Rauna Otteson, Portland Doula

“If you are looking for a warm, compassionate, and non-judgmental doula, then Rauna is the right choice for you. Late in my pregnancy, I had a number of challenges: possible high blood pressure and the need for induction, the death of my mother-in-law from cancer, and our older child started showing signs of autism. Rauna provided my husband and me with emotional support through text and email to cope during those challenging weeks. During labor, she knew exactly how to support my husband and me. She was calm and compassionate but also politely assertive when needed. While I needed an induction, I was able to avoid an epidural thanks to her support.  We also had some challenges in the postpartum period, and Rauna was able to step in and provide postpartum doula care for our family. When she came to our house, she would survey the situation and jump into action. Often times she seemed to know what I needed more than I knew myself: she’s very flexible and could switch from caring for the baby or our older daughter to folding laundry and helping the newborn photographer. We give Rauna our highest recommendation as a birth and postpartum doula and if we decided to have a third child, we would immediately get on her calendar.”

Anne, Tigard

“Rauna was a crucial and instrumental part of our postpartum period with our son. She helped us get through some of the roughest weeks as new parents. Not only giving us respite for sleep, she encouraged us, reassured us, and brought an overall calming vibe to our chaotic, sleep deprived home! Rauna was not only gentle and sweet with our son, but us too! I looked forward to seeing her and she would give me a smile that would make me feel like it was all gonna get better. We are eternally grateful for Rauna and all of the help and guidance she has given us along the way!”

Whitney, NE Portland

“There are not enough words to describe how amazing Rauna has been! I had multiple complications after delivery and Rauna has not only helped me through it all, but helped take care of our daughter. She has been amazing in every aspect and we could not have come this far without her. She has become a part of our family and we wish we could us her forever. Rauna is very reliable, calm, supportive, and I love how she helps us without us having to ask. For example, when I was taking a nap, I woke up to find the kitchen cleaned, dishes put away, and laundry done and folded. It was amazing that she did all of this for us and it made me feel more relieved by not having to do it myself. Rauna also helped us with various transitions with our daughter such as transitioning from the bassinet to the crib, lengthening time between feedings, and she has given us tons of helpful advice as our daughter has grown. We really owe everything to her and if we decide to grow our family in the future, Rauna will be there every step of the way!”

Allison, West Hills

“My husband and I had the pleasure of working with Rauna for the birth of our first child in 2016 (and twins later). From the very first meeting, we knew we had made a match with a professional that would provide us support in a flexible, nurturing, re-assuring, and informative way. As we continued to work together over the months leading up to the birth and in the delivery room, our experience and relationship proved to be all that we could hope for and more. Rauna’s approach can be described as warm, nurturing, confident, and flexible. She was someone who helped me to meet my intentions for the birth process, while knowing I could change my mind and trust my intuition without concern that ‘we had agreed to a plan.’ Rauna made herself available to us for questions throughout the pregnancy and anticipated questions/resources we would benefit from discussing. When it came time for our son’s birth, Rauna successfully coached my husband and myself throughout all the stages and was our constant. Her support, encouragement, and calm from start through the unexpected made for a birth experience that we look back on with fond memories and utter joy. Since the birth, she has continued to be a resource and source of encouragement. All in all, we give Rauna our highest recommendation because she joined our family’s experience seamlessly and with such positive energy. This includes how she interacted with our one-year-old, large breed, puppy, which was important knowing we would be laboring at our house for some portion and wanted an individual who would be able to slip into our setting.”

Kelli, North Portland

“My husband and I were blessed to have Rauna as our doula for our second pregnancy and the birth of our second child. She took time to get to know our family and our goals for our little girl’s birth. As we shared, Rauna demonstrated all the traits we knew we needed a doula to have for our delivery: knowledge, caring, patience, humor, and empowerment. And when labor began, Rauna exceeded our expectations. As I labored, Rauna assumed her duties with a caring and calm presence that helped us through. She was a great coach and advocate for both me and my husband.”

