Read more about doulas and how to find your doula

Benefits of a Doula (in birth & postpartum) – evidence for doula care supporting birthing and postpartum families

Dads and Doulas: Myths & Resources – addresses some common questions that birth partners (focused here on dads) might have about inviting a doula into the birth space

Top 6 Reasons to Have a Doula at Your Home or Birth Center Birth – Written by a midwife – doulas might have gone by other names, but have always been a part of birthing

Childbirth education – resources and courses

I’m excited to offer Birth Essentials – a comprehensive 6 week childbirth and postpartum series – plus other special topics and private birth and postpartum preparation. Check out Classes for more information.

There are lots of great resources for information and education in Missoula and online, here are a few –

Birth Rights – a resource for everyday people to defend human rights in labor and birth, from the Birth Rights Bar Association and Pregnancy Justice

Birth Stories in Color – a podcast for Black, Indigenous, Asian, Latino, and Multiracial individuals to share their birthing experiences and find community in stories

Center for Indigenous Midwifery – childbirth preparation workshops, support groups, and zoomcasts by and for indigenous birthkeepers and families, “Strengthening indigenous communities by honoring & reclaiming Indigenous midwifery care & family support.”

Childbirth Connection – online resource for evidence-based pregnancy and childbirth information

Community Medical Center – Offers patients access to online prenatal classes

Missoula County Health Services – Birthing Basics, Breastfeeding preparation, and postpartum/newborn care courses, free to the community

Missoula Hypnotherapy –  Hypnobirthing techniques for pregnancy and birth

Nursing Nook – Preparation for Successful Breastfeeding classes, plus infant, child, and adult CPR

Providence-St. Patrick Hospital – 6-week or 1-day Childbirth Preparation, plus newborn care, breastfeeding preparation, infant massage, infant safety, and a grandparent’s class

VBAC Education Project – resource and a course for information, decision-making and support around birthing after cesarean, VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) and repeat cesarean

Support for families

Why do new parents need support? This is a great TED talk about your development as a tender new parent: Alexandra Sacks – A New Way to Think About the Transition to Motherhood (TED talk) 

Missoula Baby Bistro – parent-baby support group for the ins-and-outs of nourishing your baby. Support and advice around breastfeeding, milk production, pumping, and more – Tuesdays 10-11:30 am, Missoula Food Bank Learning Kitchen.

Providence-St. Patrick Hospital – weekly support group for new parents, free and open to the public – meets on Zoom, Tuesdays at 11:30am.

Postpartum Support International – information about mood and emotional challenges in pregnancy and new parenting, offers online support groups (in English and Spanish), a warmline, phone chats with an expert, and information about local mental health support around pregnancy and birth in Western Montana.

Riverbanks Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support – community based peer support for families who have experienced all types of loss from pregnancy through infancy, with regular meetings in Missoula.

Return to Zero – national organization offering closed support groups and webinars, plus information and resources for families experiencing pregnancy and infant loss.