About
What languages do you speak?
English
What is your personal definition of “doula”?
A doula is an essential part of your village, supporting and caring for you and your loved ones during life’s most transformative moments. A doula is an embodiment of their work, tending to their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing so they can show up and hold you to a greater depth. A doula is a care worker with a beautiful heart who shows up with hands outstretched and says, “I’ve got you”, so that you can focus on what matters most. They are a sounding board, a friend, a shoulder to cry on. They bring a unique blend of knowledge, intuition, and education rooted in human connection and authentic love.
What brought you to birth and postpartum work?
When I was a kid, I would often ask my mom for the “baby book”—a hefty 1994 copy of the Mayo Clinic Complete Book of Pregnancy and Baby’s First Year. I’d lie on her bed for hours, flipping through the pages in complete awe of the photos and the few words I could read. I also spent countless hours caring for my baby dolls and helping with my younger siblings. In many ways, this work has always lived inside me.
As I grew older, I became drawn to NICU nursing and midwifery, thinking that path would lead me to where I wanted to be. While that route didn’t unfold the way I imagined, I eventually completed my Birth & Postpartum Doula training with DONA International and later with Douglas College. I like to say I’ve always found my way back to this work, no matter where life has taken me.
Today, I’m a full-time nanny to a wonderful family with twin boys. Being part of their postpartum journey has reignited my passion for birth and postpartum care—and that’s what brought me here today.
In a climate of caregiver burnout, how are you caring for yourself?
I wholeheartedly believe in prioritizing my well-being so that I can show up in alignment and support you from a grounded place of presence, attunement, and awareness. For me, this means engaging in supportive practices like journaling, meditating, breathwork, and intentional time in nature— hiking mountain trails, paddle-boarding on the island’s lakes, and reconnecting with myself and the world around me. It also means staying mindful of what burnout feels like and knowing when to slow down and return to stillness.
What is a standout book, movie/tv, etc about the childbearing/parenting journey that you return to?
BOOK
For me, the standout book will always be the 1994 Mayo Clinic Complete Book of Pregnancy and Baby’s First Year—it holds deep personal meaning and was my earliest introduction to the world of birth and parenting.
More recently, I often return to The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother by Heng Ou and Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin. Both offer grounding, wisdom-filled perspectives on the childbearing journey!
Training + Education
BIRTH & POSTPARTUM
- Doula Training Program, Douglas College Continuing Education
- Childbirth Educator Program Skills Workshop, Douglas College Continuing Education
- Breastfeeding (Nursing) Workshop, DONA International
- Birth and Postpartum Doula Workshop, DONA International
- Racial Equity and Inequities in Birthwork Course, DONA International
- Early Childhood Educator Assistant, Grant MacEwan University
OTHER
- Breathwork Facilitator, Pause Breathwork
- Healthcare Provider CPR-C with AED
- Certified Criminal Record Check, including Vulnerable Sector Screening
- Carrot Fertility-Approved Doula
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?
I’m keeping an eye out for workshops/trainings that explore the connection between somatic work and the perinatal period – I’m so curious how somatic practices and approaches can support both birthing people and practitioners! As well as all the workshops/roundtables that Brood has to offer.
