“Brenda is absolutely incredible. We took Brenda’s Lamaze classes in the weeks leading up to the birth of our daughter. I am a labor and delivery nurse, and even with my own knowledge, having Brenda guidance through how to process the journey together and intimately was amazing and so incredibly helpful for my husband and I. Brenda truly embodies this work and it is so evident in how she teaches and shares with the upmost love, passion, respect and professionalism.”
— Lily & Jonah

Not sure what to expect with our online childbirth classes?

Here’s the tip of the iceberg:

  • Calm your worries with early labor recognition, what it feels like and how to not sweat the small stuff!

  • What ACTIVE labor is and what signs you should be paying attention to

  • Feel prepared with a birth plan that you and your partner create together

  • Help your partner grow into your support system to help take care of you.

  • Mental positivity and internal practices for a confident birth

  • Your partner will be a support system rockstar with massage options, pressure point knowledge, progression technique for labor and breastfeeding support.

  • Invaluable breastfeeding approach and support

  • How to reduce stress and chaos with visitors through the promotion of a calm and comfy nest

  • Ways to encourage less crying and MORE sleeping

I’ll be your trusted guide as you let me know your very special wishes about the way you’d like to birth your baby. You’ll feel more excited and happy as you anticipate observing how your body works and has been working to bring you to this very special Birth Day!

 

Certified Birth & Postpartum Doula DONA International
Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator
Fellow of the Academy of Childbirth Educators

 

I've been working as a doula since 1992, one year after the birth of my first son. I officially trained and certified in 1999 after my second birth, my VBAC. I began midwifery school in 2003 and became a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator in 2006. Since then I've trained hundreds of birth and postpartum doulas, started the very first doula agency in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, offering a more thorough, complete training with an apprenticeship.

About my credentials: I'm a Certified Birth & Postpartum Doula through DONA International, an Accredited Infant Massage Instructor, a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator and a Fellow of the Academy of Certified Childbirth Educators. I proudly served on the Board of Directors for Lamaze International.

 
Certified Birth Doula Certificate
Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator Certificate
Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator Logo
 
 

DID YOU KNOW: The Lamaze childbirth education certification is the only childbirth educator program that has passed the rigorous standards set by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies? Brenda has been a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator since 2006 and has a dynamic class presence to engage with you in any forum. Learn more about what each class offers. Ready to register? Click below!

 
 
 

Insurance Reimbursement

Lamaze International encourages you to submit this form to your insurance company for reimbursement for your childbirth and lactation education classes. Many insurance companies offer at least partial, if not full coverage for classes. If your insurance company does not, we suggest you write a letter detailing how important your classes were to your birth experience. You may even request that your care provider write a brief note about the importance of meaningful childbirth or lactation education – a “prescription” of sorts.

How to submit a claim:

1. Call the customer service number on the back of your insurance card. They can tell you if you have coverage for childbirth or lactation education and how they prefer that you submit the claim.

2. If any additional documentation is needed from your educator (i.e., class description or a more detailed billing), please contact your educator directly for the additional information.

3. Attach your own insurance carrier’s claim form with a copy of this completed Insurance Form.

Lamaze childbirth education classes are also an acceptable healthcare expense that is covered by flexible spending accounts benefits offering you pre-tax savings on the cost of classes.

 

Benefits of Our
LIVE Online Lamaze Classes:

  • Easily digestible sessions - three hours each

  • Learn and practice in the comfort of your own home, likely the place that you’ll ACTUALLY be IN during the early and early active parts of labor

  • One on one instruction for your labor partner to get real time direction from a very experienced Doula, We’ll help them really get the hang of things!

  • Flexible schedule options with daytime, weekday, and weekend options available

  • Pre-class work to prepare you for our live sessions

  • Post-class homework and reminders to solidify what you’ve learned

  • Perfect for busy or traveling couples

  • Pre-recorded options available for a “learn at your own pace” experience

  • Packages available to help save money

 
 
 

Our Lamaze Class Breakdown:

  • Lamaze 1 - Pregnancy & Labor

    • A little chemistry, anatomy, physiology, pelvis curriculum to show you how things work and fit and then describe how early labor looks and feels and ways to cope.

