Lori Lawrence

Accept insurances
Birth Doula
Portland, Oregon
18 years of experience
5.0
About me

I'm a former licensed teacher that followed my passion to change my 17 year side job of childbirth education and birth doula work into a full time career. It started with earning my credentials as a childbirth educator from the Seattle Midwifery School and teaching in Portland area hospitals but morphed into doing birth doula work as people I met invited me to be part of their births. I like to say I fell into birth doula work unintentionally, but it ignited a passion to do it all that I could (while raising young children, teaching kindergarten part time, and teaching childbirth prep. WHEW! Those were busy years!) Fast forward to 2022, when I became an empty nester (letting both my scientist and my opera singing daughters fly!) and made the decision to leave the classroom and pursue birth doula work and childbirth education. I hold a Masters Degree in curriculum and instruction, so helping birthing people and their support team learn about birth is a natural and easy process for me. Once I decided to do birth work full time, I pursed further education as a birth doula (which was a review of a TINY part that I learned through childbirth educator training, LOL!) and became DONA certified as a birth doula. Through the years I have been lucky to experience a wide variety of births: medicated, unmedicated, planned and unplanned cesarean, VBAC, and so much more. I have years of experience helping those that birth, with or without neurodivergence and other challenges, find their way to empowerment and joy, no matter how their birth journey unfolds. I pull from a wide range of tools, tricks, and methods to provide what YOU would like your birth to look, sound, and feel like. From Hypnobirthing, breathing, crafting the ideal birthing environment to Spinning babies, position work, and comfort measures (comforting touch, using water & heat, leveraging pleasure for more oxytocin), I actively pursue discovering YOUR magic combination for reduced discomfort, labor length, and stress. I keep the birth space calm, safe, easy-going, compassionate, and positive, so that you can enter parenthood empowered and joyful. I provide individualized education, encouragement, and planning prior to labor, and support during the birth process to take the pressure and stress off of you and your labor support though an experience that can have a bazillion variables and may be alien to you. I keep it simple and as stress free as I possibly can so that you can be fully present and enjoy your prenatal, birth, and postpartum experience.

Education

Masters Degree (2010)

Certification and training

Body Ready Method certified pro (2025)

Spinning Babies Trained (2024)

DONA Certified Birth Doula (2023)

VBAC Link Advanced Doula Certification (2024)

Memberships and affiliations

Oregon Doula Association

Credentials
CD (DONA)
Specialties
Advanced Maternal Age Anxiety Anxiety and Depression Birth Doula Birth Photographer Breastfeeding Assistance and Support Breech Birth Childbirth Education Evidence-Based Care High-Risk Pregnancy Hospital Birth Labor Doula Natural Childbirth Pain Management Parenting Postpartum Adjustment Postpartum Care Postpartum Life Pregnancy Complications Prenatal Life Relaxation Techniques Support during Labor, Birth, and Postpartum Support in Pregnancy Loss Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC) Water birth
Languages

English

Accepted insurances
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Carrot Cigna Health Net Health Share of Oregon Kaiser Permanente Legacy Health Moda Health PacificSource Health Plans Premera Blue Cross Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield Trillium Community Health Plan UnitedHealthcare Yamhill Community Care Organization Medicaid
Service introduction

My role is to help you have a satisfying birth as YOU define it. We use your birth goals as we plan and prepare together during prenatal appointments, so you feel excited and confident about labor beginning. I join you in labor at your desired location (home or birth space) to provide reassurance, hands-on comfort, encouragement, and strategic positioning/actions to bring about your best birth. I'm a Body Ready Method certified pro which means I have extensive training in how to facilitate a smoother, quicker physiological or medicated birth. I love supporting all birth, and love the challenge of medically complex, high risk, and VBAC births. I'd love to chat with you on Zoom so you can see who I am and what I can bring to your birth experience. I look forward to speaking with you!

Packages
Birth Doula Package
1 "Coffee Chat" getting-to-know-you visit (if before 31 wks) 2-4 prenatal planning and preparation visits in your home Unlimited email, text, & phone calls through 6 wks postpartum 24 hour on call availability from 38 wks through birth Continuous labor support until 1-2 hours after birth 2-4 postpartum follow up visits in your home Basic photography of labor/birth as I'm able (if desired) I accept OHP, OEBB, and PEBB insurance (except Kaiser)
$1,650.00
USD Flat rate
Ratings and reviews
Average
5.0
# of Reviews
25
5.0

Having Lori with is on this journey was incredible. As first time parents it was important to us that we had someone by our side who could help us navigate pregnancy, birth and postpartum. I immediately felt at ease with Lori - she offered an non-judgmental but educated approach. When our birth plans hit a snag (breech baby) she not only helped us pivot and prepare for a whole new set of unknowns but she sat with us in the grief that came along with accepting this new journey. I was so grateful to have Lori with us for our ECV and ultimately our c-section. Having her in the OR helped calm both mine and my husbands nerves. We are so grateful for her support throughout the entire process and look forward to working with her again when we decide to try for our second!

