Birth Doula

I am currently a midwifery student at UBC and am only accepting clients with estimated due dates in May and June 2024.

I love supporting women through their pregnancies and births. As a doula I get to witness the most amazing miracle that is birth, and I am so happy and honoured to be present and able to help women during this time. To this work I bring my heart, my ears and my hands to see you, to hear you and to hold you.

As your doula I provide:

  • a FREE, no obligation, initial consultation where we can meet, you can ask questions and decide if I am right for you. Book your free consultation now.
  • two prenatal meetings where we will get to know each other. I am very well informed and I am happy to answer any questions, and guide your pregnancy, birth and parenting research should you be interested. 
  • If you have a partner, family member or friend that will be acting as your birth partner they should also attend these meetings. It is my goal to support you and whomever you should invite to your birth, to make this the most important and amazing day of your life.
  • At these meetings we will 
    • examine your birth beliefs, desires, and any anxieties you may have about birth. We will go over your prenatal health and get you the best prepared for an amazing birth. 
    • I will assist you in preparing a birth preferences document to have ready to review with your medical care provider. 
    • I will also share with you birth comfort measures that you may find helpful during your birthing time. Some of these you may find useful to practice during pregnancy.
  • access to my extensive lending library of books and DVDs about pregnancy, childbirth, birth stories, taking care of baby, taking care of yourself, breastfeeding and attachment parenting.
  • I will be available to answer your questions by phone or email up until two weeks after your baby is born.
  • I will be on call from your 37th week onwards until your baby is born. Starting at the point in labour when YOU are ready for me to come over (usually when active labour starts but it could be earlier or later), 
  • I will be by your side providing mental, emotional and physical support as you labour. I will stay with you until after the baby is born (usually about 2 hours after).
  • I am part of the Doulas of Vancouver Birth & Postpartum Collaborative. In the event of an emergency one of my experienced birth doula collaborators will be provided as your back-up doula.
  • The Doulas of Vancouver Birth & Postpartum Collaborative host FREE monthly Info Nights. We will explore a wide range of topics including time tested tips to help you successfully move through your pregnancy, birth, the postpartum and beyond with your growing family. Each month a different Doulas of Vancouver host shares in their area of expertise. Light refreshments provided. For existing clients this is an opportunity to meet the whole team at Doulas of Vancouver.
  • As a client of mine you receive 10% discount on most services and classes offered by Doulas of Vancouver.
  • During your birth 
    • If you are planning for a water birth at home I will bring, setup and take down everything necessary for the waterbirth. This is included in my regular price because I love home water births so much, and because I know it will make your birth that much better.
    • I am comfortable helping with older siblings during the birth.
    • I'm not a professional photographer but I take pretty decent photos and I can take some photos at your birth if you like. Do you like the baby photos on my site? They're my babies and I took the photos :)
  • two postpartum visits (2 hours each) in the days shortly after the baby is born. At these visits we 
    • can talk about the birth and how you feel about it. 
    • I can provide guidance with breastfeeding, care for your baby so you can sleep, practice baby-wearing techniques, make you food, do some light cleaning, help with older siblings, help you with resources moving forward, and/or anything else you think might be helpful.
    • I can provide you with new parenting groups and point you to organizations, and access points with your community.
Call me now 604-440-4201


YOUR BODY

YOUR BIRTH

YOUR BABY

YOUR DECISION

My birth doula support fee is $1650
This includes everything listed to the left. Should you choose to birth at home I will also provide you with a home birth kit. Should you be planning for a water birth I will provide you with everything you need to have a waterbirth at home. This is all included, along with the setup and takedown of the pool.

Sliding scale available for single mothers and families in financial difficulties. Contact me for more information.


How I might help you stay comfortable

By giving you a massage, doing acupressure, various rebozo techniques, suggesting position changes, brushing your hair, queue the music (your playlist), reading you hypnobirth scripts, setting up the TENS unit on your back, taking care of ambiance & lighting, make sure you get some food and water in you, by letting your partner take a nap or break should they need it, holding the shower on your back, hip squeezes, by holding your hand, by giving you encouragement and/or reassurement, by being a calm presence in the room.


Tools of the Trade

To every birth I bring a rebozo, hot and cold packs, a TENS unit,  massage oil, massage tools, deep birth knowledge, aromatherapy essential oils, homeopathy and herbal remedies, all of the HypnoBabies scripts and CDs, Ener-C vitamin & element drink, tricks up my sleeve, energy, stamina, new ideas, a state of awe and most importantly compassion.

At your birth I will:

  • Support you and your chosen birth witnesses mentally, physically and emotionally.
  • Support your decisions and your right to autonomy and choice over your body, your birth and your baby.
  • Do everything within my power to help you feel respected, comfortable and safe.
  • Respect that you and your body know how to birth your baby
  • Protect you and your chosen birth environment from interference, distractions and any other intrusions that will hinder your ability to birth your baby.
  • Advocate for what you want and make sure that your voice is heard.
  • Try my very best to help you realize the birth that you want.
  • Remember, and remind anyone who forgets, that you are a birthing goddess, your birthing time is sacred and the new life that you are bringing forth is a miracle.


At your birth I will NOT:

  • Try to rescue you from your birth.
  • Eliminate your pain.
  • Magically make your birthing time faster.
  • Push my birthing philosophy onto you.
  • Judge you for anything you do or do not do.
  • Make decisions on your behalf.
  • Do any clinical or medical examinations such as take blood pressure, try to move the baby or vaginal exams.

A Birth Doula

  • Recognizes birth as a key experience the mother will remember all her life
  • Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor
  • Assists the woman in preparing for and carrying out her plans for birth
  • Stays with the woman throughout the labor
  • Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures and an objective viewpoint, as well as helping the woman get the information she needs to make informed decisions
  • Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and her clinical care providers
  • Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the woman's memory of the birth experience
  • Allows the woman's partner to participate at his/her comfort level