N. Alexis Gamble: An experienced hospital doula with Portland Midwifery and Doula Care.
Please check in with my Updates and News, below, for information on classes I teach at the Center!
Planning Your Successful VBAC in Portland OR
Portland MamaBaby Center
Classes Start in July!
http://portlandmamababycenter.com/2012/05/09/planning-your-vbac-a-class-for-women-preparing-for-a-vaginal-birth-after-cesarean/
Here is the link to our website and all the information you will need to sign up! I am looking forward to meeting lots of fellow VBAC Mamas!!
As a Labor and Postpartum Doula, I feel the birth journey is one of the great adventures in life! It is a tremendous event for women, partners, and family. Because this time is so very special, it is my hope for women to give birth just as they want, even if the unexpected happens. I believe Mamas are the guides for her health care providers and supporters. In most cases, she knows what is best for her body and child. It is an honor to be a part of, and support mamas and families in unique, beautiful birth experiences. I love having the opportunity to aid families after the birth of their little joy (or joys!).
I have a background in Nursing and Social Work. I am also a Certified Natural Health Educator, and Addiction Specialist. I draw from my experience and education to guide expecting mothers and partners in making their own informed decisions. I primarily work with hospital births and am very comfortable in doing so. Because I am so familiar with how it “all works”, I make sure to be thorough in educating mamas about what to expect, guidance in producing comprehensive birth plans and how to communicate, confidently, with the staff. I support women with any kind of pregnancy. However, I do specialize in:
- VBAC births: I have gone through numerous journeys with amazing women who chose to give birth naturally instead of undergoing a repeat Cesarean birth.
- For expecting mamas in recovery from addiction, I support and advocate for natural births as well as peace and serenity postpartum. I have had the pleasure of working with many brave, outstanding women whom are dedicated to ensure that their gift of sobriety is not compromised.
Updates and News
VBAC Workshops/Classes/Support Groups
I am in the busy process of putting together unique outlines for VBAC support and education! A lot depends on mama’ needs but I would like to offer individual day or evening workshops, a class series and support groups. As a fellow VBAC mama I am excited to meet mamas who are planning to give birth naturally!
- Giving each mama a chance to speak and share her story about her previous C-Section.
- Discussing, in detail, the most common interventions, what they are, what they do and what they may lead to.
- Ways to prepare for a VBAC throughout pregnancy and labor.
- Building solid birth plans, including a “Plan B” plan in case a repeat surgery is needed.
- Teaching “Hospitalease” or medical terminology you may hear and what it means as well as going over common medications.
- Talking about getting that “Green Light” from your Practitioner giving the go ahead to try for a VBAC and what they base their decisions on.
So that is what I have so far. But these classes are for all of you! Therefor I want to know what your needs are. Feedback would be most appreciated! I am planning to begin teaching by the end of April. Stay tuned for class registration and fees! Thank you and I hope to hear your ideas!
How to Have a Natural Hospital Birth
This is a workshop for mams who are on their first pregnancy or their fifth! VBAC mamas are also encouraged! Here are some of the ideas I have, so far, for this kind of class. This class stands on its own; there are not any classes like this offered in Portland. It will be different than a Child Birth Education Class. My goal for this workshop is for mamas to leave with an outline of a birth plan that inspires confidence and empowerment toward their upcoming birth. to have a better understanding about hospital protocol. But most important: to have the knowledge to communicate, effectively, their needs to their care providers and hospital staff so that a Natural Birth Experience will not just be a goal but a plan!
- I would like for mamas to be able to discuss and share their previous births with the group.
- I plan to teach common medical terms used in the hospital in Labor and Delivery.
- I also plan to educate mamas on interventions; their purpose, the administration and how they effect the body.
- I want the group to be able to learn from one another and begin writing, editing, or sharing their birth plans.
- I feel it is important to discuss communication with Practitioners and hospital staff from an educated standpoint.
The MamaBaby Center!
I was recently offered a job with Portland Midwifery and Doula Care! Kate Donahue, the owner, midwife assistant and doula, is in the busy process of opening a MamaBaby Center for mamas, women, babies, and families. It is a beautiful, serene space in which mamas may meet with doulas and midwives, check out books from our large lending library, take classes, workshops, join groups, hold baby showers…and the list goes on! I am beyond thrilled and excited to have the opportunity to be a part of something so special! What is my role in all of this? Tia Rich is our Resident Midwife . Tia is a fantastic Midwife and also does placenta encapsulation! One of the three doulas, I am the “Hospital Doula” of the group! That does not mean that home births are off limits at all. I feel my services are better suited in hospital settings. I know the language of medicine and understand interventions on a medical level. I have supported many mamas, whom have had wonderful experiences in hospitals. I also will be teaching classes on subjects such as VBAC’s and natural hospital births. Kate, Tia, and myself all have medical backgrounds, which is one of the many reasons our center is unique!
Our doors will be open on March 1, 2012! Please stop in and say hello, if you are in the neighborhood! Our MamaBaby Center is located in the heart of the Woodstock district at: 5528 SE Woodstock Blvd. Portland, OR 97222.
