About
What languages do you speak?
English and basic Spanish.
What is your personal definition of “doula”?
A trusted, knowledgeable, and caring support person. Someone who feels like a friend or extended family member with a specific lens on the birth/postpartum/caregiving stages of life. Someone to remind parents that their health and well-being are just as important as their new family members.
What brought you to birth and postpartum work?
Having a baby. In a pandemic. Realizing that society is lacking immensely in the care of our birth givers and caregivers. And seeing that it can be possible with community help to do so much better for our growing families, for their long-term health and well-being.
In a climate of caregiver burnout, how are you caring for yourself?
Regularity with scheduling, weekends off with my family, visiting with friends and family again. Finding and connecting with birth worker communities. Being outside and enjoying nature, gardening, yoga, and cooking.
What is a standout book, movie/tv, etc about the childbearing/parenting journey that you return to?
BOOK
- The First 40 Days – Heng Ou, with Amely Greeven and Marisa Belger
MOVIE
- Birth Time
PODCAST
- Good Inside with Dr. Becky
- The Birth Bruja Podcast
Trainings
POSTPARTUM
- Postpartum Training & Certification, Nesting Doula Collective.
- Postpartum Doula Training, Birthing Advocacy.
- Communication & Counselling for Perinatal Health Care Professionals Certificate, Douglas College.
- 20-Hour Nursing Course: Foundational Concepts Certificate, Douglas College.
- CPR-C First Aid
- Certified KangaTraining Instructor
POST-SECONDARY
- Culinary Arts Degree.
- Foodsafe Level 1 & 2.
- 200hr Yoga Teacher Training, Vancouver School of Healing Arts.
FOR YOUR PERSONAL LEARNING, WHAT IS THE WORKSHOP/TRAINING ON YOUR RADAR?
- Lactation Doula Mentorship with Shaz.
- Wholebody Pregnancy Childbirth Ed Course, with Erika Davis.
- Birthing Beyond the Binary, with king yaa.
Testimonials
Brood strikes again! I used Brood’s Doula service with my first pregnancy in 2020 for about 5 to 6 overnight visits which nearly saved my bleary-eyed postpartum life. Covid isolation sucks. With baby number two I wasn’t messing around and got the full meal deal. I have never felt so supported and felt genuine, love, interest, and care in the outcomes of my newborn baby. We had a health scare early on and our postpartum doulas were nothing short of heroes. I cannot recommend this service enough. We are blessed to be able to afford it and if I could go back in time, Brood gift cards would be the only thing I would’ve put on my baby registry. Thank you, Brood for giving me the gift of sleep, advice, and late-night hang time. You made my second postpartum journey, a breeze and allowed me to truly enjoy my little one. I can’t thank you all enough. — Liz M
Ana-Luz was instrumental in postpartum healing for me. Her caring presence hands allowed me to bond with my son Julian, most importantly. By helping out in whichever ways were needed around the home, her energy always matched what was needed. A quiet space to catch up on some sleep. Taking a nap together with Julian to organizing and tidying all the various baby goods. Doing dishes, making the yummiest kale chips, even vacuuming with a smile. And those conversations of insight and knowing that only parents can understand fully. Having walked a similar path just shortly before herself, I felt understood, like I didn’t have to explain. So important when time and energy are short and sleep deprivation is setting in. Thanks so much, Ana-Luz!
