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Woman Warrior – Marnellie Bishop

Headshots of Birth & Postpartum Doula Marnellie Bishop

Ever wonder what it would be like to have an extra support person with you at the hospital while you are giving birth? Someone who knows the system, knows your rights, and can help you understand all that medical jargon?

Well…. That’s what Doula care is all about!

I have a huge soft spot for doulas and the care they provide to birthing families. I’ve heard stories about doctors or nurses trying to rush the laboring person. But with a doula there, you don’t have to feel rushed. They will slowly and calmly explain to you ALL of your options and help you make the best decision for you and your baby.

How comforting must that feel? To know you have someone there to advocate for you. Sounds pretty great to me!

Today, I’m stoked to introduce you to Marnellie Bishop of Hānau Doula, a Birth & Postpartum Doula, a Hypnobabies Hypno-Doula, an Evidence Based Birth Instructor, AND a Childbirth Educator. I love that she will be there with you at your birth and then also be there with you postpartum as you adjust to your new life with your sweet new babe. I love following Marnellie on Instagram. She shares valuable information with a dose of humor and wit.

Get to Know Marnellie

Where are you from?

Born in Honolulu, HI. Raised in Portland, OR

Tell me about your family?

I am a wife and mother. My husband and I met in high school but were not high school sweethearts. We started dating in college and dated through our college and grad school years. We married in March of 2010 and welcomed our first child in April of 2014. My daughter, Kennedy, was born at 34-weeks and 6-days due to complications with preeclampsia. Fast forward two years and when we welcomed our son, Everett. In January of this year, we added another member to our family, Illy a Lagotto Romagnolo (look up this breed! You will want one!) We all live on a rare 1 acre property in NW Portland.

Your Doula/Child Birth Educator Journey

When did you first know you wanted to become a Doula/Child Birth Educator?

After helping several friends during their pregnancy and postpartum time, I noticed a gap in the level of information and care that they received. They said, “You should become a doula.” At that point, I knew what a doula was but didn’t truly know what a doula did. When I started to dive deeper into the role of the doula and how a doula can impact birth and the postpartum family, I knew it was my calling. I started the certification process in 2016 and started practicing as a doula in 2017. I started providing childbirth education services in the spring of 2019.

Hānau Doula

Where did you get your degree/do your training?

I received my training as a doula and childbirth educator via International Doula Institute. As a mother to two young children, I needed a self-study program that I could take at my own pace. I received further training through Evidence Based Birth® and Hypnobabies®.

When did you first start Hānau Doula?

Started working as a doula in the summer of 2017.

Can you explain the different services/packages you offer?

Basic Birth

Investment: $1,200

What You Get:

Unlimited email, text and phone support to answer questions that you have during pregnancy or to discuss items you’d like to talk about with your provider
Comprehensive childbirth education classes taught in private or you can take one of my group classes.
Birth Preferences/Plan Preparation

Postpartum Planning and Preparation
Attendance at your birth
8 hours of postpartum support

We would meet either virtually via Zoom chat or in-person at your home. Whatever your comfort level is.

Hypnobabies® Hypno-Doula

Investment: $1,200

What you get: The same level of education and support as my Basic Birth package plus:

Additional visits in-person or virtually to practice and rehearse your hypnosis techniques.
Discounts to the Hypnobabies® Home Study Course and additional tracks

Postpartum Support

Investment: $30/hour with a 4-hour minimum for daytime support and 8-hour minimum for overnight support. Discounted rates when purchasing a package of hours.

Childbirth Education

Investment: $267 for the full class or refresher courses at $67 each

What you get:

Stages of Labor
Making Informed Choices
Comfort Measures & Coping Skills
Newborn Care
Postpartum Recovery

If you could give me a quick synopsis of your business in 5 sentences or less, how would you describe it?

My business thrives on supporting families as they navigate through their perinatal journey – from pregnancy, through birth and into parenthood. I do this by educating and empowering families with evidence based information and reliable resources. I show families that birth and parenthood are not seasons of life to be feared but seasons of change and growth. I help families find their pain points in these areas and then inform and discuss how to navigate those areas with confidence.

Going into business for myself has taught me a tremendous amount about myself as a person. What have you learned about yourself since starting your business?

I am incredibly resourceful. If I don’t know something, I can quickly find the answers and make actionable decisions on the next steps.

If self-employment was easy, everyone would do it. Can you tell me about the obstacles you have faced being in business for yourself?

Probably like most self-employed individuals, the biggest obstacle is managing family and work. I don’t necessarily want to find a balance, that’s not realistic. More so, I want to find the best way to manage both aspects of my life that both take time for nurturing and growth in a way that allows both to thrive. There are moments when either don’t require a lot of attention, which allows me to shift my focus on the other that needs it.

What accomplishments are you most proud of?

Starting a business from the ground up and building it in a way that fits my personality and lifestyle.

Close

I enjoy reading and love sharing new book ideas with others. What book would you recommend to new or expecting parents? And please explain why in 1-2 sentences.

Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Marc Weissbluth

This is my “GO TO” sleep guide for new families. The book is filled with great

research and tips. I like how you can skip around based on your child’s development.

The Danish Way of Parenting by Jessica Alexander & Iben Dissing Sandahl

The authors of this book provide a different perspective on parenting. While not explicitly stated, the book takes into account Positive Parenting and Love and Logic parenting philosophies.