Maria Armstrong
Accepts insurances
Category
Birth Doula
Average star rating
N/A
Experience
19 years
Maria Armstrong
Accepts insurances
Birth Doula
19 years of experience
N/A
Portland, Oregon
Maria Armstrong
Accept insurances
Birth Doula
Portland, Oregon
19 years of experience
About me
Supporting families since 2007 with evidence-based information, hands-on continuous labor support, and advocacy. I am a Dutch gal in the USA, blessed with a husband, 4 kids, and 3 cats. I love getting dirty in my native backyard habitat, knitting, cross-stitching, singing, attending live concerts, and discovering new coves at the coast. I was inspired to become a birth professional after my own powerful birth experiences. The birth of my first child was incredibly intense, and I discovered an inner strength that I did not know I had. I learned from this birth that our bodies are incredible and unpredictable and that giving birth was simultaneously beautiful and raw.
Education
BA in linguistics (1990)
Certification and training
Birth Arts International (2021)
Birthingway College of Midwifery (2009)
Lamaze (2021)
Credentials
CBD
LCCE
Languages
English
Accepted insurances
CareOregon
Carrot
Health Share of Oregon
Medicaid
PacificSource Health Plans
Yamhill Community Care Organization
Service introduction
Feel seen and heard for a positive experience! Lean on the comfort, knowledge, skills, intuition, and presence unique to doula support. Whether you are planning a home birth or hospital birth, are low-risk or high-risk, whether this is your first baby or not, warm, calm, and professional support that keeps your needs and preferences at heart makes you feel seen, supported, and confident during your pregnancy, labor, birth, and the immediate postpartum time.
Packages
Doula services
Feel seen and heard for a positive experience
Lean on the comfort, knowledge, skills, intuition, and presence unique to doula support. Whether you are planning a home birth or hospital birth, are low-risk or high-risk, whether this is your first baby or not, warm, calm, and professional support that keeps your needs and preferences at heart makes you feel seen, supported, and confident during your pregnancy, labor, birth, and the immediate postpartum time.
$2,250.00
USD Flat rate
Birth Care Plan
Turn your birth plan into an individual care plan!
Unsure how to write a birth plan?
Too many templates online?
Were you told that birth plans aren't read and you can't plan birth anyway?
Have a birth plan and would like someone with experience to review it?
Let me help you! As an experienced doula, I view the birth plan as a tool of communication, not to plan your birth, but to bring the team together around you, thus creating a care plan.
$55.00
USD Flat rate
Childbirth Education
Learn how to achieve your goals
Explore the safest and healthiest childbirth options for you without judgment. Build a toolbox of coping skills and gain confidence in asking questions and making informed decisions. Create your birth and postpartum plan, and work with your partner, support person, and birthing team to achieve your goals.
$475.00
USD Flat rate
Doula services
Feel seen and heard for a positive experience
Lean on the comfort, knowledge, skills, intuition, and presence unique to doula support. Whether you are planning a home birth or hospital birth, are low-risk or high-risk, whether this is your first baby or not, warm, calm, and professional support that keeps your needs and preferences at heart makes you feel seen, supported, and confident during your pregnancy, labor, birth, and the immediate postpartum time.
$2,250.00
USD Flat rate
Birth Care Plan
Turn your birth plan into an individual care plan!
Unsure how to write a birth plan?
Too many templates online?
Were you told that birth plans aren't read and you can't plan birth anyway?
Have a birth plan and would like someone with experience to review it?
Let me help you! As an experienced doula, I view the birth plan as a tool of communication, not to plan your birth, but to bring the team together around you, thus creating a care plan.
$55.00
USD Flat rate
Childbirth Education
Learn how to achieve your goals
Explore the safest and healthiest childbirth options for you without judgment. Build a toolbox of coping skills and gain confidence in asking questions and making informed decisions. Create your birth and postpartum plan, and work with your partner, support person, and birthing team to achieve your goals.
$475.00
USD Flat rate
Ratings and reviews
Be the first to write Maria a review!
Frequently asked questions
Why a doula?
As a doula, I am dedicated to bringing confidence, skills, and knowledge to your pregnancy, childbirth, and early parenting experience. My goal is for you to feel confident in your ability to cope and achieve your goals.
I offer personalized support that includes emotional encouragement, childbirth education, pain management techniques, and continuous labor support. I work closely with you to understand your birth plan and preferences, ensuring that you feel empowered and well-prepared every step of the way. Whether you need guidance on breathing exercises, help in creating a comforting birthing environment, or just a reassuring presence, I am here to help you navigate this transformative journey with confidence and care.
Doula care demonstrates remarkably improved physical and psychological outcomes for pregnant, birthing, and postpartum people and their babies. Doulas have a positive impact on the well-being of the entire family during the perinatal period.
What is your philosophy?
My philosophy is that we all deserve someone who reminds us that we can trust our inner strength and guidance. Birth is unpredictable. Whether planning a home birth or hospital birth, low-risk or high-risk, first baby or not, feeling seen, supported, and confident during pregnancy, labor, birth, and the immediate postpartum time is very important. You will remember how you felt and how you were made to feel. This is the space a doula holds; my heart is invested in doing this.
What is your style?
Over the years, I have learned that in order to serve someone well it is essential to develop a sense of what is unfolding in each labor and use detective skills as it were.
Tools can come in handy, and I certainly have many, but so do sitting, listening, and feeling. I observe the labor, the process, the smells, and the sounds to become aware of what is happening physically and emotionally. This then helps me to know and intuit what to do when and why.
My focus is supporting the labor flow and creating balance and space in the pelvis, and yes, this is also important if someone needs an induction and/or has an epidural. Enhancing normal physiology can help improve your labor and birth.
Good prenatal preparation of body, mind, heart, and soul is also important, and I do not miss an opportunity to support my clients with tools and resources to support their whole being.
I approach things with a sense of humor, calm & groundedness. I am dependable, somewhat direct, and not too bothered with hierarchies.
How will hiring you affect my partner's role during the birth?
My role as a doula is to support BOTH of you, albeit in different ways.
My support role is unique because I am not going through a personal transition like your partner is. My skills are grounded in training and experience, allowing me to bring a broader perspective to your labor, birth, and immediate postpartum time. I give supportive information to help you make decisions. I draw from my intuition when offering support, tips, and tools.
Your partner’s role is unique because no one else in the room loves and supports you emotionally in that special way. Their deep love for you is its own anchor for this transformative time. It can be hard to see a loved one go through labor, and I help partners be the best labor support they can be. Even the most well-prepared partner feels relieved when a doula is in the room!
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