Former Clients talk about their births with Lori Lawrence

          Lori was an incredible doula. Being our first birth and with no family in the area, we were looking for some support and guidance through this time. We chose Lori because she seemed pragmatic and had a lot of relevant life experience. As a mother and former school teacher, Lori brings a very grounded yet enthusiastic energy to her work. She is friendly, knowledgeable, and up to date about everything from home births to medical interventions. She is personally familiar with the various medical facilities in the Portland area, and knows how to navigate their systems.

As labor progressed at the hospital, Lori provided us with techniques to remain comfortable and to move the labor along naturally. She helped us understand the medical procedures and their implications as they arose.

Lori was very realistic, and did not minimize the challenges of birth. She listened to our goals and wishes, and compassionately provided her professional opinion and insight. Her warm, can-do attitude helped us remain confident and empowered throughout the journey. We highly recommend Lori’s services! — Dan & Kathryn, Portland 

          I cannot recommend Lori enough to anyone seeking a supportive and knowledgeable doula for their pregnancy and birth! Lori provided unwavering support, encouragement, and guidance, helping me advocate for my birth preferences and navigate the challenges of labor. My husband also felt incredibly supported by Lori, and he appreciated her ability to guide him in assisting me effectively. Thanks to Lori's expertise and compassionate care, I had a positive and empowering birth experience. I’m so happy I found Lori!  - Rachelle J.W., Portland

          My husband and I were so lucky to have found Lori! After a first birth that didn’t go as planned we knew we wanted more support the second time around. Lori was knowledgeable, kind, supportive and steady throughout my pregnancy and birth. She had many modalities in her toolbox to help promote pain relief and was essential in my smooth sailing birth experience.  -Hannah C., Portland

          I can't recommend Lori enough. As first time parents having her by our side made a world of difference. 

She helped me really clarify the sort of birth experience I wanted and to say no or not yet when things weren't going to plan. Without her help with pain management I probably could not have had the unmedicated birth I was hoping for. She is warm and caring, but also very down to earth and practical. I always felt supported and heard. If we ever have another kid, I hope she will be part of our team again. -Judit L., Portland

         Working with Lori was a game-changer for our birth experience, especially because my pregnancy was considered high-risk due to my age. She is present, highly knowledgeable, positive and delightful to work with. Lori is extremely passionate about supporting birthing parents. She worked diligently on our behalf to understand our hopes for the process of the birth of our first child. Lori has collegial working relationships with staff at local birthing centers and hospitals, which makes her a great liaison who smoothly communicates and helps mediate the interests of the birthing family and of the medical team. We needed to make a choice during one of the hardest moments of the journey that the medical team did not recommend, but we knew it was right for us. It led to the prevention of a C-section and the fulfillment of our wish to have a vaginal birth, which was extremely empowering. Lori's coaching to understand medical recommendations/evidence based practices and to balance them with our intuition and preferences was the educational piece that made this crucial moment a win for our family. Lori's laughter, bubbly personality and immense knowledge brought so much peace to us during an intimidating new experience, and so did her organizational skills and refined doula toolkit. We are so grateful to count her as one of our clan now. XOXO,   - Dove G., Portland   

        Lori is the absolute best doula!! We had such an amazing experience with her. She was such a blessing to me, my husband, and new baby boy. She truly cared about listening to my desires for birth and supporting me and my husband in any way that she could. She answered any questions we had along with sending informative links and resources. I loved how she created a relationship far before our baby was born and was there for anything I needed up until he was born and even supported us after his birth. She made it so easy by coming to us for all visits. After our baby was born I was so nervous to take him out in public and Lori met me at a local coffee shop to help me feel more comfortable being out of the house for one of the first times.

