Brooke Noli, Portland Doula

Brooke Noli, Portland Doula

Since becoming a certified doula back in 1999, I’ve been honored to support over 600 families on their childbirth journeys and find immense joy in the special connection created in the doula relationship. I’ve worked in all the local hospitals and birth centers, been to dozens of home births, supported a wide range of birth experiences, and trained and mentored new doulas for over a decade. I first began my journey into birth work when I agreed to be the primary labor support for one of my dearest friends from college, that was a life-changing experience for me. Within months, I enrolled in a doula training course and after a year of attending births as a doula, I applied to the midwifery program at Birthingway College and proceeded to complete three years of midwifery training and apprenticeship. As much as I love midwifery, as I neared the end of my training, it became increasingly clear to me that I was missing the unique role of support and connection that only a doula can offer. After much soul searching, I decided to return to my doula practice which felt like a sort of homecoming, like a return to myself, like the place I was always meant to be. I have happily and wholeheartedly supported clients as a doula ever since.

I can say with confidence that birth has been one of the great teachers of my life. It has instructed me on patience, on compassion, on being with the unknown. It has demonstrated over and over again how genuine respect, kind words, and a reassuring touch can make all the difference. Birth has revealed to me the wild force of life inherent in all things. It has taught me that every journey is unique and every story meaningful in ways we might not initially understand. It has shown me the magic that is possible in this world, the strength that is needed to let that magic in, and the love that unfolds in its wake.

In addition to my doula work, I’m also a counselor with a small private practice which specializes in working with people during the childbearing years. I love the balance that these two careers bring to my life: some days I am sitting with folks in meaningful conversations devoted to growth and healing, while other days I’m immersed in the excitement and activity of supporting a family as they birth and transform their lives.

In my down time, I love exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest with my wonderful wife and dog, scuba diving in warm waters anywhere, reading and writing poetry, and laughing at whatever silliness I can find.

Training

N

Certified Doula, Birthingway College of Midwifery, 1999

N

Midwifery training and apprenticeship at Birthingway College of Midwifery, 2000-2003

N

Postpartum Doula Workshop at Birthingway College of Midwifery, 2004

N

Certificate in Process Oriented Psychology from the Process Work Institute, 2003-2005

N

MA degree in Marriage & Family Therapy from Northcentral University, 2005-2008

N

Instructor, Trauma Informed Care

N

Instructor, Labor Doula Workshop

N

Instructor, Perinatal Psychology For Birth Workers

N

Birth Beyond The Binary, 12 week course with king yaa

Areas Of Specialty

N

Unmedicated Birth, Out Of Hospital Birth, Water Birth

N

Virtual/Remote Doula Support

N

Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)

N

IVF Pregnancy

N

High Risk Pregnancy/Birth

N

Twins/Multiples

N

Medical Induction

N

LGBTQIA+ Families

N

Polyamorous Families

N

Trauma Informed Care

N

Survivors Of Sexual Abuse

N

Pregnancy or Infant Loss

N

Massage & Spinning Babies

Brooke’s Testimonials

“My wife and I could not have been happier with Brooke and Rebecca as our doulas. They worked seamlessly together and we appreciated their different personalities but coordinated approach. They helped ease our anxieties leading into labor and brought support, guidance and warmth to what ended up being a lengthy labor. Plan on using them again if there is baby number two!”

Sloan & Kate, SW Portland

“I was fortunate enough to attend births with both Brooke and Rebecca as a baby nurse and knew I wanted to hire them even before our interview. As a nurse and doula myself I’m comfortable with the birth process but knew that it was unknown territory for my husband. Brooke and Rebecca did a beautiful job supporting us both. Their calm, reassuring presence was exactly what we needed. Rebecca came to our home to help us through some Spinning Babies maneuvers and to talk through our frustrations. Brooke attended our delivery and was such a soothing presence as contractions hit hard and I pushed out my big, beautiful girl exactly the way I had envisioned. My midwife was so impressed with Brooke that she asked for her card to refer other families and we gladly recommend this fantastic duo to any expectant parents.”

Johanna & Mac, SE Portland

“We feel deeply grateful to have had Rebecca and Brooke by our side through pregnancy and birth. They were unfailingly present with support, guidance, and resources as we prepared for our daughter’s arrival . . . When it came time for our daughter to be born, labor went much faster than we expected. In the midst of that whirlwind, I remember so well the feeling of reassurance and safety I found in Brooke’s presence. She offered just the right words to help me trust in my intuition . . . As I reflect on becoming a parent, I cannot imagine birthing without the support of these two remarkable women. They are truly a gift and I look forward to calling on them again as our family grows.”

Emily & Meg, SE Portland

“My husband and I agree that hiring Rebecca and Brooke as our doulas was the best decision we made during my pregnancy. Rebecca and Brooke are experts in the field, tremendously kind, supportive, accommodating, and skilled. Having successfully guided so many births, nothing surprises them, and the experience and wisdom they are able to impart as a result helped us prepare long before the big day of. The day of our daughter’s birth, Rebecca was on-call, and from start to finish she was amazing. I was able to have the unmedicated birth that I hoped for and cannot imagine having gone through that experience without her support. We know we would have gotten the same love and support from Brooke too had she been on call that day. We can’t recommend these two ladies more highly.”

Meghan & Tim, NE Portland

“We hired Brooke & Rebecca as our labor doulas, and they held my husband and I so tight through our first pregnancy and postpartum care. Their partnership is a very unique model, and they want to provide the best care to a family through their team approach. They went beyond labor prep by providing many referrals and resources to get us set for day one of parenthood. When it came to labor Brooke was on call, and she guided me over the phone to in-person at my home and finally at the hospital. She knew exactly how to soothe and empower me to the finish line. Her coaching was laser focused on top of honoring my birth preferences, advocating for our family from the moment we got to the hospital. After such a wonderful birth, both Brooke and Rebecca continued to support our family through more referrals and emotional support. We plan to hire both Brooke & Rebecca for our next baby!”

Manie & Jan, SE Portland