Hope Lien, CD(DONA), PCD(DONA), CLC, BWBI
"Every family should feel confident to take charge of their birth AND postpartum experience. Many healthy moms can give birth without medical intervention, but when an intervention is necessary, it’s important that families have their voice heard and receive non-judgmental support for their preferences. Postpartum, a new mother is very vulnerable to the pressures around her and needs support as she navigates the kind of mother she will become. The new mother needs to be nurtured, just as she nurtures her own baby. As each momma courageously embraces this rite of passage, I am honored to be present."
Hope Lien is a Certified Birth & Postpartum Doula as well as a Certified Lactation Counselor
Supporting women gently to be empowered during their pregnancy, birth, postpartum and beyond is my passion. I take great delight in journeying with women of all ages and backgrounds as they enter motherhood. It is very important to me to tailor my care to each individual family. I have been doing birth work the past 7 years, postpartum work for 5 years and have worked with children and families for more than 10 years in various capacities.
I am certified as a Birth and Postpartum doula through DONA International, certified as a Lactation Counselor through Healthy Children, and certified as a Breastfeeding Without Birthing instructor.
I live in the Minneapolis area with my husband and have the honor of mothering my two children that I call my little "miracles". My 3 year old daughter came to us through adoption and I had the beautiful experience of helping to catch her when she entered the world, as well as induce lactation in order to nurse her for two years. Then, I very unexpectedly became pregnant with my second miracle baby, who was born at home with the loving support of my doulas, midwives, support of my partner and baby's big sister. My little boy is almost 5 months old.
I love supporting all families-- regardless of their background or their hopes or plans for their birthing time. Each birth is unique and sacred in it's own right. No matter how that looks.
I am certified as a Birth and Postpartum doula through DONA International, certified as a Lactation Counselor through Healthy Children, and certified as a Breastfeeding Without Birthing instructor.
I live in the Minneapolis area with my husband and have the honor of mothering my two children that I call my little "miracles". My 3 year old daughter came to us through adoption and I had the beautiful experience of helping to catch her when she entered the world, as well as induce lactation in order to nurse her for two years. Then, I very unexpectedly became pregnant with my second miracle baby, who was born at home with the loving support of my doulas, midwives, support of my partner and baby's big sister. My little boy is almost 5 months old.
I love supporting all families-- regardless of their background or their hopes or plans for their birthing time. Each birth is unique and sacred in it's own right. No matter how that looks.
Testimonials
When we found out we would be expecting out firstborn there were so many emotions. Happy and excited for what was to comes and finally being chosen to become lucky parents but I was also nervous and anxious for the unknown and uncontrollable situation that may ensue. In studiously talking to my more "granola" girlfriends about their experiences I received the strong suggestion to find a doula. My friend's experience had been a great one through a really tough labor and I in wanting to feel as prepared for anything as possible decided to also "safeguard" my own experience. The other reasons I ultimately went with their recommendations: 1) I felt like I craved the emotional support and genuine connection I feared may be removed in not knowing who would deliver me (my doctor's practice does not assign one dr so I had over 9 different on call doctors could deliver me). 2) I really wanted to go as natural as possible and not feel "forced" into doing things body or my baby weren't ready for. 3) And lastly I wanted someone else in the room who could cue to my always attentive and intense hubby that support through labor didn't have to completely fall on his shoulders. The result? Pre-labor: Natalia and Hope we're so attentive when I approached and missed my due date by a week and a half- Before every appointment and check in with my dr. I presented recaps and questions in what was being recommended and they provided me the resources but also reassurance that my feelings and concerns were valid. Labor: Once I finally went into labor Natalia was on-call and seriously helped create such a beautiful environment. She was calm, nurturing and somehow managed an incredible balance of providing helpful suggestions and support without being or annoying as lets face it, you are your worst self when you are in pain! In addition I feel like I should mention that I had a 32 hour delivery and Natalia stayed there the entire time with us to see the baby. They were so worth it!
Rachel Ness
"It was great having someone to explain my birth plan to the hospital staff so that I could focus on my labor. This also allowed my husband focus on me. Having someone there with birth knowledge to pull from so that my husband and myself didn't have to think and remember all the labor techniques was also a blessing...I didn't realize how helpful processing the birth and talking about it would be. Going over our birth and seeing her postpartum reminded us of all the preparation we put into our delivery and how because of her help we were able to have our birth plan fulfilled...She will forever be in our thoughts because of how she helped us achieve our ideal birth and avoid a 2nd c section!"
JINA NELSON
"I would say her lactation support was most valuable. She was outstanding in her guidance and support as I began to nurse my newborn. I was extremely nervous about whether nursing would go well, and Hope was with me every step of the way. She helped me to find comfortable positions for nursing and showed me how to adjust my baby's latch. She allayed all my fears and answered the many many questions I had about milk supply, feeding schedules, pumping, among many other things. I can't emphasize enough how essential her support was! ...My postpartum experience with my second child was so smooth because she was there to guide me and offer her support. I loved that she listened to my concerns and offered guidance accordingly, rather than just imposing her ideas upon me (as other lactation consultants have done). And I was so delighted that she was as concerned about my own well-being as she was about my baby's."
PALLAVI D.
"She has the ability to listen so well and make a person feel cared about. She is gentle in how she approaches babies, children, and myself included. Her approach makes me feel so safe & secure, and I can be myself. This was very important during the birth of our child, but also in the months afterwards... Every time Hope would walk in the door, I knew when she left I would feel energized to approach motherhood again. Whether it was helping me clean & tidy the house, helping me with the kids so I could rest or have alone time, time to take a shower, it was such a boost for me as new mom. I wish all new moms could have the support of Hope! The support has made this transition for our family go well. The birth of our second baby and having Hope as our doula wasn't what I expected - it was even better! She is gentle, patient, and attentive. She has a way of making a family feel like they are the most important thing in that moment. She is the kind of person that puts others first, and her approach is one of the most tender kind of care I've ever experienced. Hope knew when to step in and help during contractions, and when to let Chris and I have precious moments alone together."
TARA A.
"We really enjoyed having Hope as our doula again, she is encouraging and knowledgeable in the birth process. She helps you truly believe in what your body can do and to listen to it. She helped us see that birth can be a wonderfully natural event...She spoke encouraging words to me during labor and delivery and also helped manage my lower back pain by doing hip squeezes when my husband was tired... I enjoyed going over my birth story with her and getting her input and knowledge. I also liked that she encourages you to receive help in any way you can. Also, knowing that I can still go to her if I have anything I want to talk about or if I have issues with breastfeeding, is so wonderful...We will continue to go to Hope if we have more children! "
STEPHANIE BRAY