Our baby surprised us 4 weeks early and Lori was still there ready to go! I truly couldn't of gotten through my unmedicated labor and birth without her support especially with being thrown into things earlier than I was expecting. She was sooo helpful at the hospital communicating with the nurses and midwife and explaining things to me and my husband. She helped me cope with the contractions and was so positive and encouraging. She knew the birth that I wanted and did everything in her power for me to have it! I can't even describe how thankful I am for her and I can't wait to have her as our doula for our next baby. I highly recommend Lori she is a true blessing! -Hannah H., Happy Valley

         Lori was there for my TOLAC and I am SO thankful for her support and coaching. I went into labor earlier than expected and she came home from her vacation to be by my side. (She was super upfront about the timing of her vacation in advance and explained how she would drop everything and drive the 2 hours if needed.) She brought many different tools and techniques that helped me labor at home as long as I was able. Once we were at the hospital, she never left my side and encouraged my husband in certain ways that helped me lean on him before I could get the epidural. After 12+ hours of labor, I was able to get the epidural and we all took a long nap (Lori really felt like family at this point when we all curled up to catch some z's in the same room!). She helped us to ask questions of the nurses and doctor that brought more knowledge to decision making. We really appreciated her ability to read the room and especially her ability to read me and what I wanted when I couldn't get the words out. Unfortunately, I was not able to have a successful VBAC, but Lori was there until baby and I were safely back in our room. We really appreciated Lori's follow up visit to our home once we were settled and her willingness to sit with us as we reflected back on our experience. If I am to have future babies, I would love to have Lori with us again. We love you, Lori!  - Heather S., Canby

         Lori's support through the end of pregnancy, during our birthing journey and early postpartum was invaluable! My husband and I cannot imagine doing it all without her. Something that really stood out was how she was able to talk to my husband when things didn't go quite as planned. She helped to bring a sense of peace and acceptance. Lori has years of experience and is a parent herself. Her wisdom was very welcomed by us as first timers. We are grateful for Lori's thoughtful, personalized touches on the whole experience. We highly recommend choosing Lori to be there with you on your birthing journey! - Lindsey M., Milwaukee

       Thank goodness for Lori! I prepared and prepared and prepared for birth, but when the time came, I can't even tell you how helpful and reassuring it was to have Lori on our side. She was amazing. Calm and certain when all the things I learned about birth completely flew out of my head. It was so nice to have someone who knew exactly what I wanted there to be able to take charge and support my husband and I when my focus was else where. Highly recommended. Thank you Lori!!  -Lindsey C., West Linn

        In short, Lori was exceptional.  We are so, so glad we worked with her for the birth of our first child.  As first time parents and new to the Portland area, Lori provided essential, evidence-based answers and guidance to all of our questions and anticipated what we needed to know but didn't know to ask.  She is extremely knowledgeable, responsive, and kind.  She helped us further articulate our birth plan, provided insight and resources when we weren't sure what questions to ask the doctors (steering clear of providing any medical recommendations, as that was outside her lane), and was extremely comforting throughout the birth.  I recommend Lori whole heartedly and unconditionally.  - Jaime O., Portland, Oregon

        We had a wonderful birthing experience with Lori by our side.  Lori brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in a nonjudgmental warm approach.  She was able to support my husband and me during the labor process of my third baby but first attempt of a natural delivery by giving us suggestions on positions and guiding me through contractions with a calm and encouraging presence.  She heard my need to move onto something else as contractions intensified and gave us the space to make decisions that we felt comfortable with.  I wouldn't change a thing about my labor experience despite it ending in a cesarean after a long labor.  I'm proud of what I accomplished and don't feel like I would have been as strong or confident without Lori a part of my team.  She was invaluable to my husband and me.  We cannot thank her enough for her guidance, care and support of our family as we brought our son into this world.  - Tatiana S., Gervais, Oregon

      Lori supported us and gave us a TON of resources to help prepare me for my ideal birth. She knows the research and always gave us evidence based recommendations. My labor was hard, and I would not have been able to cope as I did without her support and expert knowledge. I absolutely recommend her to anyone looking for a doula!  - Estany C., Beaverton, Oregon

       Lori is such an amazing doula. She made my prenatal, birth, and post partum experience that much better. She was so informative, kind and helpful. She was the best advocate and support in the hospital. Even helping my husband support me better. I am so thankful she was there during labor.                      - Clover T., Beaverton, Oregon

       I honestly cannot imagine my birth without Lori. She brought so much knowledge, kindness, and support to my prenatal, birth, and postpartum experience. She is someone you can count on to keep your head in the game but while always keeping in mind your goals and interests. My birth didn’t exactly go as planned (who’s does? Lol), but she rolled with the punches and was so supportive of every decision I made while making sure I was informed of my options at each step.   - Alexandra H., Portland, Oregon

