About
What languages do you speak?
English
What is your personal definition of “doula”?
To me, a doula is someone who helps you feel safe, understood, and empowered through transitional seasons of the reproductive continuum, providing unwavering informational, physical, and emotional support and advocacy.
What brought you to birth and postpartum work?
Through experiences with loss and navigating bias within the medical system, my work and education began as acts of self-preservation and advocacy, evolving into a passion for supporting autonomy and community-centred care. My doula work is further shaped by a background in early childhood education and the privilege of caring for several wonderful families as a nanny.
In a climate of caregiver burnout, how are you caring for yourself?
I care for myself by prioritizing rest, movement, mental health care & quality time with my loved ones.
What is a standout book, movie/tv, etc about the childbearing/parenting journey that you return to?
PODCAST
BOOKS
- Revolutionary Mothering: Love on the Front Lines by Alexis Pauline Gumbs, China Martens, and Mai’a Williams
- Feed the Baby: An Inclusive Guide to Nursing, Bottle-Feeding, and Everything In Between by Victoria Facelli, IBCLC
- Killing the Black Body: Race, Reproduction, and the Meaning of Liberty by Dorothy Roberts
- Indigenous Experiences of Pregnancy and Birth by Hannah Tait Neufeld and Jaime Cidro
- The Labor Progress Handbook by Penny Simkin
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 strongly believe that birthing people and families have the right to evidence-based, trauma-informed and culturally safe care. My approach is rooted in empowerment, empathy, inclusivity, and the understanding that support looks different for every individual. I trust you as the expert of your own path and preferences.
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, either in-person or virtually. We’ll check in on your pregnancy, discuss any fears or concerns, and cover topics like labour preparation, birth planning, postpartum recovery, newborn basics, and what ideal support looks like for you and your family.
- Unlimited Text and Phone Support → Enjoy continuous support from the moment you hire me until 6 weeks postpartum, with unlimited availability for questions or concerns.
- (Optional) Prenatal Medical Appointment Attendance → I’m happy to attend your prenatal appointments or ultrasounds if you need additional support.
- Community Referrals → Access trusted local resources and additional support providers as needed.
- Unlimited Use of My Reading Library → Enjoy my extensive collection of books on prenatal care, labour, delivery, postpartum, infant feeding, and parenting.
- Emotional Support → I’m here to listen and provide a safe space for you to express your feelings about your pregnancy, birth and the changes ahead.
- 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
- Advocacy and Communication → I will ensure that your birth preferences are communicated to the hospital staff or home birth team, reminding you of your options and helping you advocate for your wishes when necessary.
- Continuous In-Person Support → I’ll be on call and available for you from 37 weeks gestation onwards, through early labour, and by your side during active labour and delivery for up to 2 hours after birth, making sure you, your baby & support team are well cared for.
- Comfort & Pain Relief Support → I offer a range of comfort measures, including acupressure, counter-pressure, massage, optimal labour positions, TENS, and meditation. I’ll help guide your breathing, encourage movement, and ensure you stay hydrated and nourished for a more supported labour.
- Partner Support → I’ll help your partner(s) support you effectively and take breaks when needed, ensuring they are also cared for and nourished.
- Comprehensive Doula Bag Access → Enjoy access to my doula bag, which includes tools such as a TENS unit, essential oils, and lighting options to create your ideal birth environment.
- Labor Notes and Timeline → Receive detailed labor notes and a timeline of your birth process, along with your first photos with your baby or any other moments you wish to capture.
- (Optional) Birth Photography → Capture your birth with personalized birth photography, whether you want the entire process documented or just the first hours with your baby.
- Post-Birth Support → 1-2 hours of immediate post-birth support, I will help with your first latch or bottle feed, offer newborn care guidance, and ensure that both you and your baby are comfortable and nourished.
Postpartum Support
- 1-2 In-Person Postpartum Visits → During these sessions, we’ll unpack your birth experience, address any feeding or infant care questions, and check in on how you’re doing mentally, physically, and emotionally without judgement.
- Ongoing Support → Enjoy unlimited text and phone support for up to 6 weeks postpartum. I’m here for you whenever you need guidance or reassurance.
