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Katya Gardiner

Pronouns: She/They
Location: Vancouver & Lower Mainland
Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula
Families Served: 3+
Years of Experience: 1+
Birth Package: $1,300 - $1,000 + Agency Fee & Taxes
Experienced Supporting: 2SLGBTQIA+ Families, Parenting and/or Caregiving, BIPGM Families, Immigrant and/or Refugee Families, Low-Income Families, Disabled Persons, Neurodivergent Persons, Chronic and/or Acute Illness(es), Pet Care

About

What languages do you speak?

English and conversational Russian

What is your personal definition of “doula”?

A doula is a support person, an educator, an advocate, and a friend. Someone who you can rely on for physical and emotional support, as well as who can provide any and all information to empower you and your family to make informed decisions and play active roles in your labour, birth, and postpartum experiences. A doula also meets you where you’re at and supports your choices. Doulas offer nourishing care, and an open and receptive heart to be present with you during your birth and postpartum journey. Ultimately, doulas hold space for these sacred moments!

What brought you to birth and postpartum work?

Somewhat recently, I initially felt a ‘nudge’ toward consuming birth and postpartum content (in the form of books and podcasts) out of curiosity. I soon realized I had awakened a buried passion within me. I realized my passion for this work wasn’t just for my interests, but I soon felt a real and deep calling toward birth and postpartum work. During my therapeutic self-exploration, I began to listen to my family’s birth stories as an adult and realized that my family may have had traumatic births and postpartum periods without even knowing it! This inspired me to enter this work with the belief that we can mitigate generational trauma starting from the womb and throughout postpartum.

In a climate of caregiver burnout, how are you caring for yourself?

I always set aside time each day to do something purely for myself, especially activities that activate yin energy and nurture rest. I enjoy spending time outdoors, among the trees and immersed in natural bodies of water; doing restorative yoga; knitting; reading for pleasure; spending time with my partner and cooking nourishing meals.

What is a standout book, movie/tv, etc about the childbearing/parenting journey that you return to?
TVMOVIES
BOOKS
PODCAST

 

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 am dedicated to offering nourishment and compassion to this time-honoured work, as well as bringing in an evidence-based, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive lens. I am honoured to work alongside birthing people, bring community along for the ride, and be a part of this sacred journey, together.

Do you have a preferred location where you typically support births?

I can provide valuable support in any birth setting, whether that is at a hospital or home.

 

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!
  • Three Prenatal Visits → These visits are designed to build a relationship, discuss your birth preferences, address any concerns, and provide education on the birthing process. We’ll cover topics such as pain management techniques, partner support, and what to expect during labour and delivery.
  • Check-ins and Drop-in Visits → Check-ins are phone calls after every (prenatal) medical visit with your provider (especially closer to your due date); drop-ins are in person, on an as-needed basis.
  • Ongoing Support Via Phone, Text, or Email → I’m available via phone, text, or email to address any questions or concerns that arise between our scheduled visits. This ensures you have continuous support throughout your pregnancy and early postpartum period.
  • Brood’s Family Membership → You will gain access to five online courses, our virtual private clubhouse, and the member’s area for ongoing education and support.
  • 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 Support During Labor and Birth → I’ll be by your side continuously during labor and birth, providing steady support throughout the experience.
  • Physical Comfort Measures → I’ll assist with comfort techniques like breathing exercises, massage, positioning, and more to help you feel at ease.
  • Emotional Support → I’m here to listen, reassure, and help you stay grounded, providing compassionate support every step of the way.
  • Informational Support → I’ll share helpful information and answer questions as they arise, helping you feel informed and confident in your decisions.
  • Advocacy for Your Birth Preferences → I’ll advocate for your birth plan, ensuring your voice and preferences are respected by your healthcare team.
  • Communication Assistance → I’ll facilitate clear and open communication between you and your healthcare providers, helping everyone stay aligned with your wishes.
Postpartum Support
  • One Postpartum Visit → Scheduled within the first week after birth, providing ample time to connect and check in on how you’re doing.
  • Birth Experience Reflection → We’ll discuss your birth experience, allowing you to process and reflect in a supportive space.
  • Postpartum Concerns → I’ll address any questions or concerns you may have, covering topics like recovery, self-care, and emotional adjustment.
  • Lactation & Baby Feeding Assistance → I’m here to help with nursing support, offering guidance on latch, positioning, and any initial feeding challenges.
  • Transition Check-In → Together, we’ll assess how you’re adjusting to life with your new baby, discussing any needs or challenges in these early days.

 

Training + Education

BIRTH & POSTPARTUM
  • Labour and Birth Doula Training, Cornerstone Doula Trainings
  • Postpartum Doula Training, Cornerstone Doula Trainings
  • Fetal Positioning for Birthworkers, Cornerstone Doula Trainings
OTHER
  • Emergency Child Care First Aid & CPR/AED Level B, Canadian Red Cross
  • Healthcare Provider CPR-C with AED, St Mark James Training
  • Certified Criminal Record Check, including Vulnerable Sector Screening
  • Carrot Fertility-Approved Doula
WORKSHOPS
FOR YOUR PERSONAL LEARNING, WHAT IS THE WORKSHOP/TRAINING ON YOUR RADAR?
  • Advanced Full Spectrum Birthworker (Doula) Training, Cornerstone Doula Trainings
  • Homebirth for Birthworkers, Cornerstone Doula Trainings

 

Testimonials

 

I want to thank all the staff at Brood for making my 2nd postpartum experience so positive. All the doulas were amazing and helped us overnight for the first couple of months. We had a very difficult newborn phase with our first in 2020, so we reached out to Brood before we welcomed our 2nd and it made such a significant difference. Highly recommend! Special shout out to Roberta & Katya — Kerry O

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