About
What languages do you speak?
English
What is your personal definition of “doula”?
A doula is someone who offers evidence-based emotional, physical, and educational support. They bring a steady, calm, and grounded energy to the space. Doulas do not bring their own personal biases or judgments into the birth and postpartum space; they are there to help parents feel empowered, informed, and confident in their choices for their families. A doula meets parents where they are, physically and emotionally, to walk beside them through the transition into parenthood.
What brought you to birth and postpartum work?
I have wanted to be a part of the birth world since I was very young. I wanted to be a midwife for most of my life. I set my sights on this career path because I wanted to be a part of birth on a more holistic and personal level. The day I discovered what a doula was, my entire planned change. I was elated by the idea of being a part of the birth world in this very unique way. I want the ability to be able to form strong connections with my clients and have my clients feel they can trust me and rely on me. I was drawn to this family support side of the birth world and feel very privileged to be a part of it.
In a climate of caregiver burnout, how are you caring for yourself?
Seeing my counsellor is probably the best thing I do for myself, having other doulas in my life to talk, ask questions, and debrief with is a close second! I am very lucky to have a wonderful support system around me. I know I can always rely on my community to have my back and care for me when I need a little extra help!
What is a standout book, movie/tv, etc about the childbearing/parenting journey that you return to?
BOOKS
- For parents wanting to feed their babies from their bodies, I always recommend reading Breastfeeding Made Simple by Nancy Mohrbacher and Kathleen Kendall-Tackett
- As for birth partners, The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin and Melissa Cheyney is an absolute must-read!
PODCASTS
Both have so many episodes to listen to and cover almost every birth topic you can think of!
Birth Care Package
To better understand Brood’s birth package pricing model, read on → Making Birth Doula Care Accessible: The Green Bottle Sliding Scale Method
Tell us more about the ethos in your birth doula practice:
My goal in my work is to help families and birthing people feel empowered and confident in their choices. My job is to come into families’ spaces full of curiosity. I want to learn as much as I can about what you want your birth to look like. I want to know what makes you feel safe, what makes you feel on edge, and what makes your heart feel full and comfortable. While I cannot predict how your birth will go or make guarantees, it is my job to help you feel prepared and informed. I do not believe there are right or wrong ways to give birth. Birth is birth, from unmedicated home births to planned cesareans; we all deserve to feel safe and supported during this time. I committed to practicing birth work with openness, compassion, and inclusivity. I come without judgment or bias. I am here to support you and your family in whatever way makes sense for you!
Prenatal Care
- Free In-Person Foundations Visit → Once your contract is signed and your first-choice doula has been confirmed, your doula will visit your home for around 1+ hour so you can chat, connect, and ensure the fit feels right—for both of you!
- Personalized Prenatal Sessions → 2 – 3 prenatal visits to discuss preferences, wishes, and fears for labour and delivery.
- Birth & Postpartum Planning → Assist with writing a birth preference sheet if one has not already been created, as well as create an early labour “game plan”.
- Labour & Birth Preparation → Practice positions, breathing techniques, mantras, massage, preferences for physical touch, etc.
- Decision-Making Support → Provide up-to-date evidence-based information, I do not make decisions for you or on your behalf, but I am happy to talk through choices and offer information so you can feel sure in your decisions.
- Community Referrals → Refer to other professionals when needed, we have so many amazing resources in Victoria all around us!
- 24/7 on-call Support → Starting from two weeks before your estimated due date.
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Virtual Support → via call, text, or email from when you hire me up to 6 weeks postpartum
- Brood’s Family Membership → Gain exclusive access to five online courses covering prenatal and newborn care, plus join our virtual private clubhouse and member area for downloadable resources.
- Postpartum Product Guide → A curated list of our top postpartum must-haves, based on what we see support families again and again.
Birth Attendance
- Continuous Care → We will discuss ahead of time when you want me to join you when you are in labour. This will look different for every family, but will most likely be in late early labour to early active labour. I will be there for hands-on support from when I arrive through the entirety of labour and birth. I will stay until about two hours after the baby has arrived (or until you feel you are ready for privacy with your new baby).
- Pain Relief Techniques → During your labour, I can use comfort techniques like massage, acupressure, counter-pressure, position changes, and drawing baths and showers. I’m also happy to use any mantras, meditations, or visualizations we have practiced in our prenatal meetings to support relaxation and coping.
- Support for Birth Preferences → I will help create a calm atmosphere, facilitate rest when appropriate, and support you in making informed decisions as things unfold. I can also help ensure your preferences are communicated clearly so you feel supported and heard throughout the process.
