W E L C O M E

I'm a birth doula providing compassionate, empowering, informative and relational care.

About Anna

About Anna image
Hi, I'm Anna!

I am a certified birth doula trained through Birth Arts International who seeks to provide compassionate, informative and relational care to the women and families I support. I have lived in the Flathead Valley in beautiful Montana for the past decade, which is where I met and married my husband, Mark. Together we have two daughters, Allison and Raegan, and a son, Gunnar. Our family loves to spend time outside adventuring whether it be camping, hiking, fishing, swimming or exploring new areas.

My interest in birth work began when I was pregnant with my oldest daughter and I was confronted with my own fears and misconceptions about childbirth. Knowing these fears needed to be dealt with, I took comfort in becoming educated in the reality that birth is a normal, physiological process that women's bodies were intricately designed to experience. My first birth experience was transformational and at that point I knew that my exposure and connection with the birth world had only just begun.

My understanding of birth has been deeply shaped by my own formative experiences through four pregnancies and three births. I have experienced uncomplicated, spontaneous labor at home and have also experienced an unplanned induction in the hospital. I have lived the heart ache of miscarriage and the uncertainty of pregnancy after loss.

I believe in the power of undisturbed and spontaneous labor just as much as I recognize the reality of changing circumstances. I've been there. I am no stranger to unforeseen complications, yet firmly believe in a woman's innate ability to give birth. I want to provide support, counsel and understanding as you navigate your own unique journey.

My biggest values are providing relational and informative care, meaning I want to know and understand YOU, so that I can best serve and support you. I desire to provide evidence based information so that you can make informed decisions that you and your family feel confident in.

Services

CONSULTATION

CONSULTATION

Not sure where or how to begin the process of looking for a doula? Let's get together and talk! I offer free consultations to anyone interested in knowing more about my services and to determine if we'd be a good fit. This can be done via phone call or in person.

DOULA PACKAGE

DOULA PACKAGE

The package I offer encompasses care throughout pregnancy, birth and postpartum. I view providing relational care as an essential component of the support I provide and desire to walk with clients throughout the entirety of their experience.

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Featured

The Daily Interlake

A former client turned friend (Hi Summer!) was kind enough to interview me regarding my work as a doula.

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F.A.Q

In Greek, "doula" is translated "a woman who serves"

A doula is a trained professional who provides physical, emotional and educational support throughout pregnancy, birth and postpartum. It is not a medical role, and does not replace that of a midwife or an OB.

A doula is committed to supporting women throughout pregnancy, the entirety of labor, and during the initial postpartum period. They are there for emotional and educational support each step of the way. Their entire priority is that you would be supported throughout the entire process- and most specifically during birth. This can take on many forms- including ideas for comfort measures, position changes, and emotional encouragement.
Not at all. Your partner brings history and connection to your relationship that cannot be replicated. The unique ways they know you and understand how to emotionally support you is necessary. A doula brings knowledge and experience- as well as emotional support- but works in conjunction with your partner, not against them.
No! A doula supports women through whatever preferences they have and whatever decisions they choose to make. Pregnancy, birth, and postpartum are all full of new experiences, uncertainties, and questions and your doula is committed to help you understand and educate you on your options and support you in the process.

Testimonials

 

I found out I was going to need a c-section a few weeks before my due date. This was not my ideal birth plan at all but Anna spent a lot of time helping me manage that initial disappointment and see the beauty in all forms of birth! She advocated for me, even to myself, as I managed the emotion of the change in plans. She is such a huge reason I went into that day ready, focused and giddy to meet my boy. Not all mamas are lucky enough to have their doula by their side in surgery but I did! She was steady, clam, focused and truly the support I needed minute-to-minute. Anna is very intuitive and flexible. When I was too overwhelmed to think of myself, she was there with what I needed. When plans were shifting and changing rapidly, she was steady and assuring. I am SO thankful for the mark she will always have on the first days of our family’s story!

