Heidi Long (she/her)
I have dedicated myself to this line of heartfelt work because I believe that an empowering and beautiful birth is possible with the right support. I understand the unpredictable and wonderfully unique nature of each birth and am honored to guide all my clients with deep listening, specialized care, and a calm presence in order to support the newest beginnings, from pregnancy to postpartum, that will have a ripple effect on the rest of their lives. When supporting families, I love the diversity of family structures here in Portland. I am a Queer Ally & have experience working with alternative family structures ranging from Heteronormative to LGBTQ to Polycentric households.
My Birth Doula style really encompasses supporting movement, massage, & utilizing the voice. I encourage my client’s to dance, sway, & get into their animal bodies. I support these movements while offering loving touch all throughout labor. And when things start to get real, encouraging each birther to use their voice!
Since beginning my practice in 2016, I have continued to grow and strengthen my Birthwork practice — from anchoring the birthing body in a grounded sacred way to nourishing the Fourth Trimester with warm meals and Herbal Pelvic Steam Treatments. I love teaching In-Home Newborn skills so that parents can feel more confident and competent when they come back home. I value giving special attention to partners and/or other family members so that they too can feel empowered to walk gracefully into parenthood and so that the needs of new mother are further cared for and nurtured.
In addition to being a Birth Doula, I have enhanced my practice by offering professional photography for the families I have the honor of supporting! We take a deeper dive together when I can capture the excitement of having a "Baby Bump" with a Maternity Photo Session. Showing up in the raw & wild birth space as a Doula and an artist magnifies my ability to be a better Doula and Photographer for my clients. And when it is time to bring your baby home, I revel in showing my families the LOVE that I see behind my lens for our Newborn & Family Photo Sessions.
Dancing, singing, painting, & being a big goof are big parts of my life. I have been a part of a vivacious dance community here in Portland since 2018, which has fueled my passion for deep healing embodiment practices. I also appreciate the importance of rest, being out in nature, and making authentic connections with those around me. As a Doula, I have a deep respect for the rites of passage mothers and families go through and honor the transitional nature of each process with steady care and gentle reverence.
Heidi’s Qualifications
Educated and familiar with the Childbirth Education course: Bradley Method
Educated and familiar with the Childbirth Education course: Hypnobirthing Method
Graduate of San Francisco State University: Bachelors in Public Health, Holistic Healing, Human Sexuality
Completion of Birth Doula Certification at Natural Resources in San Francisco
Certified as a Postpartum Doula through Birthingway College of Midwifery
Graduate of the South Coast Midwifery Birth Doula Internship Program
Worked with Aurora Birth Center as a Postpartum Doula
Educated and familiar with Spinning Babies Techniques
Herbal Postpartum Vaginal Steam Facilitator through the Peri-steam Institute
About Heidi
Embodied movement, dancing, and singing are also big parts of my life
I have been a part of several choirs in Portland and currently singing with Kaleidosound
I appreciate the importance of rest, being out in nature, and making authentic connections with those around me
I live in North Portland with my beautiful cat Lobo
“We can’t say thank you enough for all your support and encouragement throughout the pregnancy and labor of our baby boy. During the pregnancy you helped Kory and I communicate more often to work more as a team and prepare for labor. All of your input was/is incredibly helpful. For the labor/delivery, we couldn’t have done it without you- no exaggeration. Thank you for guiding Kory and offering advice through each contraction. Thank you especially for talking me through the most difficult contraction, which ultimately led to a natural delivery with no epidural. You were our rock throughout the entire labor and we are forever grateful. You are a phenomenal doula and we are so excited to see what you do with this special skill set. Thank you, Thank you!”