Giselle Edwards, Portland Doula
I felt the call to become a birth worker to advocate for the highest possible care in hospitals for those whose voices may be excluded from mainstream narratives. My main objective is to be an emotional through line from the start to the end of your birth, a support system I felt was missing in my own children’s unique births. I love working with families, whatever that family looks like, and helping the whole family to make this beautiful transition. I want to hear all of your excitements and concerns, provide you with tools and resources, and help you navigate opportunities to ensure the most positive birth possible.
I was born and raised in the Portland area and then traveled to Illinois for college. After graduation I lived in Montana, NYC, and Los Angeles before winding up back home in the PNW. I was inspired by the power of birth while witnessing a friend’s son enter the world 10 years ago. The act of childbirth is jaw dropping every time. As your doula, I am here to support you so you can fully appreciate the wonder of your own birth story. I’m here to talk it all out, I want to listen to your expectations and help fill in the gaps of the unknown so you can feel empowered entering the hospital. I love working in a hospital setting, where there are so many people and tools to support birth. My goal is to advocate for you in any way I can and explore the options that will give you the most positive birth experience, even if that means finding your voice to say “No.”
Birth can be intimidating (both anticipating it and experiencing it) but I embrace the rawness of birth and want to break it down so everyone can find the perfect moments in that rawness. I always have a smile on my face, I never want to miss anything, and I like to laugh (mostly at myself). I love riding bikes and scooters around the block with my kids, singing show tunes, and telling myself this is the year I will set up my basement ceramic studio.
Partnership Model
Ashley Fryer and I work in a doula partnership because it allows us to show up authentically for our clients and also balance being moms to young children – oh, and we also really like each other! Working with us means bringing on two doulas who are committed to supporting you in your vision for your birth. Our own lived experience has taught us that there are so many ways to bring your baby into the world and you deserve passion, wisdom, and support through all of it. We bring excitement, humor, and a deep understanding of parenthood’s unique joys and challenges – which begin with birth, but certainly don’t end there. Hiring us means two brains and hearts joining your birth team. We’ll both get to know you and your family at prenatal and postpartum visits. While you may only see one of us in the delivery room initially, you’ll have a fresh and rested doula (who you already know) ready to jump in, should your labor journey ask it. We know that a new baby means big changes to your life and identity, both as an individual and as a family, and we’d love to explore those changes with you.
Training
DONA Birth Doula Training with Mother Tree Birth
DONA Postpartum Doula Training with Mother Tree Birth
Intensive 6-Month Internship with Mother Tree Birth
Basics of Lactation Management with Lactation Education Resources
Areas Of Specialty
Unmedicated Birth, Out Of Hospital Birth, Water Birth
Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)
Surrogacy
Adoption
High Risk Pregnancy/Birth
Medical Induction
LGBTQIA+ Families
Body Positive/People Of Size
Postpartum Doula Care
Lactation Support
Trauma Informed Care
Recovery From Addiction
Pregnancy or Infant Loss
Sibling Support (on-call childcare during labor and birth)
Massage
Birth Story Listening
Infant Massage
Baby Sign Language
Babywearing
Cloth Diapering Education
