Marisa Wright

Certified birth doula, postpartum doula, Spinning Babies®Certified Parent Educator, lactation counselor, qualified mother roaster, courses in perinatal mental health

I am lucky enough to be from MIssoula, Montana.  I studied biology at the University of Montana with emphasis in education, psychology and ecology. After graduating in 2005 I moved to Seattle for shy of 2 years, working at a rock climbing gym while exploring the pacific northwest. Afterwards I spent a year in Australia, road-tripping, surfing and missing the mountains, then a year in New Zealand. I worked a few seasons in Milford Sound as sea kayak guide before moving to Alaska to work for Alaska Crossings, a wilderness therapy company taking youth at risk in the wilderness for 51 days, ocean canoeing and mountaineering. In the in-beteen I lived in a Chevy van, traveling around the western United States, exploring, avoiding the cities, and finding peace in the wilderness. 

While working again in Milford in 2011 I became pregnant with my first child, born in Missoula at Community Hospital September 2012. The incredible experience of pregnancy and childbirth ignited a passion in me and shortly after my son was born I began studying to be a birth doula through DONA International. Since beginning my certification I have attended several trainings including the DONA birth doula training,  Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) training, DONA postpartum doula training, Sacred Postpartum course, several Spinning Babies® courses becoming a Certified Parent Educator, a certification lecture course with Postpartum Support International, lectures focused on breastfeeding support for doulas, child sleep training etc., and have furthered my knowledge with independent research. I’m always looking to learn more, to bring more to the families I work with. I am a Certified Birth Doula, a Postpartum Doula (both through DONA International) and a Qualified Mother Roaster through Sacred Postpartum, a Spinning Babies® Certified Parent Educator and also a Certified ISR swim instructor, teaching aquatic self rescue to kiddos age 6 months and older. My passion is supporting people, in which ever role they need. I feel very comfortable with being the person to lean on in times of joy as well as hardship while providing a solid, calm presence.

My second baby boy was born in December 2015, at the Birth Center in Missoula, Mt. After all my training and attending many, many births at that point I thought I knew what to expect. I didn't. Birth surprises us every time! And with every birth there is a lesson, and a reminder of strength. I am a full time professional doula now and carry each lesson with me at every birth, while remaining joyfully present and ready for surprises!

After living and working with families in New Zealand I was very exited to come back to Montana, I learned so much during my time there!

I believe in the empowerment of women/people through their birth experience. I believe in supporting women/people to have the birth experience they choose, however they define it. I believe in opening to birth as it unfolds, often unexpectedly, and finding surrender. I believe that supporting the partner and working well with other team members are key in this process.

The DONA philosophy states  "A doula for every woman who wants one."  I believe that a healthy community starts with birth and will therefore provide services at a reduced cost when possible.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or to schedule a free consultation.