- Support System Check-In → Together, we’ll assess your support system and make sure you’re receiving the help you need during your postpartum transition. I’ll provide guidance on how to best utilize your resources for optimal support.
- Personalized Referrals → Receive referrals to trusted community resources and practitioners as needed. Whether it’s counselling, support groups, physiotherapists, or lactation consultants, I’ll help you make the right connections.
- (Optional) Newborn Photography → Capture your baby’s early days with personalized lifestyle newborn/family photography.
Training + Education
BIRTH
- Certified Full Spectrum Doula, Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings
- Certified Childbirth Educator, Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings
- How to Help Families Get Evidence-Based Care, Evidence Based Birth
- Friedman’s Curve and Failure to Progress, Evidence Based Birth
- PROM, GBS & Newborn Procedures, Evidence Based Birth
- Inducing for Due Dates and Advanced Birthing Age, Evidence Based Birth
- Macrosomia & Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Evidence Based Birth
- Crisis Response for Birthworkers, Project LETS, Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings
- Supporting Neonatal Resuscitation, Safe Beginnings
POSTPARTUM
- Certified Nursing & Lactation Specialist, Lactation Education Resources
- Certified Full Spectrum Lactation Educator, Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings
- HOURS Program Member (Pathway 1 IBCLC Candidate), Lactation Education Resources
- Legal and Ethical Concerns for the Lactation Consultant, Lactation Education Resources
- Medical Terminology and Documentation for the Lactation Consultant, Lactation Education Resources
- Universal Safety Precautions, Lactation Education Resources
- Occupational Safety and Security, Lactation Education Resources
OTHER
- Healthcare Provider CPR-C with AED
- Certified Criminal Record Check, including Vulnerable Sector Screening
- Eligible for Carrot Fertility Coverage
- Registered with the Doulas for Aboriginal Families Grant Program (DAFGP)
- Supporting Neurodivergent Clients, Evidence Based Birth
- Cultural Safety Training, Doulas for Aboriginal Families Grant Program (DAFGP)
- Eligible for Extended Health Reimbursement
POST-SECONDARY
-
Certified Early Childhood Educator Assistant, Vancouver Community College
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?
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Supporting People Who Use Drugs & Those In Recovery, Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings
Testimonials
Emily has been an incredible support to our family. She was reliable, warm, and genuinely caring every single Monday she came. Having her around during those early postpartum months made such a difference – she was attentive to both my needs and Everett’s, and I always felt at ease knowing she was there. I would highly recommend Emily to any family looking for a dedicated and compassionate doula. — Kiana
I just want to start by saying Brood is hands down the most caring, knowledgeable, responsive, and trusting care agency that we have ever encountered. Emily, in particular, brought such warmth, expertise, and presence to our experience. The personalized service she gave us—from in-person birth support to postpartum doula care—made every day of this process an absolute joy. Her knowledge and attention to every detail ensured our newborn was healthy, happy, and set up for the critical first few months of her life. We cannot say enough good things about the Brood staff. There is nothing more important than making sure a child is brought into this world safely and receives the best care for the gentle beginning of their life. We absolutely love the Brood family and are so very thankful that we found them and had the joyful experience they brought to this already joyful part of our lives. They enter your life seamlessly and curate each experience with your goals and well-being at the top of their list. Thank you, Brood—and thank you, Emily—for everything. You simply are the best. We take a bow to you — From everyone: Presthaya, Conrad, Baby Freya (& Mary).
I am so grateful to have had Emily by my side during my pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. She was always so reliable and there for me whenever I needed reassurance or support. This was my first pregnancy, and I didn’t really know what to expect from a doula, but she went above and beyond what I had hoped for in guiding me through such an overwhelming and difficult time in my life. Her being there made me feel safe and like I could just relax and focus on my baby instead of everything else going on at the time. I don’t think I could have done it without her. After I had my baby, she even stayed with me to help me learn to breastfeed because I was having so much trouble emotionally and physically. She encouraged me to keep going through it all and reminded me that I’m a good mom. I felt so much less alone with her by my side. — D.B.
Emily was so helpful to us during our first few months as a family of 4. We are so thankful for the calming presence she brought to our home and would recommend her without hesitation! — B.Z.
