Meet Darlene

I’m Darlene Charise, the heart behind Womb & Root. I was born in Portland, Oregon and moved to Seattle, WA at the age of 12. As a mom and now a proud grandmother of two amazing grandkids, my story is deeply rooted in family and the power of having a strong village.

I raised my daughter as a single mom, leaning on my community for support during her early years. When she became a teenage mother, at 18, I stood beside her through birth and postpartum and it was in those sacred moments that I realized just how vital building a village really is. That experience ignited my passion to support women and families during this life-changing time.

I also spent 15 years in Dallas, TX, a place I absolutely loved, before returning to the Pacific Northwest to continue this calling. Beyond birthwork, I enjoy working out, traveling, savoring good food, and spending quality time with friends and family.

Womb & Root was born from my lived experience the understanding that families thrive when mothers are cared for, communities are involved, and holistic traditions are honored.

A woman sitting on a sofa with two young girls, smiling and enjoying a moment together in a living room.

“Darlene is an excellent postpartum doula. She helped our family 2 nights a week for the first 4 weeks after delivery, and provided crucial aid to allow my husband and I to rest between feeds overnight - especially post c-section with our 2nd baby. 

Darlene has a calm and caring disposition. She listened to me just talk and explore my new world as a mom of two during the night feeds, and offered sound advice for how to care for our newborn (like burping, pacifier use, calming, sleeping). Because even as a second time mom I forgot what to do. Her help was critical and I believe set us up for a world of overnight success in the early days. 

Our baby is now 8 weeks old and I'm convinced she only wakes 1 or 2x a night to feed because of Darlene and her understanding of newborn sleep and eating cues. 

Hire her, you won't regret it.” 

Keri Miriello

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