       Lori is an amazing doula!  She was very available to me throughout my pregnancy, in addition to being there during my labor.  She was available via text for any questions I had about the pregnancy symptoms I was experiencing.  She also did two prenatal and two postnatal in-home visits with my husband and I, which were very helpful! During the second in-home prenatal visit, she helped me try different labor positions to find out which ones would work for me, as I have a physical disability and wasn't sure which positions would be possible for me. She was also wonderful throughout my long labor. She was excellent at supporting both me and my husband. Even though my birth experience ended in a c-section due to my physical disability, Lori still helped me to advocate for myself, and I had a wonderful and gentle caesarean birth.  - Kaylee V., Vancouver, Washington

         To be honest, I didn't really know the full role of a Doula and knew next to nothing about having a baby.  The labor experiences that I had with each of my kids were so different but the one rock I had with both was Lori.  My husband was there but he was in my boat of not knowing what was usual or unusual.  Lori was emotional support to both of us, explained things to us before and during, and gave suggestions while also listening to my feedback on what I needed at the moment.  She was knowledgeable, patient, honest, and so kind, and gentle.  I highly recommend her services for the amazing care you will receive.   - Heather P., Newberg, Oregon

        I cannot recommend Lori strongly enough! Words cannot describe how grateful I am to her for helping me have 2 healthy birth experiences. With my first pregnancy, Lori helped me through child birth classes and was present during my first child’s delivery. We had hopped for a natural labor. Due to the complication that labor can bring this delivery ended up turning into an emergency c-section. While I was heartbroken I couldn’t physically continue naturally, Lori made sure that all my requests and interventions had happened to the fullest extent.  Lori was intuitive with when to be present and involved, as well as when to step back and allow the intensity of labor flow. She gave my husband much needed breaks during this 22 hour labor. With my second pregnancy 4 years later, I knew I had much work to do. I needed to process the trauma of the previous birth, and Lori helped me tremendously in that journey. Lori is extremely knowledgeable and resourceful! I found the wealth of resources she shared extremely helpful. From positions, self talk, massage and breathing, I felt so supported the whole time. During labor, she transformed the labor and delivery room. She made us feel calm, safe, strong, and supported the whole time. Thanks to her we welcomed our second son in a VBAC delivery--it was such a beautiful, healing, and emotional experience for both my husband and me. As I said earlier, I cannot recommend her strongly enough; she's simply amazing.  - Kaitlin K., Canby, Oregon

        You will not find a doula better than Lori!  She is calm, wise, nurturing, and extremely knowledgeable.  She walked with me through two challenging pregnancies and two very different births. She was my rock and I am so grateful she was by my side. Throughout both pregnancies, the birth of my children, and after, Lori has guided me with loving kindness and become a treasured friend. Give yourself the gift of Lori! ?? -Juliana A., Wilsonville, Oregon

        One of the most momentous moments in my life was shrouded in anxiety and overwhelming fear. A pregnancy that had its nuances from the very beginning was navigated through more easily while I had Lori by my side. From the outset, she helped develop a plan with my medical team for what was expected to be a complicated delivery. Though a planned c-section, the doctors did not know how things would unfold given my circumstances nor did they know how the pregnancy would play out. Whenever the fear of what could happen during the pregnancy and the looming delivery date overcame me (7 months of worries), I leaned into Lori's knowledge and comfort throughout the pregnancy. On the day of the delivery, Lori's established plan with the medical team to accompany me into the operating room was put into place. I thank God for her presence as I navigated through some difficulties during the surgery. Lori knew the right times to come to my bedside. She seamlessly provided support without interfering with the medical team. While I recovered (unbeknownst to my husband, I was safe and recovering), Lori advocated for communication from the nursing team to my husband about my status. It was Lori who held my baby in her arms and loved on her since I couldn't. It was Lori who supported my husband through what he describes as one of the hardest moments in his life, (one which he said he could never go through again). It is Lori, who my daughter lovingly refers to as a second mom 13 years later. Lori was relatable, experienced, and considerate. She made an otherwise difficult experience easier to navigate for all members of my family. - Melinda A., Wilsonville, Oregon

        Lori was so helpful to me during my daughter's birth! She was encouraging and also advocated for my needs with the nurses. She saw me through a birth without an epidural!  She was right by my side the whole time, giving words of affirmation and kindness! I was so happy to have her there at the birth of my daughter.  -Jill C., Wilsonville, Oregon