      Virtual Instructor Led

      • Mondays, 6:00 – 9:00pm PST

      • March 4⋅ April 29⋅ July 1⋅ Sept 2⋅ Oct 28

        Live Classroom

      • Saturday, 9:00am-12:00pm

      • Feb 3⋅ April 13⋅ June 8⋅ Aug 10⋅ Oct 12⋅ Nov 30

  • Lamaze 2 - Birth & Postpartum - reduce fear, increase joy

    • Signs & Stages of Labor are described, helping you know the difference between just warming up and The Real Deal! Labor at home longer with confidence.

      Virtual Instructor Led

      • Mondays, 6:00 – 9:00pm PST

      • March 11⋅ May 6⋅ July 8⋅ Sept 2⋅ Nov 4

      Live Classroom

      • Saturday, 1:00-4:00pm

      • Feb 3⋅ April 13⋅ June 8⋅ Aug 10⋅ Oct 12⋅ Nov 30

  • Natural Comfort Measures - balance, breathing and relaxation

    • You will learn positive internal practices to help you prepare mentally and your partner will learn comfort techniques. Stretches & positions to reduce pain and time in labor.

      Virtual Instructor Led

      • 6:00 – 9:00pm PST

      • Jan 16⋅ March 12⋅ May 14⋅ July 29⋅ Sept 30⋅ Nov 12

      Live Classroom

      • 6:00 – 9:00pm PST

      • Feb 26⋅ April 22⋅ June 24⋅ Aug 26⋅ Nov 12⋅ Dec 16

  • Breastfeeding - for the whole family

    • We teach your partner how breastfeeding works so that you can flourish as a new feeder!

      Virtual Instructor Led

      • 6:00 – 9:00pm PST

      • Jan 29⋅ March 25⋅ May 20⋅ July 22⋅ Sept 23⋅ Nov 25

      Live Classroom

      • 6:00 – 9:00pm PST

      • Feb 12⋅ April 15⋅ June 10⋅ Aug 19⋅ Oct 21⋅ Dec 9

  • Newborn Care, calming, and massage techniques

    • They don't come with instruction manuals, but we'll help you navigate through those first few weeks with ease: safe sleep guidelines, SIDS prevention, swaddling techniques, and tips to soothe crying and help your baby sleep.

      Virtual Instructor Led

      • 6:00 – 9:00pm PST

      • Jan 22⋅ March 18⋅ May 13⋅ July 15⋅ Sept 16⋅ Nov 18

      Live Classroom

      • 6:00 – 9:00pm PST

      • Feb 5⋅ April 8⋅ June 17⋅ Aug 12⋅ Oct 7⋅ Dec 2

 
Testimonial for an online birth class and virtual doula services with Brenda
Makenzie & her baby girl

