About
What languages do you speak?
English.
What is your personal definition of “doula”?
To me, a doula is someone who is beside you through deeply transitional periods of life offering guidance, knowledge, nourishment, held space, and individualized holistic care.
What brought you to birth and postpartum work?
It was only after navigating a pregnancy loss experience of my own, that I discovered doula work. First, I learned of abortion doulas and felt a potent reverence for folks doing this work. From there I discovered the whole spectrum of doula work and knew that I wanted to dive deeply into it. I believe no one should have to experience such monumental moments of life operating in survival mode.
In a climate of caregiver burnout, how are you caring for yourself?
Creative expression (knitting, pottery, and sewing), nourishing food, being with animals, gardening, going for walks, and connecting with friends and community. As an introvert, I find or make time to have slow moments at home.
What is a standout book, movie/tv, etc about the childbearing/parenting journey that you return to?
BOOKS
- Why Did No One Tell Me This?: The Doulas’ (Honest) Guide for Expectant Parents by Ash Spivak and Natalia Hailes
- The First 40 Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother by Heng Ou
Training + Education
BIRTH & POSTPARTUM
- Holistic Doula Certificate, Pacific Rim College
- Abortion Doula (Canadian Context), BADT Training
OTHER
- Healthcare Provider CPR-C with AED
- Certified Criminal Record Check, including Vulnerable Sector Screening
- Carrot Fertility-Approved Doula
WORKSHOPS
- 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?
- Capstone Canada with Cornerstone Birthwork Trainings!
Testimonials
We had a really great experience with Brood. All of the doulas are lovely, friendly, caring, and helpful, and Brood was very accommodating of our scheduling needs—especially when we needed shifts switched or added. Our doula, Kristy, was amazing. She took charge of us in those first few weeks when everything was a blur, and this was exactly what we needed as first-time parents. We had a mix of nighttime and daytime care, and initially, the night shifts were essential. Having our doula there allowed my partner to get a full night’s rest, I was well supported overnight, and our baby was carefully watched and cared for. Eventually, as he started sleeping through the night, we changed to daytime shifts so we could run errands, attend appointments, or simply rest. We’re so grateful to have had the help. Thank you, Kristy!— Alaina O
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. Kristy, 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 wellbeing at the top of their list. Thank you, Brood—and thank you Kristy—for everything. You simply are the best. We take a bow to you 🙂 — From everyone: Presthaya, Conrad, Baby Freya (& Mary).
Kristy came to help with our son shortly after he was born. From the very first day, we all felt her calm and caring nature. We feel so lucky to have had her helping us for the past half a year! Her willingness to do anything has been greatly appreciated, often without having to be asked. She has shown undivided attention and nurturing to our son and has filled the gaps in our day-to-day lives seamlessly. She has offered invaluable guidance and advice, and our first baby worries are always calmed. We would highly recommend Kristy to support any new families! She has always been on time, is incredibly well organized, and her gentle demeanour is very helpful. We will all miss her and wish her the very best! — Annie C-H
I reached out to the Brood Care team after the postpartum doula I had previously arranged fell through. Although it was very last minute, Lizzy was able to find me a postpartum doula on the team to provide night support for us 4 months. Our doula, Kristy, was amazing! Her calm and warm energy allowed us to trust her to take care of our baby boy so we could get some much-needed rest. We ended up extending our contract and Kristy was great about schedule flexibility as well. I couldn’t recommend Brood enough! This was my second postpartum experience and it was so much more enjoyable thanks to the Brood team; we felt supported and cared for! — Robyn Marzban
We had postpartum doula support overnight through Brood, coordinated through Lizzy. We had good and timely communication and they were flexible with dates when our baby came early. Our doulas were Emily and Kristy, both were so kind and we were comfortable having them in our home. They really helped with those first few weeks helping rock my newborn to sleep so that I could get some sleep. I also found the online resources exclusive to Brood clients so helpful. I 1000000% recommend Brood. Thank you for being a game-changing part of my postpartum journey! 🙂 — Isabel C
