Guides
Darlene Charise is a holistic birth and postpartum doula, herbalist, and womb wellness practitioner dedicated to supporting families through one of life’s most sacred transitions birth and the postpartum journey. Born in Portland, Oregon and now rooted in the Pacific Northwest, Darlene brings a nurturing blend of compassion, cultural awareness, and holistic wisdom to every family she serves. Her passion for birthwork was born from personal experience, first as a single mother raising her daughter with the help of her village, and later as a grandmother supporting her own daughter through birth and postpartum. These moments deepened her understanding of how vital community, rest, and holistic care are for mothers and families. Through her practice, Womb & Root, Darlene weaves together evidence-based education, ancestral healing traditions, herbal support, and emotional nourishment. Her mission is to help families feel seen, supported, and empowered honoring the body’s natural wisdom and restoring the sacred village of care every family deserves. Please view my reviews on DoulaMatch: https://doulamatch.net/profile/37085/darlene-johnson
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Our birth doula services provide continuous, compassionate support for you and your family throughout pregnancy, labor, and the early postpartum period. Each package includes two prenatal visits (with additional visits available as needed), hands-on support during labor and delivery, and one postpartum follow-up visit to check in on your recovery and transition into parenthood. We focus on your comfort, confidence, and informed decision-making whether you’re planning a hospital birth, birth center, or home birth. From emotional encouragement and physical comfort measures to advocacy and education, your doula is there every step of the way. *All packages can be custom built based on your needs and availability.
Our Virtual Support Bundle provides the care and reassurance of a doula no matter where you are. This package includes virtual prenatal visits to prepare you for birth, real-time virtual support during labor and delivery, and a postpartum check-in to help you transition into parenthood with confidence. Through video calls, text, and phone support, we offer guidance, advocacy, and encouragement from start to finish. This option is ideal for families outside our service area, those preferring virtual care, or anyone seeking flexible doula support that fits their lifestyle. You will automatically be enrolled in our 6 Week Postpartum Healing Journey Program. All packages can be custom built based on your needs and availability.
Eight hours of steady, attentive care through the night — 10pm to 6am — so you can actually sleep. Newborn wake-ups & feeding support (bottle, pumped milk, or gentle breastfeeding wake-support) Light nursery reset before your doula leaves Morning recap so you wake up informed, not worried
For families who want continuous care wrapped into one seamless 24-hour cycle day and night, without a gap. Day visit (4–6 hrs) of newborn care, light meals & emotional check-ins Full Overnight Support shift (8 hrs), same cycle Everything included in Moonlit Nest, plus daytime household support
A day of hands-on support, paired with a moment of ritual care for your body and womb. Day visit (4–6 hrs) of newborn care, recovery support & light household help One 45-minute postpartum yoni steam session Steam session bundled at $125 a $25 savings off the standalone rate
Because a well-fed mother heals differently a day of support, plus a kitchen full of nourishing meals. Day visit (4–6 hrs) of newborn care, recovery support & light household help 4 hours of postpartum meal prep, freezer-ready meals made in your kitchen Meal prep bundled at $245 a $30 savings off the standalone rate
Womb & Root offers holistic birth and postpartum doula support designed to nurture families through every stage of pregnancy, birth, and recovery. Services include in-person and virtual doula care, postpartum planning, lactation and newborn support, herbal wellness, and yoni steaming guidance. With a blend of evidence-based care and ancestral wisdom, Darlene helps families feel supported, empowered, and connected from womb to root.
I had Darlene as my doula for my first baby. She was very organized and I appreciated her thoughtfulness and prenatal meetings. She supported me through my transition between midwives and OB care. Postpartum, I utilized her overnight services which was super helpful as a first time mom.
— Marleisha Engstrom
Absolutely amazing. I love her she is great with babies. I HIGHLY recommend. She is a post partum and birth doula and is absolutely amazing with my little one.
— Yasmin Malave
Darlene was my doula during the pregnancy and birth of my first child. My family was so fortunate to find Darlene! She brought a sense of calm and competence in the final weeks of my pregnancy, providing resources, exercises, and sharing her own personal and professional experiences. We went into labor knowing we had a strong advocate. Darlene was beyond helpful during labor by keeping me moving with appropriate exercises. She also helped us communicate with medical staff and was a source of encouragement- reminding me to trust myself and my body. After labor, Darlene routinely checked on my family. Overall, Darlene is a wonderful doula and source of support! I would not hesitate to work with her again.
