm! Taught by one of the Birth First Education Center co-founders, Liz Farmer!

Hypnosis for Birth — Birth First Education Center Classes, Portland Oregon Cost: $175 * Price is for two people. *Space is limited to 8 couples. In this 3-hour class, you will learn how to use hypnosis as a coping tool during birth. Hypnosis has been used in birth for centuries and was popularized in the U.S. by classes such as Hypnobirthing and HypnoBabies. Hypnosis

New Mother / Birthing Parent Circle (6 Week Series, In Person) — Birth First Education Center Classes, Portland Oregon Cost: $225 Price is for all 6 weeks Dates: 9/28, 10/5, 10/12, 10/19, 10/26, 11/2 A 6-week circle into the heart of becoming a parent for the birthing parent. We will journey together to create connection, support and dialogue with sharing, simple practice & ritual to support you as you ar

Newborn Care 101: The First Month, (In-Person) — Birth First Education Center Classes, Portland Oregon Cost: $130 *Price is for two people. *Masks are optional to attend this in-person class. *Space is limited to 8 couples.  This 3 hour parenting class is taught by an experienced postpartum doula and explains how to care for your newborn baby including diapering, swaddling, soothing, infa

Schedule a call with our doula matchmaker today at birthfirstdoulas.com!

Trina Baumgartner, Portland Doula (she/her)
I am a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator, Birth Doula, and Certified Lactation Counselor. When you work with me, you can expect warmth, honesty, and support – a space for you to grow, as well as a safe space for you to come home to yourself. As a doula and an educator, I am passionate about whole-heartedly supporting you through your process of preparing for birth and parenthood and holding space for this transformation. There is a quote by Ram Das that I love that says, “We are all just walking each other home.” For me, home is in our bodies, in our hearts, in our families, and in the world. I believe that with support, all birthing people can feel loved through their transformation – they can seek their biggest selves, discover home and bravery from within, and welcome their babies into this world with grace and glory.

Today is the last day to sign up! In this class you will learn:
- what labor is really like
- Concrete things for you and your partner to do in order to feel more confident
- Ways to feel prepared for birth
Learn more on our website at birthfirstdoulas.com

Happy Holidays from all of us at Birth First! ✨

“The best decision we made in our pregnancy journey was to hire a Birth First Doula. I had no idea if I would like having or need a doula, but after we had our baby girl, I continue to tell my friends and family it was invaluable. I wanted a medication-free birth and our birth doula helped me achieve my goal with grace and strength throughout the entire process. I didn’t think I could do it once active labor got going, but with her strength and assistance our vision became reality. I’m so glad we had an advocate once in the hospital and she also helped my husband stay calm and cool as he was a nervous first-time dad. Our Birth First Doula helped us achieve the most beautiful birth experience we could have ever imagined. Thank you!”

JESSICA, PORTLAND, OREGON

While Chinese medicine has used placentas for centuries, no large-scale scientific studies have been conducted to determine its effectiveness. The benefits of consuming one’s own placenta have mostly come from small studies and lots of anecdotal reports from people who have experienced it. Here is a list of commonly reported benefits:

A birth doula meets with clients several times during pregnancy and takes the time to learn about their hopes and preferences and how to best support them. This type of doula is on-call for when labor begins and joins the family in their home or at the hospital or birth center to provide emotional support, evidence based information, practical hands-on comfort measures and physical positioning, and advocacy to help navigate medical systems and ensure the client’s autonomy is respected.

A birth doula stays with clients until the baby is born and for the first couple of hours after delivery to support family bonding and breastfeeding. The doula tends to stay in contact in the days after birth and offers at least one home visit in the week or two after birth to talk about the birth experience, answer questions about newborn care and feeding, and provide resources. Birth First Doulas is committed to providing high quality birth doula services, and our birth doulas are some of the best in the Portland metro area.

"Happy Chanukah from Birth First to all! Pictured here is Liz Farmer, co-founder of Birth First Education Center and Proud Jewish Birth Worker"

There are records of childbirth companions that date back to prehistoric times and up until the last century birthing people traditionally had midwives, family, or community members to support and guide them through childbirth.

"Birth has revealed to me the wild force of life inherent in all things. It has taught me that every journey is unique and every story meaningful in ways we might not initially understand. It has shown me the magic that is possible in this world, the strength that is needed to let that magic in, and the love that unfolds in its wake." - Brooke Noli, co-founder of Birth First Doulas and Education Center and Birth Doula

Queer-Inclusive Doula Care Focuses On:
Understanding your family’s hopes, needs, and preferences.
Learning about challenges or harms your family has faced or anticipates facing while working with medical providers and navigating reproductive spaces.
Noticing and helping to interrupt microaggressions that q***r families frequently face.
Informing medical providers of who your partner is/partners are to avoid assumptions or harmful questions.
Using the pronouns and vocabulary that you use.
Redirecting providers who ask inappropriate questions about you, your family, or your conception story.
Asking permission before touching and making sure informed consent actually happens.
Providing trauma informed care.
Focusing on safe, responsive, affirming treatment.

Every Tuesday at 10am at our Portland location we will have a free community support group for parents and feeding support, no matter how you choose to feed your baby. We look forward to meeting you !

We know you know, but here is a reminder anyway , wrapped and delivered with a lot of love to those who might need it today. 🧡

Let us help you find a match with our doula match finder at birthfirstdoulas.com 🥰

Let us support you in this next chapter, our mission is clear and we are here to lend a friendly hand.

