About
What languages do you speak?
English
What is your personal definition of “doula”?
Simply put, a parent for the parent, or parents. The walking Pinterest board of ideas and options to support this important journey through life.
What brought you to birth and postpartum work?
Through my own lived experience, I want to create and support an environment that helps families experience a positive pregnancy, birth, and postpartum journey. I am passionate about Perinatal Mental Health and am pursuing an education in this field after returning to post-secondary mid-life.
In a climate of caregiver burnout, how are you caring for yourself?
I have a wonderful therapist and value mental health support at all stages of life. I also practice taking time away from social media and reconnecting with my friends and family in real life as much as I can. I also love walking my dog at Sue Higgins on a regular basis. The water is therapeutic for us both. I enjoy music and almost always have something playing in the background.
What is a standout book, movie/tv, etc about the childbearing/parenting journey that you return to?
TV/ MOVIES
- Knocked Up, was a clear example that pregnancy is not always perfect, but it always turned out the way it is meant to be.
- Bad Moms, a clear reminder that life isn’t always how it appears on the surface (and to be cautious of PTA groups).
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:
I became a doula because I believe that how a person is supported during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period stays with them their whole life. All families deserve culturally safe, trauma-informed perinatal support that respects their own individuality. I’m passionate about mental health and love supporting families while they advocate for themselves. I’m body positive and appreciate and celebrate diversity of sexuality or ability.
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 → Enjoy 1 to 2 prenatal visits, available in-person or virtually. I’ll check in on your pregnancy, address any concerns, and prepare you for labor and postpartum.
- Birth & Postpartum Planning → We’ll discuss your birth and postpartum plans, including a support plan for all phases of your perinatal experience.
- Community Referrals → Access valuable local resources like prenatal classes, lactation consultants, and mental health support.
- 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 → I’ll be with you throughout active labor and delivery, providing support and comfort. I tend to stay for up to one hour after birth, or until your family feels ready for private time.
- Pain Relief Techniques → Experience comfort measures such as massage or counter pressure techniques, guided meditation and breathwork, calming music, and gentle movement to help manage pain and stress.
- Support for Birth Preferences → I’ll ensure your birth preferences are communicated clearly to the hospital staff or your home birth team and remind you of your options as decisions arise.
- Newborn Care Assistance → After birth, I’ll help with the first feed, supporting you and your baby in establishing feeding support as needed to ensure a smooth start to newborn care.
Postpartum Support
- One In-Person Visit → Focus on newborn care, easing your transition into parenthood, and connecting you with essential support services.
- Debriefing Opportunity → Take the time to discuss your birth experience and address any questions or concerns you may have.
- Ongoing Support → Enjoy text, phone, and email support for up to 2 weeks postpartum. I’m here for you whenever you need reassurance or guidance.
- Baby-Wearing Resources → Get tips and guidance on baby-wearing techniques to help you and your baby bond safely and comfortably.
Training + Education
BIRTH & POSTPARTUM
- Maternal Support Practitioner, Bebo Mia
- Perinatal Mental Health Peer Support Training, Families Matter
- “The Indigenous Midwife Is In” Mentoring Circle, Indigenous Birth Justice Network
- Lactation Station, Indigenous Birth Justice Network
OTHER
- Healthcare Provider CPR-C with AED
- Certified Criminal Record Check, including Vulnerable Sector Screening
- Eligible for Extended Health Reimbursement
- REAL Talk Domestic Violence Training, Sagesse
- Harm Reduction and Naloxone Training, MRU Wellness Services
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?
I’m interested in all areas of perinatal care, including lactation, special needs care, pre and postnatal yoga, and would love to learn more about placenta encapsulation.