— Dana Nickson
Darlene has been such a light in our lives during this really special but vulnerable time in our lives when we welcomed our now 5 month old son. She was extremely warm, poised, reliable and communicative. Her expert advice helped improve his colic symptoms earlier on, allowing us to have a healthier happy baby and much needed rest for us parents even on nights when she wasn't around. We're so grateful and highly recommend her!
— Monika
Darlene has been such a blessing for our family. She cared for our twins overnight with so much love, calmness, and expertise. She handled every feeding, soothing moment, and tiny detail so we could finally get some real rest (which we so desperately needed). Waking up to happy, well-cared-for babies meant the world to us. We’re truly grateful. We are very picky and Darlene checked EVERY box. Don't hesitate- she's the one for your family!
— De’Chanelle Kalulu-Finau
Thank you for showing our twins love and care while we heal. We appreciate you! Don’t hesitate - book that night of sleep!
— De’Chanelle Kalulu-Finau
Having my second child 10 years after my first, I knew I wanted to try something different this time around and choosing a doula was one of the best decisions I made. From our very first meeting, Darlene was warm, welcoming, and attentive to both me and my significant other. She made us feel instantly at ease and well-supported. Throughout my pregnancy, Darlene provided regular check-ins and shared incredibly helpful education and resources. Her knowledge and the way she explained things made me feel informed, empowered, and more confident going into labor. Darlene was by my side through my entire 24-hour labor. She never left, and her presence was everything I didn’t know I needed. She guided me through different labor positions to help move my baby into place, kept me comfortable, made me laugh, and encouraged me every step of the way right alongside the my spouse. Her ability to be both professional and down-to-earth made her so relatable and comforting to be around. Even after delivery, her home visit brought peace and reassurance during those delicate postpartum days. She didn’t just support me physically, but emotionally too. I also want to shout out her business. Her yoni oil and feminine wash are amazing! You can truly feel the care and intention she puts into everything she does. I highly recommend Darlene to any expecting mother. Whether it’s your first or your fifth. If you’re looking for someone who is knowledgeable, compassionate, and supportive in every way, Darlene is the doula for you.
— Tyzhane Lamkin
My name is Christen and I am eternally grateful for Darlene! My pregnancy was a difficult one and it was very stressful. I also had trouble finding a doula I could really connect with and who was consistent. When we met we instantly clicked. I was very nervous and full of anxiety when I had my C section, but her being there calmed me immediately! She is so understanding and caring. I couldn't have asked for a better doula!! ♥♥?
— Christen Blackwell
My husband and I are so glad we connected with Darlene to support us through the birth of our first child. From the first consult to prenatal visits to my birth experience and postpartum visit, Darlene brought wisdom, knowledge, care, and resources to her approach as a birth doula. The two prenatal visits helped prepare my husband and I for the birth by walking us through exercises to prepare for birth, helping us to reflect and dialogue on navigating the postpartum period, and us just all getting to know each other. I ended up being induced a bit earlier than planned and Darlene was responsive and available. She guided me through movement, stretches, and breathing while in labor that were key to my labor progression and ability to handle contractions. She reminded me to trust myself and my body throughout the process and medical decision-making. I can't imagine my birth experience without Darlene being present. She was key to my having a positive labor experience. I highly recommend Darlene as a birth doula and hope to work with her again in the future!
— Dana
Darlene was so helpful, kind and caring. the overnights that she came made my recovery and sleep possible while my baby girl woke up 3-4 times a night, I was able to nurse and go back to sleep while she made sure she was dry, full and rocked back to sleep. During her daytime visits she played with my older daughter and chatted with me about how things were going, talked with my mom who was visiting and I was able to get some things done around the house or take a nap. Having a postpartum doula for my secondborn was the best decision!
— Guenevere
Darlene is an excellent postpartum doula. She helped our family 2 nights a week for the first 4 weeks after delivery, and provided crucial aid to allow my husband and I to rest between feeds overnight - especially post c-section with our 2nd baby. Darlene has a calm and caring disposition. She listened to me just talk and explore my new world as a mom of two during the night feeds, and offered sound advice for how to care for our newborn (like burping, pacifier use, calming, sleeping). Because even as a second time mom I forgot what to do. Her help was critical and I believe set us up for a world of overnight success in the early days. Our baby is now 8 weeks old and I'm convinced she only wakes 1 or 2x a night to feed because of Darlene and her understanding of newborn sleep and eating cues. Hire her, you won't regret it.
— Keri Miriello
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Darlene is based in Lakewood, Washington.
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