Attention Birth Workers!
This week we have two upcoming in-person courses to help you excel and thrive in your field, lead by industry experts and people who want to support you, and see this industry thrive. For more information check out our website at birthfirstdoulas.com

1. Pushing to Protect the Pelvic Floor , Dec 9th 10am-12pm:
This is a 2 hour class for birth workers (doulas, midwives, nurses, etc.) and is taught by Dr Lisa Jewell, a Chiropractic Physician specializing in perinatal health here in Portland OR. In this class you will learn the anatomy and function of the pelvic floor, how to teach proper engagement and relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles, the correct biomechanics and optimal positions for your clients to be in during the pushing phase for to minimize pelvic floor damage. Postpartum healing recommendations and guidelines for return to exercise will be reviewed and a handout is included.

2. Family Centered Cesarean Birth Dec 11th 10.30am-12.30pm:
This is a 2 hour class for birth workers (doulas, midwives, nurses, etc.) and will focus on how to effectively communicate with key stakeholders when cesarean sections become necessary in order to help facilitate a family centered experience in the planning phases, in the operating room and in recovery. We will examine and discuss this through a cross cultural communications lens. This will be a safe place to explore your own history and experiences with the medical community and its role in labor and delivery and increase self awareness in order to be as effective as possible in these situations and help your clients do the same.

Attention Expecting Parents!
We have two classes coming up this week at our in person location in Portland. For more info visit our website birthfirstdoulas.com

1. Birth Coping Dec 7th 5.30pm-8pm:
In this class, we will explore the idea of what coping in labor looks like and learn a variety of coping practices to prepare for the intensity of labor, birth, and beyond! Class time will include opportunities for partner support.

2. Birth Prep Class 1pm-5.30pm:
This 4.5 hour hands-on class is offered twice a month and is an excellent way to prepare for your upcoming childbirth experience. In this class we will cover the basics of birth anatomy, the hormones of birth, the stages of labor and what to expect, as well as how to support your mind, body, and heart through the journey. We will introduce and practice comfort and coping techniques as well as labor positions, and you and your support person will have a chance to practice together. When you finish this class, you and your support person will walk away understanding the stages of labor, which coping strategies and positions will be helpful, and what additional tools will be available to you at your birth location.

Attention Parents! Our class schedule for the week starting Dec 04 - Dec 12. Featured Event for parents will be our free zoom call to meet our lactation consultants.

Other Parent Classes include

1. Newborn care Dec 04 9.30am-12.30am AND Dec 10 1-4pm :
This 3 hour parenting class is taught by an experienced postpartum doula and explains how to care for your newborn baby including diapering, swaddling, soothing, infant bathing, babywearing, and much more! While there is no official handbook on babies, this parenting class is the cliff notes version – with hands-on practice! Taught by Bridgetown Baby Postpartum Doulas.

2. Parent and Feeding Support Circle:
This in-person support circle is offered twice a month and is a welcoming and non-judgmental place to gather with other parents and infants and share the joys and challenges of this season of life! While this group is not feeding specific, meetings are facilitated by a Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) who will have a hospital grade scale to weigh babies if you are interested. Join us!

3. Newborn Care Essential Taught by a Pediatrician Dec 8th 6-8pm:
This 2 hour class provides an overview of what to expect in the first days and weeks of life with your new little one! You'll learn the basics of feeding, diapering, sleeping, and development from a board-certified pediatrician, with a special focus on building your village and fostering communication with your partner.

*This group meets on the first and thirds Tuesday of each month.

*Registration is required to attend.

4. Breastfeeding basics Dec. 10th 10am-12pm : This class will prepare you and your partner to feed your baby with confidence! An experienced International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) will cover the basics to get you and your baby off to a great start, including: the biology of making milk, learning your baby’s feeding cues, positions and techniques for feeding at breast/chest and by bottle, introduction to breast pumps, when to get professional support, and all the most frequently asked questions we hear from new parents.

Calling all Doulas and Birth Workers! 🫄🤰 This in person class is for birth workers and focuses on advanced techniques for teaching coping in labor and birth. You will learn and experience Birthing From Within's foundational pain-coping practices, including ways to engage parents in using vocalization for labor.

Oxytocin is often known as the "hormone of love" because it is involved with lo******ng, fertility, contractions during labor and birth and the release of milk in breastfeeding.

It helps us feel good, and it triggers nurturing feelings and behaviors. So we often encourage our loved ones to be near during labor and birth to help produce more of this love hormone :)

While the medical definition of the postpartum period is 6 weeks, most postpartum folks report that it takes many more months to feel fully recovered from birth. As your "birth date" draws near, it is important that you have a dedicated time to meet in a small group and discuss ways to optimize your postpartum recovery experience. The goal of this class is to give you the tools and education you need to stay as strong, connected, and energized as possible during this marathon time with your little one. This non-judgmental space allows you to strategize and set the foundation for postpartum success. During this 1.5 hour class, we will discuss:

1. Postpartum planning and how to set the stage for your physical recovery.

2. Simple daily tools you can utilize to boost your mental and emotional health.

3. How to connect with resources (and what is available to you) when you are struggling.

4. We will also have space for a Q&A so feel free to bring your questions, concerns, and curiosities as we open the conversation to support your individual postpartum journey.

With Thanksgiving coming up, we want to give a big THANK YOU to all the parents who have trusted us this past year. We are looking forward to bringing you the same level of compassion and care in 2023.