Colleen, Sunnyside

“Rauna is AMAZING!!!! I cannot recommend her enough! My husband and I both had the stomach flu prior to delivery. I was hospitalized for fluids twice before my actual delivery. My husband was sick the day my water broke, but still managed to get us to the hospital. Once we got there, he collapsed on the chair and I would’ve been in dire straights without Rauna. She took such good care of me. I was not at my strongest due to the flu and she was my rock. She walked the halls with me, encouraged me, reinforced my wishes for a natural delivery without intervention, was extremely cordial and friendly with all the hospital staff, gave me a variety of birthing positions I had never tried before with my two other deliveries, kept up the conversation when I really needed someone to talk to me (husband was comatose on the chair…LOL!), massaged my back, spoke gently and calmly even when I was a beast (natural delivery even the third time around is no joke!) and did everything I need her to do. She is a true professional and nothing ruffled her feathers. Whenever I think of Rauna, I just get a warm feeling. She is someone I will never forget, and we owe her so much. I truly cannot recommend her enough.”

Jennifer, Camas, WA

“Rauna is so perfect! She’s kind, informative, a great listener, gentle, encouraging, and so much more. We met with Rauna twice before giving birth, and she offered us so much information about what to expect and how she’ll be our advocate. She was patient and enthusiastic about answering all of our questions. At the hospital, Rauna helped me change positions every hour or so, helped me walk the hall, and showed me how to adjust the bed and use a yoga ball. She supported my husband as much as she supported me, offering him advice and giving him breaks. Even when I threw up, she got so excited, saying that meant it was almost time to push! More than anything, I appreciated Rauna’s touch; she held my hand or just leaned on my leg, it was so so comforting! She was endless in giving me words of encouragement and affirming that I was doing a great job. Yet when it came time to push, she was firm and direct, exactly what I needed. My husband and I really wanted a natural birth, and couldn’t have done it without Rauna, without a doubt. She visited my home a week or so postpartum, just to check in and answer questions. She said that the hospital staff said I made it all look easy, and she made me feel like a rock star! Thanks, Ruana! You’re amazing!!!”

Helena, St. Johns

“My husband and I hired Rauna after interviewing several other doulas. We wanted someone to join us at our hospital birth who would help us have an unmedicated, natural childbirth. I had wanted to give birth at a birthing center, but couldn’t due to financial limitations. Having Rauna join us at the hospital and prepare with us beforehand, definitely helped us feel like our birthing experience was as comfortable as we had hoped. Rauna is calm and reassuring. She was supportive of our choices and informed about birthing options. Rauna knew just how to reassure my husband during our birthing time with ideas about how he could support me. They tag teamed giving me hip squeezes during the last stage of labor (its hard work and I know my husband needed her support!) She hardly ever left my side during our birthing time and reminded my husband to eat, drink and take breaks when he needed to. After every contraction, she gave me a sip of water even though I didn’t know I needed it. It reminded me I wasn’t alone and was a welcome refreshment. It was such a relief to have her present with us the whole time since she knew so much about how to help me through. I ended up delivering our baby without any pain medication, thanks to the support of Rauna and husband, the amazing nursing staff at St. Vincent’s hospital, and God’s grace! Thank you Ruana for participating in our birthing experience. We would highly recommend Rauna to anyone looking for a supportive, informed, reassuring doula to journey with them through their birthing time.”

Susanna, Beaverton

“Having a doula for the birth of my first baby girl was essential. I was considered high risk and had to deliver at OHSU, instead of in my hometown 5 hours away. I knew that anyone could be delivering my baby, so I needed a familiar face with me through the birthing process. After meeting Rauna, I knew she was the one. She has a calm, soothing demeanor. I knew she could help me in any way possible. I didn’t know what to expect, and fear of the unknown was the scariest part. Rauna was always there to answer any of my questions, even on Christmas day when my water broke 2 weeks early!! With the help of hypnobirthing and meditation, I was able to handle the intense contractions due to induction with Pitocin and no epidural. Rauna was encouraging and helpful with suggestions to get me through. I was exhausted. At 9 cm dilated, I felt like I couldn’t go any further, but Rauna got me through that last hour! I couldn’t have done it without her and my husband of course! I highly recommend Rauna to have by your side during this amazing journey!”

Melissa, Southern OR