Makenzie & her baby girl

“We got to meet Brenda through the online Lamaze trio class in preparation for our firstborn! I found Brenda’s website amidst countless other Doula/Lamaze websites and truly believe her practice and services have the best to offer. Brenda was personable, kind, informative, trustworthy, and talked to you like you’ve known her for years. She put the knowledge in our hands and really wanted us to succeed! Her evidence based practice MAKES SENSE and has made us even more excited for the birth process! ”
— Makenzie W.
New father holding his newborn daughter
“I love working with Brenda! She is so knowledgable and kind, helping me build up the info I need to have a healthy birth and also answering questions with kindness, understanding, and humor. I recommend her Lamaze classes to anyone expecting a baby!”
— Caitlyn W.
Melissa sitting on toilet while in labor and giving birth
“As a labor and delivery nurse, doula, and pregnant new momma, my husband and I went to Brenda’s class because I knew that she would help fill my husband in on what to expect during labor and delivery and also help educate me on tips and tricks that I didn’t know. Plus, it feels good to be an active participant in preparing for birth from a new perspective- as the mom rather than the RN or doula. Brenda has been a doula for 27 years and has more certifications than I honestly knew existed; she is the original, the OG, the birth God Mother, that can help educate you to feel confident in your choices and prepare for the birthday. Her method covers all types of learning styles and keeps participants engaged. She is cheerful, excited, and a wealth of knowledge with experience in home birth, birth centers, and hospital birth.”
— Melissa M.
Melissa holding her newborn in bathtub after giving birth
“We used Brenda as our doula for our first baby. She taught our hospital classes and we just instantly liked her. My husband who was very skeptical about using a doula was sold when he met her. Besides her 30 + years of experience. She has a calming presence that and will give you confidence that you can do this. She walked with us through the entire process leading up to the birth each week. I ended up having a challenging labor that would have been a lot more scary for us if we didn’t have her by my side guiding us. As my husband says she was the best money we spent this entire process. Her postpartum visit literally saved our sanity and sleep as we were following some bad advice from a lactation consultant. After following Brenda’s advice our baby started sleeping 5 hours straight at night, and gaining weight properly. I’m forever indebted to her for being such an incredible resource and guide through this journey to becoming a mother. If you are fortunate to get the oppurtunity to have Brenda as your doula consider youself the luckiest woman! I hands down recommend her, her online tutorials, and post partum care. ”
— Ellie & Peter A.
happy mom and dad holding newborn in hospital bed about child birth
“Lamaze classes were amazing. Brenda is very knowledgeable and had a great personality that made the classes very enjoyable for a full three and a half hours! We learned many significant aspects of birthing, and most important the awareness that it is a natural process. This makes us feel more comfortable, less anxious about delivery. We also like the doula community; we hired one after taking this class. They are very caring. Thanks so much.”
— Tatiana A.
Happy mom and dad with newborn baby
“Brenda was extremely helpful with my lactation journey. We booked her for an in-home session as well as shorter virtual sessions. She was supportive of all my choices and we just love her energy! She’s a wealth of information, so you can’t go wrong with hiring her.”
— Catherine S.
“This class is so educational and empowering as a first time parent. Brenda is awesome at making everyone feel comfortable and very knowledgeable. Highly recommend!!”
— Katie B.
Black and white photo of happy mom and dad with newborn
“Brenda was just the right amount of informative and entertaining! I left the class feeling empowered to make choices that will be right for me and my birth experience. First time mamas, do yourself a favor and enroll in ALL of the Healthy Birth classes!”
— Angela F.
“Thorough childbirth education geared towards those hoping for natural childbirth. Comfortable learning environment with very enthusiastic & knowledgeable instructor! Recommend to any first-time parent.”
— Britt B.
“I could not be more pleased with the Lamaze Healthy Birth Classes my husband and I took ... Brenda, is outstanding and enthusiastic. She is knowledgeable and presents information in a judgement-free/fact-based manner, enabling attendees to make choices about their birth experiences that best suit their needs. [She] has taken us from feeling nervous about our upcoming birth experience to feeling prepared and well supported. I can’t recommend their services enough!”
— Abi J.
Happy family with in hospital bed after child birth
 
silhouette of pregnant women

LIVE or Virtual Instructor-Led
Lamaze Birth Classes

Brenda offers both live and pre-recorded birthing classes. Live classes are conducted live and online where you can connect directly with Brenda. Do you like learning at your own pace? Pre-recorded classes are for you! Each class also offers a complimentary 1:1 call with Brenda for any of your burning questions.

baby breastfeeding after breastfeeding consultation

Breastfeeding Consultation

In-home or private virtual consultations are available. Poor latch? Sore nipples?This consult includes the development of a care plan designed to meet your personal breastfeeding goals. Get pricing, scheduling and learn more about your options below.

birth doula and postpartum doula helping woman while in labor

Birth & Postpartum Doula Services

Serving the Portland, OR area in person and virtually across the U.S., birth and postpartum services are available for all! In-person or online, Brenda has helped hundreds of expecting partners prepare for the big day as well as support them through their 4th Trimester. Learn more about the difference between the two

 

Let’s Connect!

Please complete the form below OR call/text Brenda at 817-67Doula (817-673-6852) with any questions you may have about her services.

 

Let’s Stay Connected:

@lamazehealthybirthclass

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