{ currently on sabbatical ~ please contact Mary ~ to schedule an available doula }

our doulas:
Tami Canales
Certified Doula (DONA)

It is my heart’s desire to make a difference in women’s lives. As a doula, I am honored to witness one of the most intimate and life changing experiences in a woman’s life. I believe that each birth journey is unique and that in order for a woman to surrender to the instinctual nature of birth that she must feel safe and supported. Birth isn’t something that just happens to us – we are empowered by becoming conscious and active participants.
-- Tami Canales

There is a power that comes to women when they give birth. They don’ ask for it, it simply invades them. Accumulates like clouds on the horizon and passes through, carrying the child with it. -- Sheryl Feldman

Each woman needs to be encouraged and reassured in such a way that she is empowered and able to recognize her own strength. A woman always has a reason for her choices and I affirm her innate ability to know what she needs to do to take care of herself and her baby. I believe in being fully present and available in the moment to surround a birthing woman with loving acceptance free from judgment and expectations.

As a mother of three (a singleton and one set of twins) and a grandmother of three I have had the opportunity to personally experience birth under a wide variety of circumstances: induction, epidural, high risk, natural multiple breech birth, emergency cesarean and birth in a nontraditional setting with hospital transport.

I received my DONA International training in 2007 and was certified as a Birth Doula in 2008. I received advanced training through a 6 month internship with MotherTree Birth Services and a 40 hour course in Women’s Healing Arts for the Childbearing Year. Since August of 2008 I have been a member of PDX Doulas, a nonprofit organization funded by CareOregon, who provide free professional birth doula services to qualifying patients at Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU) Hospital.

Just as each birth is unique so is each doula. She uses her own individual style, skills, strengths and life experience to provide a nurturing space. I have an intuitive, calm nature which allows me to be a supportive, patient and calming presence for families. I also have over 15 years experience as a commercial property manager for a large corporation and have learned crisis management, flexibility and diplomacy. This experience serves me well as I interact with hospital staff and respond to the fluidity of birth. I relax and recharge by spending time with my children and grandchildren, reading, quilting, gardening and taking long walks with my sweetie and 2 dogs.

Whether or not this is your first child each birth has its own course and I would be privileged to be part of your birth support team as you make this once in a lifetime journey.

"Birth is not only about making babies. It’s about making mothers – strong, competent, capable mothers who trust themselves and believe in their inner strength." --Barbara Katz Rothman

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