About
What languages do you speak?
English
What is your personal definition of “doula”?
I see a doula as someone who creates a safe space for people to navigate pregnancy, birth, and postpartum in a way that feels right for them. Someone who builds trust, holds space without judgment, and ensures people feel supported through some of the most tender moments of their lives.
What brought you to birth and postpartum work?
I was introduced to birth work 15 years ago when my sister hired a doula for her pregnancy. I was able to witness the depth of support given to her during her pregnancy and birth, and immediately knew how important it would be for me were I to have a child one day. Several years later, when it was my turn, my sister had become a doula and supported me on my journey. It was a beautiful time that I’ve always looked back on with so much gratitude, and a little twinge of *I think I might want to help people like that too* It was a long and winding road to get here, but I’m so thrilled to be doing this work now.
In a climate of caregiver burnout, how are you caring for yourself?
First and foremost, therapy (three cheers for therapy), SO much time outside, at the lake, especially. Reading is huge for me- there’s nothing quite like getting lost in a fictional world. And spending time with family helps me feel grounded and whole.
What is a standout book, movie/tv, etc about the childbearing/parenting journey that you return to?
TV
PODCASTS
BOOKS
- Like a Mother by Angela Garbes
- Killing the Black Body by Dorothy Roberts
- Raising Them by Kyl Myers
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 believe everyone deserves compassionate, affirming, and individualized support during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. I welcome and support clients of all identities, family structures, and backgrounds, meeting each person where they are and tailoring my care to their unique needs and values.
As a non-binary queer person, I understand how important it is to feel seen, respected, and affirmed within healthcare spaces that have not always been inclusive of diverse identities and family structures. I am passionate about supporting queer, trans, and gender non-conforming individuals and families by creating a space where they can show up authentically and receive care that honours who they are.
To me, being a doula means helping people feel safe, empowered, and supported throughout their journey, while ensuring their voice, identity, and values remain at the center of their experience.
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 2 prenatal sessions either in-person or virtual, depending on your preference. We’ll check in on your pregnancy, learn how to prepare for birth, and practice tools to manage the challenges of labour.
- Birth Plan → Together we’ll discuss the pros and cons of medical interventions, and develop a birth plan that prioritizes your birth preferences.
- Preparing for Postpartum → We’ll create a plan together for navigating the postpartum period, prioritizing your physical and mental health while you recover from birth and learn how to do life with a new baby.
- Unlimited Text & Phone Support → I’m here to be your sounding board! I’m available for text and phone support any time throughout your pregnancy and early postpartum period.
- 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 → From the moment you feel you need support in labour through the first couple of hours after birth, I’ll be by your side offering steady guidance, reassurance, and hands-on support. I’ll be there to help you navigate each stage of labour, adapt to your changing needs, and support you as you welcome your baby into the world and settle into those first precious postpartum moments.
- Comfort Measures → During labour, we’ll draw on the comfort measures and coping techniques we explored during your prenatal visits to help you navigate the physical intensity of birth. I’ll also bring a thoughtfully stocked doula bag with items designed to create a calm, comforting environment.
- Support Person → If you have a support person with you during labour, I’ll also support them so they can be there for you in the ways that feel most helpful. That might look like teaching hands-on comfort measures, suggesting positions and coping techniques, or encouraging them to take breaks to rest and eat when needed.
- Your Birth Plan → I’ll check in with you when something from your birth plan arises, discussing your preferences with you and encouraging you to advocate for your preferences with your care team.
- Capturing the Moments → Whether you’d like just a few candid photos or more comprehensive documentation, I’ll always prioritize your consent, privacy, and comfort while capturing memories of this special experience.
- Immediate Postpartum Support → In the early hours after birth, I’ll offer support with first feeds, newborn care, and your initial postpartum recovery.
Postpartum Support
- Postpartum Visit → When you feel ready, we’ll schedule a postpartum follow-up visit, either in person or virtually, to reflect on your birth experience and check in on how you and your baby are adjusting. This visit is an opportunity to process your birth story, discuss feeding and newborn care, and ensure you feel supported in your physical and emotional recovery.
- Ongoing Support → I offer unlimited phone and text support for up to six weeks postpartum, so you have a trusted source of guidance and reassurance as you navigate the early weeks of parenthood.
- Community Referrals & Resources → I can connect you with a variety of community resources tailored to your needs and goals, from chest-feeding and lactation support to parenting groups and other local services. I aim to help you build a strong support network that feels affirming, accessible, and aligned with your family’s unique journey.
Training + Education
BIRTH & POSTPARTUM
- Full Spectrum Doula Training, Doula School Canada
OTHER
- Healthcare Provider CPR-C with AED
- Certified Criminal Record Check, including Vulnerable Sector Screening
- Carrot Fertility-Approved Doula
- 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?
- A Values-Based Approach to Informed Consent
- Fourth Trimester: Caring for Trans and Gender Expansive Birthing People
Testimonials
Working with Jess during my postpartum journey was such a supportive experience. From the very beginning, they provided compassionate, non-judgmental support and helped me feel more confident as I adjusted to life with a new baby. One of the things I appreciated most was their ability to connect me with additional resources when I needed them. Their referral to a lactation consultant made a huge difference in our feeding journey and helped me access support quickly and easily. They also helped with food preparation, which was truly a gift during those early weeks. Having nourishing meals ready allowed me to focus on rest, recovery, and bonding with my baby. I highly recommend Jess to anyone looking for a doula who is caring, knowledgeable, and dedicated to supporting families during this important transition. — Drina R
Long before Jess took the leap to become a certified doula, they supported me as I became a young mother. I struggled a lot with the transition to parenthood, and Jess was there every step of the way. They helped me to navigate a NICU stay, bringing home baby, breastfeeding, and teething horrors. I experienced postpartum depression, and I can say with all honesty that if I hadn’t had their support, I don’t know how I would have made it to the other side of that time. Jess was a light in the darkness of my early parenting journey, and I will be forever grateful. — Danielle R
