Meet Charissa
Postpartum Doula, Birth doula, IBCLc, THW
A lover of all things birth and early recovery, Charissa offers postpartum support both as a doula and IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) and loves working with families welcome their tiny humans into their family. Her internship at Legacy Good Sam helped her see how precious—and sometimes anxious—those early days and weeks can be, and she loves to create a comforting place for families to rest and be nurtured while answering questions about newborn needs. She especially enjoys getting to help families navigate breastfeeding and pumping in the early weeks as she knows the challenges those can be to establish.
More About Charissa
Charissa has been a Birth doula for the past 4 years, and has completed cultural competency as well as trauma informed care. She is also a board certified lactation consultant and a CAPPA trained postpartum doula. She has supported families as a labor doula for the past 3 years with the Legacy doula program, and loves to support new fresh families straight after birth and through the first couple days in the hospital, as well as the first several months at home.
While learning about lactation involves the whole process of pregnancy changes, early postpartum changes, and longer term milk supply and infant problem solving, Charissa is also passionate about helping parents to achieve their unique feeding goals.
She has experience working with clients with postpartum depression and anxiety as well as high need babies and has supported families in a myriad of different ways in her professional care. She loves to offer nurturing care knowing the difference it can make for the tender postpartum parents she serves. One thing she sees frequently is the terrified looks in the eyes of the new mothers when get discharged from the hospital with their babies, and she loves to be able to be the one to answer the call when a new parent goes home and feels so isolated and alone, especially after a scary NICU stay.
Clients tell me Charissa is a gem with their pets, is outgoing and personable, and they love her lactation skills! Especially in their early postpartum time when parents have to struggle with breastfeeding or triple feeding. She is a routine oriented person who loves babies and being a helper, and this is a good fit for many of our new parents.
Here are some of the trainings and certifications that Charissa has completed:
CAPPA Postpartum Doula
DONA Birth Doula
IBCLC
Traditional Health Worker
Cultural competency
Trauma informed care
CPR & First Aid certified
Charissa is a great fit if you are looking for a regular daytime or occasional overnight doula, help with a fussy baby, or creating calm in the chaos. Charissa resides in Gresham, so loves to serve clients all over the metro area, including Sandy, Troutdale, Milwaukie, Clackamas and Lake Oswego.
She loves to support new fresh families straight away after birth and through the first couple days in the hospital, as well the first several weeks at home. When she comes to serve, she is ready for anything from baby holding to sibling care, pet care, laundry, dishes, organizing, and being a shoulder to lean on. She knows ideals can sometimes go out the window quickly with a new tiny human, and she loves to help parents come up with the ways that work best for them as they feed their babies with so much love.
When not helping new families thrive, Charissa loves to create art, take walks, and try out new local food options. She also loves a good podcast while loving on her foster kitties. She looks forward to meeting you and helping you with your tiny new humans, as well as your journey to postpartum wellness.