our doulas:
Amanda Strauss
BCD (DONA), Mother Tree Doula

"Everyone woman has everything she needs to have the birth experience she wants. Sometimes she just needs a reminder or additional support. That is what I am there for. Every woman, every partnership is entitled to whatever type of birth they want.

I believe that every woman, every partnership is entitled to all the education and information they need to make healthy birth decisions. All things that come along with birth are natural. Birth can be a deep, sometimes difficult journey into oneself. "

Amanda sees each birth as unique and tailors her compassionate support to each individual woman's needs and desires. She believes her role as a doula is to help women realize the birth they envision through support, advocacy, and education. For Amanda, it is a great gift and honor to be a support for women going through the birth process. She approaches the each experience with purpose and wholeheartedness.

Amanda came to Mother Tree after spending three months in southeastern Kentucky shadowing midwives at the historical Frontier Nursing Service and providing public health outreach in the community. It was in the heart of Appalachia that Amanda experienced the vast difference continuous physical, emotional, and mental support can make for a birthing woman, especially in a hospital setting. Since then she has also attended births at a Birth Center in Madisonville, TN. Amanda received her training through DONA and Birth Hands Doula Cooperative (a ALACE derivative).

A graduate of Colorado College, Amanda obtained a degree in Biology. For a few years she worked in the non-profit and community organizing fields. Wanting to work with women, for women and completely support the women’s choices in the birth process brought Amanda to doula work. She is also a Certified Hatha Yoga Teacher and practices Reiki at Level II.

When Amanda is not massaging laboring feet, she loves to work with fiber, try out new kitchen projects, drink tea and go for long hikes. BIRTH

SPECIALTIES

• Relaxation techniques (breathing, visualization)
• Massage
• Supported positioning
• Transcribing/writing birth stories
• Yoga
• Calm demeanor, Good listener
• Facilitation

Please contact us:
Portland ~ 503-343-9911
Vancouver ~ 360-635-5666
...or contact us online!