Laura Robinson
 

Anna was such a blessing and support with the birth of our first baby. I was nervous, afraid, stressed and not feeling capable. She was always willing to listen, give real affirmations, give practical and helpful tools/resources to deal with all the things leading up to birth. During birth, she came and helped keep a peaceful environment. Not to mention- her skills with counter pressure, massage, and breathing reminders helped with labor pains immensely! Her encouragement, along with my husband (whom she empowered so much as well) helped bring out son into the world with grace and strength. Her postpartum visits were the best. She came bearing delicious and healthy gifts and any resources needed to help with postpartum. Don't wait to reach out to Anna if you are embarking on your pregnancy journey!

Kiera Rasmussen
 

When I first found out I was pregnant, I was terrified. I sought out a doula, knowing I didn't want to walk this path alone. Upon meeting Anna, I felt her peaceful presence soothe my anxious heart. She didn't dismiss my fears, she made me feel heard. Her gift of empathy is truly bestowed upon her from the God of the Universe. Not only did I feel like I could be vulnerable with her, but I wanted to share my whole self with her. Anna was everything I needed before, during, and after giving birth. She was there for me through the heartache, the miraculous and the weird and I never felt like I was imposing by texting or calling her. She has remained a true friend and I hope many more women will be able to feel the peace that Anna brings to such a divine, life-changing experience. I am so thankful Anna will forever be a part of mine and River's story.

Summer Zalesky
 

Pregnancy came with a lot of unexpected hurdles for me, and my husband and I couldn't have been more grateful to have had Anna walk through every step of the way with us. She was our steady person in what felt like a lot of chaos. She was so comforting and calming, she brought so much peace. She loved us so well through it all. Anna gave me answers to so many questions I had and if she didn't know the answer she would research and pull on her own resources to find out more. I couldn't have asked for a more kind and compassionate doula to welcome my baby into this world. She kept my focus steady on my sweet reward of my baby coming and when I saw her holding him at my post delivery appointment I could feel her joy for us. I would highly recommend having Anna as your doula because pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum can have many unexpected hardships and having someone in your family's corner to cheer you on and support you with comfort, knowledge and many resources is such a blessing.

Bethany Tennyson
 

Having Anna as my doula helped prepare and heal me in ways I didn't know I needed. I didn't have a doula with my first birth and it was quite traumatic on my body and mental health. This led to a lot of anxiety and misinformation once I was pregnant again. I knew I did not want a repeat of my first pregnancy, birth and postpartum so I sought out all of the resources I could to try and bring more positivity and education to the experience. Through meeting with Anna, using her resources, asking so many questions without receiving judgment, sharing my emotions and concerns, and having constant support, I absolutely had the most incredible pregnancy and birth with my second son. It was truly redemptive and gets me excited to have another baby- also because I get to spend so much time with Anna! Not only was this experience redeeming because of her care and information, but because of her perspective on prenatal, birth, and postpartum health. She genuinely loves people and it shines through the way she intentionally educates about the wholeness of your amazing body and abilities.

Jamie Morden
 

I'm so thankful I chose Anna to be my doula. I had a lot of anxiety surrounding birth and all of the unknowns and she took the time to help process and encourage me. She not only equipped us for birth, but offered resources and helped educate us leading up to it. Anna was a constant safe space during pregnancy- answering all of our questions, attending appointments with me when my husband could not make it and making me feel so seen and understood as a mama. During my son's birth, Anna was a calm and peaceful presence. He was born 6 weeks early via c-section, and although it was not what I had hoped, I am beyond grateful that Anna was the one who got to be there with us. She was the emotional support before, during and after the surgery, She was there for me but also helped empower my husband through it all. If you are expecting and wondering if you should hire a doula, you should and you need Anna! She was amazing support postpartum-bringing nourishing dinners to our meetings and affirming my birth experience. I'm forever grateful Anna is a part of Cal and I's story!

Jordan Stevens
 
 

Contact

To set up a consultation, find out my availability or for any other inquiries, please don't hesitate to send me a message! I would love to connect with you. You can also find me on instagram @annakreiderdoulaservices!