- Marisa

5.0

From the moment we began working together, my doula brought a calming, supportive presence that carried through every twist and turn of my birth experience. Although my delivery didn’t go as I originally planned, she helped me feel empowered every step of the way. Even when things shifted and certain options were no longer available, she reminded me that I still had a voice and choices in my birth — something that made all the difference in how I look back on that day.

- Jazzmin Charlat

5.0

Having Lori as our doula was one of the best decisions we made during our pregnancy and birthing experience. Not only is Lori incredibly organized and responsive to emails/texts/calls, but having her guidance and advice was so helpful as we prepared for the delivery of our miracle baby. She was always happily willing to drive to meet us in our community for our scheduled appointments with her, and we really appreciate that she took the time to tour our birthing center ahead of time to view the facilities and meet our midwives. Having Lori by our side at the birthing center was incredibly comforting, especially when a potential emergency with my placenta delivery arose.

- Jenna

5.0

We had a great experience with Lori! She was a calm presence and a great support. My husband was pretty freaked out during my labor so having Lori was a lifesaver. We would definitely recommend her!

- Claire V.

5.0

I could not have imagined a better experience than mine with Lori! I was so nervous to give birth, but she put me at such ease. She was knowledgeable, confirming, empathetic, informative, and an awesome advocate for me. She respected my beliefs and wishes, and made sure to follow up after the baby was born take sure all was well. I’m so glad I included her in my journey to become a mom!

- Ashley M.

5.0

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Lori. From the moment we met, she made me feel completely supported, informed, and empowered throughout my pregnancy and birth experience. She was not only a calming presence but also an incredible advocate for me and my baby. During labor, she provided unwavering encouragement, comfort techniques, and reassurance when I needed it most.

- Kyleen Johnson

5.0

Lori was an incredible doula. Being our first birth and with no family in the area, we were looking for some support and guidance through this time. We chose Lori because she seemed pragmatic and had a lot of relevant life experience. As a mother and former school teacher, Lori brings a very grounded yet enthusiastic energy to her work. She is friendly, knowledgeable, and up to date about everything from home births to medical interventions.

- Dan

5.0

I cannot recommend Lori enough to anyone seeking a supportive and knowledgeable doula for their pregnancy and birth! Lori provided unwavering support, encouragement, and guidance, helping me advocate for my birth preferences and navigate the challenges of labor.

- Rachelle

5.0

I can't recommend Lori enough. As first time parents having her by our side made a world of difference. She helped me really clarify the sort of birth experience I wanted and to say no or not yet when things weren't going to plan.

- Judit

5.0

Working with Lori was a game-changer for our birth experience, especially because my pregnancy was considered high-risk due to my age. She is present, highly knowledgeable, positive and delightful to work with.

- Dove G

5.0

Lori is the absolute best doula!! We had such an amazing experience with her. She truly cared about listening to my desires for birth and supporting me and my husband in any way that she could.

- Hannah

5.0

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.

- Heather

5.0

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.

- Lindsey

5.0

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.

- Lindsey Carlson

5.0

In short, Lori was exceptional. We are so, so glad we worked with her for the birth of our first child.

- Jaime

5.0

We had a wonderful birthing experience with Lori by our side. Lori brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in a nonjudgmental warm approach.

- Tatiana Salmon

5.0

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.

- Estany

5.0

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.

- Clover Thompson

5.0

I honestly cannot imagine my birth without Lori. She brought so much knowledge, kindness, and support to my prenatal, birth, and postpartum experience.

- Alexandra Houser

5.0

Lori is an amazing doula! She was very available to me throughout my pregnancy, in addition to being there during my labor.

- Kaylee Vandeberg

5.0

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.

- Heather Powers

5.0

I cannot recommend Lori strongly enough! Words cannot describe how grateful I am to her for helping me have 2 healthy birth experiences.

- Kaitlin Kauffman

5.0

You will not find a doula better than Lori! She is calm, wise, nurturing, and extremely knowledgeable.

- J. Arsenault

5.0

Lori was so helpful to me during my daughter's birth! She was encouraging and also advocated for my needs with the nurses.

- Jill Cain

5.0

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.

- Melinda Aldrich

Frequently asked questions
How long will you stay with me in labor?
What does on call mean?
What unique skills do you bring to your clients?
I'm hoping for a VBAC. How can you help?
I'm high risk / medically complex? What's your experience with this?
How can I pay for doula care with you?
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