- Newborn Care Assistance → After your baby is born, I can help with first feedings and skin-to-skin, supporting you and your baby in getting a smooth start together.
- Birth Photography → I can try to sneak some pictures in as well if you want some, capturing special early moments after your baby arrives.
Postpartum Support
- Lactation & Feeding Support → I offer lactation and feeding support using up-to-date, evidence-based information, and I can provide referrals when needed to ensure you feel confident and supported with feeding choices.
- Emotional Support & Processing → We can talk through any thoughts or feelings you have about your birth experience or your transition into parenthood, creating space for reflection, reassurance, and support.
- Infant Care Guidance → I can assist with infant care by supporting feeding, recognizing early hunger cues, burping, comforting your baby, and understanding normal newborn sleep patterns.
- Light Household Support → I’m happy to help with light housekeeping, organization, pet care, and meal prep to make your home feel calmer and more manageable during the early postpartum days.
- Rest & Recovery Support → I can care for your baby so you have time to sleep, shower, and eat. Facilitating rest is a high priority for me, and I’ll help protect that time whenever possible.
- Sibling & Pet Adjustment Support → I can help with pet and sibling care, knowing it can be a big adjustment to welcome a new baby into the home. I’m here to make that transition a little easier for everyone.
- Walks & Extra Support → If helpful, I can take siblings or pets for walks to give you space to rest, reset, and bond with your baby.
Training + Education
BIRTH & POSTPARTUM
- Doula Micro-Credential, Camosun College
- Postpartum Doula Training, DONA International
- Breastfeeding Workshop, DONA International
- Birth Doula Training, DONA International
- Introduction to Childbirth for Doulas, DONA International
OTHER
- Healthcare Provider CPR-C with AED
- Certified Criminal Record Check, including Vulnerable Sector Screening
- Sun Life Coverage-Approved Doula
- San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training
- Eligible for Extended Health Reimbursement
WORKSHOPS & ROUNDTABLES
- EQ + You: for Care Workers with Jessica Robson
- Lactation + Nursing for Doulas with Allison Mennie of Milky Way Lactation
- Running Your Care Practice with Emma Devin of Brood
- Full Spectrum Roundtable with Gina Badger of Long Spell, Dr. Madeline Ennis, Julia Santana Parilla of So I Had an Abortion, and Zuzana Betkova, Registered Midwife and Adjunct Professor
- Bookkeeping for Doulas with Courtney Ewan of CCE Consulting
- Who You Are Affects How You Care with Anna Balagtas of Pocket Doula
- Supplements & Nutrition with Dr Jennifer Fitzgerald of Bird&Be
- Twins, Triplets, and Multiples 101 with Emma Devin and Lolo Chaumont of Brood
- NICU 101 for Doulas with Tracy Karp, (NP) Neonatal Patient Care, Nursing Education and Leadership
- Perinatal Mental Health: Identifying and Supporting Clients with PMADs, with MomWell
- Sleep Training Roundtable with Desiree Russell and Jessica Peters
- Acupuncture and Acupressure for Doulas with Courtney Morris
- Values in Action: Boundaries & Balance in Care Work with Saphren Ma and Emma Devin of Brood
- Queer & Gender Affirming Care: Supporting and Celebrating Queer & Gender Diverse Families with Dia DP
- Lactation Support for Doulas: Common Ailments and Hands-on Resources with Allison Mennie of Milky Way Lactation
- Enhancing Doula Care: How to Address Clients’ Body Image Concerns and Combat Anti-Fat Bias with Vinny Welsby of the Fiercy Fatty + Weight Inclusive Consulting
- Values in Action: Care Considerations for the Perinatal Period with Roberta Stuart
- Babywearing 101 with Karla Castro of the Babywearing Club
- Trauma & Care Work: Integration and Healing from Birth & Postpartum Experiences with Melissa Medjuck of the Perinatal Collective
- Responsive Doula Care for Families with Complex Needs with Lolo Chaumont
- Sex and Relationships After Baby with Erin Davidson, MA, RCC, CST, CHST
- Pelvic Floor Support Through Pregnancy to Early Postpartum with Lauren Sutherland of Core Connection Physio
FOR YOUR PERSONAL LEARNING, WHAT IS THE WORKSHOP/TRAINING ON YOUR RADAR?
- Homebirth for Birthworkers, Cornerstone Doula Training
- Cesarean Birth: A Compassionate Approach for Birth Workers, Birthing From Within
- Taming Fear: Supporting Parents in Pregnancy and Birth, Birthing From Within
