What does a birth doula do?
- Recognizes birth as a key experience that the mother will remember for the rest of her life.
- Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor and the postpartum period.
- Assists the woman in preparing for and carrying out her plans for birth.
- Stays with the woman throughout the labor.
- Provides emotional support and physical comfort measures.
- Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner, and providers.
- Provides support to partners during the labor and postpartum period.
Doulas are listed in alphabetical order. To hire one of our doulas, please contact them via their website links below.
Rachel Brannan CD
Certified Birth Doula
SPDA Volunteer
“My hope and ultimate goal as a doula is to empower parents with the knowledge that they have choices and then to provide unwavering support. Having a baby is a life altering experience each time and every birthing person deserves emotional and physical support throughout that process.”
Certification Organization: Birth Arts International
Year Began Practicing: 2018
Number of Families Served: 10+
Education: BS Family & Human Development/ASU
Additional Training:
- Rebozo & Acupressure
- Chewelah Creek Breech Birth Workshop
Other Maternity Services Offered: Breast-pump & Pregnancy medical supplies specialist for Tricare Insurance
Website: www.desertdoulabirth.com
Service area: Medical Lake, Airway Heights, Spokane, and Coeur d’Alene
Heidy Cartwright
Certifying Birth Doula
“A breastfeeding doula can be used as a resource for information and comforting maternal figure to help during this transition period.”
Certification Organization: International Doula Association
Year Began Practicing: 2021
Number of Families Served: 2+
Education: B.A. in Drama/ University of California
Masters in Education/University of California Riverside
Contact: Heidy.Cartwright@protonmail.com
Service area: Spokane, and Coeur d’Alene
Holly Clark CD(DONA)
Certified Birth Doula
Doula Mentor & SPDA Volunteer
“My hope is to help prepare you and your partner during pregnancy, to encourage, affirm and support you during birth and leave you at the end of my job feeling absolutely empowered. Because you were made for this and you deserve excellent care.”
Certification Organization: DONA International
Year Began Practicing: 2017
Number of Families Served: 15+
Education: Bachelors degree in Communication, minor in Theology / Whitworth University
Additional Training:
- CPR Certified, 2019
Other Maternity Services offered: Childbirth Education Classes
Website: http://www.hollyclarkdoula.com
Service area: Spokane and some surrounding areas
Melanie Floerchinger CD
Certified Birth Doula
Founder, Board President & Doula Mentor
“It is such an honor to be a part of someone’s life changing journey into parenthood, I look forward to speaking with you.”
Certification Organization: Birthing From Within™
Year Began Practicing: 2012
Number of Families Served: 90+
Education: B.S. in Exercise Science & Minor in Native American Studies/University of Montana
Additional Training:
- Infant/Child CPR Certified, 2019
- Bereavement Workshop, 2019
- Birthing From Within™ : Advanced Mentor Workshop
- Pregnancy and Infant Loss Training, 2021
- Advanced Doula Training (Mother Tree Doula Services), 2021
- Bloodborne Pathogens Certification, 2021
- Infant/Child CPR Certified, 2021
Other Maternity Services Offered: Childbirth Education Classes
Website: www.overthemoonbirthing.com
Service area: Spokane and Coeur d’Alene areas
Jessica Frangione CD(DONA)
Certified Birth Doula
Board Vice President & Doula Mentor
“I love encouraging mothers and fathers to learn and confidently make informed decisions. It is such an honor to be welcomed into the birth room and be able to nurture others as they become a family!”
Certification Organization: DONA International
Year Began Practicing: 2017
Number of Families Served: 30+
Education: BA in Elementary Education/Eastern Washington University
Website: www.tinytoesbirthservices.com
Service area: Spokane and Coeur d’Alene areas
Claire Ghering CD(DONA)
Certified Birth Doula
Doula Mentor & SPDA Volunteer
“I view birth and the postpartum period as hugely impactful seasons in a family system, and my goal is to support each client through that transition with compassionate care. My goal is to approach each birth with open-handed awareness, staying educated AND respectful of the way each birth story unfolds. I love working with clients who are active participants in their holistic health and learning surrounding the childbearing year.”
Certification Organization: DONA International
Year Began Practicing: 2017
Number of Families Served: 18+
Education: BS in Human Development/Warner Pacific College
Additional Training:
- Infant & Child CPR 2019
- Perinatal Support Washington Workshop: Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders
- Spinning Babies Workshop
- Evidence Based Birth Workshop: Savvy Birth Pro
- Advanced Doula Workshop: Rethinking Prenatals
Website: www.gracedinbirth.com
Service area: Greater Spokane Area
Susan Johnson CD
Certified Birth Doula
SPDA Volunteer
“My true life passion lies in empowering women. After having my first baby I was drawn to supporting and documenting women and their families through pregnancy, birth, and the early years of motherhood. It would be an honor to join you on your journey.”
