our doulas:
Kate Merrifield CD (DONA), CHBE
CERTIFIED BIRTH DOULA

I believe in the birth process and women's innate ability to birth their babies when given space to listen to their bodies. I see birth as an extraordinary juxtaposition of the physiological and the spiritual, and it is my goal to provide moms and their partners with gentle guidance to encourage both. I consider it the greatest compliment when families tell me my presence made the experience feel normal.

Kate is a DONA-certified birth doula, certified Happiest Baby on the Block educator and a WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor. She grew up subtly (and sometimes not so subtly) learning about birth from her mother, now a retired labor and delivery nurse, former La Leche League leader and Lamaze instructor. After Kate gave birth to her two children (Adaline in 2004 and Landon in 2007) surrounded by loving, unwavering support, this lurking passion for all things birth and breastfeeding came bubbling to the surface.

Bringing practical perspective and a calming disposition, Kate has supported families through births in hospitals and at home, cesarean sections, and VBAC, and it is the unique experience of each one that enriches her knowledge and love for her work. She specializes in hands-on relaxation, optimal positions to facilitate birth, and partner involvement, and she possesses a keen awareness of mom's moment-to-moment needs. An experienced breastfeeding counselor, Kate also prepares families prenatally for breastfeeding with education that focuses on how milk production works, proper latch and positioning, and community resources. In the postpartum period, Kate helps with breastfeeding initiation and remains a source of support in the early weeks to help mom lay a strong foundation from which to reach her breastfeeding goals.

Kate's professional aspirations surround strengthening her abilities to instill in moms their own confidence to birth, breastfeed, and parent. She regularly attends birth support workshops and trainings on breastfeeding and keeps up with the latest research and techniques for both through extended networks of birth professionals across the country.

"I knew that if I was going to go natural I needed all the help I could get. We knew at once that Kate would be perfect for us. She was very informative during our preinterview and I was always able to get ahold of her if I had any questions. She also provided me with tools and information to prepare me for the delivery. Kate was such a blessing for our family. " - Danielle V.

"Kate was like a relaxing breath of fresh air when she arrived and continued to be a huge source of support throughout our natural labor and delivery.

Her presence also allowed my husband to take breaks, eat as needed, and feel reassured throughout the process. Overall, Kate was an incredibly valuable, confident, and calm presence. She kept us feeling good about our ability to have the natural birth we wanted and we could not have done it without her." - Annie N.

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