Certification Organization: Madriella
Year Began Practicing: 2016
Number of Families Served: 25+
Education: BS in Psychology/Washington State University
Additional Training:
- “Birth Becomes Her” Birth Film Workshop
- Sexual Violence Training/Post Falls Victims Service Unit
- Domestic Violence Danger Assessment Certification/Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing
- Sexual Violence Advocacy in the Hospital/Safe Passage Violence Prevention Center
- Legal Advocate Training/YMCA of Spokane
Other Maternity Services Offered: Maternity Photography Services
Website: www.cdabirthphotographer.com
Service Area: Greater Spokane Area, Coeur d’Alene. Also Pullman, Moscow, & Sandpoint for a small travel fee.
Jamie Koop
Certifying Birth Doula
SPDA Volunteer
“I’m Happy mother of Six beautiful children. I love seeing new family’s being born. I pride myself in offering the best birth experience the way you and partner choose. I offer calm emotional, educational and physical support. I live by the Quote “Good things come to those who wait” .”
Certification Organization: DONA International
Year Began Practicing: 2018
Website: https://birthdoulajamiekoo.wixsite.com
Service Area: Spokane and Coeur d’Alene
Beth Mathis CD(DONA)
Certified Birth Doula
SPDA Mentor and Board Secretary
“Every mother should be encouraged and supported during pregnancy and birth. I work with mom and partner to help both feel as comfortable and relaxed as possible, helping them to get information to make choices, while advocating for mother’s intuition. I believe that every mom should have the right to choose a doula. I would be honored to assist you in having the birth you are hoping for.”
Certification Organization: DONA International
Year Began Practicing: 2011
Number of Families Served: 80+
Education: Certified Nurses Aid
Additional Training:
- Collaborative Practice, Advanced Doula Training
- Rebozo Workshop with Gina Kirby
- Perinatal Support Washington Workshop: Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders
- Advanced Doula Training (Mother Tree Doula Services), 2021
- Bloodborne Pathogens Certification, 2021
Other Maternity Services Offered: Guidance for mothers through breech and pre-term births, even non-clients.
Website: www.bienvenuebaby.com
Service Area: Greater Spokane and Coeur d’Alene areas
Sarah McDonald CD
Certified Birth Doula
SPDA Volunteer
“As your doula, my joy and hope is to empower you to make informed choices about your health: mind, body, and soul. It is such an honor to walk with families through this intimate experience. You deserve excellent care for your whole self, and I will do everything in my power so you can see your birth vision come to fruition.”
Certification Organization: DONA International
Year Began Practicing: 2019
Number of Families Served: 10+
Education: BA in English Literature/Whitworth University
Website: www.sarahmdoula.com
Service Area: Greater Spokane and North Idaho
Courtney Rowland CD(DONA)
Certified Birth Doula
SPDA Board Treasurer
“My job as a doula is to support you and your partner physically and emotionally. I work to enhance everything you’ve prepared for so that you maintain dignity, power, and peace, and you remember your birth story with pride and happiness.”
Certifying Organization: DONA International
Year Began Practicing: 2017
Number of Families Served: 15+
Additional Training:
- Certified belly dance instructor
- Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders in COVID area training with Perinatal Support WA, 2021
- Advanced Doula Training (Mother Tree Doula Services), 2021
- Bloodborne Pathogens Certification, 2021
Other Maternity Services Offered: Belly Dancing Prenatal Classes
Website: www.facebook.com/courtneyrowlanddoula
Service Area: Spokane area
Melanie Shaul CD
Certified Birth Doula
“My passion is to positively impact growing families by providing non-judgmental support while instilling confidence. As a birth and postpartum doula my primary goal is to provide a stress-free environment that allows my clients to really relax and enjoy the moments that come with pregnancy and birth.”
Certifying Organization: International Doula Institute
Year Began Practicing: 2020
Number of Families Served: 5+
Additional Training:
- Placenta Encapsulation with Womb Wisdom
- TENS Unite trained with Sharon Muza
- Rebozo Arts with Womb Wisdom
- Lactation Specialist with Lactation Education
- Bloodborne Pathogens Certificate, 2021
- Adult and Children CPR
- Food Handlers Certification with Washington State
Other Maternity Services Offered: Placenta Encapsulation/Postpartum Doula Services
Website: www.preciousstardoulaservices.com
Service Area: Greater Spokane and Coeur d’Alene areas
Lisa Walters CD
Certified Birth Doula
“My greatest desire is to provide families with personalized professional labor and birth support—both physical and emotional, as well as informational. I consider it a joy and an honor to be a part of my clients’ birth support team. And I am grateful for the opportunity to work with families during such a pivotal time in their lives.”
Certifying Organization: Childbirth International
Year Began Practicing: 2013
Number of Families Served: 80+
Education: BA in Liberal Arts/Colorado Christian University
Additional Training:
- Spinning Babies Workshop
- Birth Assistant Training/Northwest Birth Assistants
- DONA in-person extended training
- ICEA in-person Childbirth Educator training
- Bloodborne Pathogens Certificate, 2021
- Advanced Doula Training (Mother Tree Birth Services), 2021
Other Maternity Services Offered: “A Heavenly Welcome” Christian childbirth education; military family support
Website: https://lisajoywalters.net/
Service Area: Greater Spokane and Northern Idaho