What Is A Doula?

a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to a mother before, during and shortly after childbirth to help her achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible.

- DONA International

MY STORY

My informal beginnings as a doula started when I was only 12 years old, attending the birth of my younger brother and less than two years later at the birth of my youngest sister.

My formal training began in February of 2010 in Victoria, BC., where I completed the DONA International Birth Doula Certification program and became a DONA Certified Birth Doula in March of 2012.

In July 2021 I started working towards the Postpartum Doula Certification which I completed in May of 2024 which means I am now a dual certified birth and postpartum doula through DONA. I don't currently accept birth clients as I just can't give the kind of commitment that's necessary while my children are so young.

​In 2014 I stepped back and paused my career so that I could take the time to birth my babies and nurture my own family while living abroad. Throughout these years I've worked very selectively with only close friends, family members or mothers who were really struggling and needed immediate support. With our return to Canada in 2021 I've felt so excited to reinvigorate my passion and assist families in navigating the exhilarating, and sometimes overwhelming, experience of birth and especially the postpartum period.

I'm now a mother to two sons and a daughter, my first son was born in Abu Dhabi, UAE., with the assistance of my husband, doula and hospital staff. My second son was born in Kelowna, BC., at home with my two midwives and my husband. My daughter was born in a birthing pool at a hospital in Dubai, UAE., with my husband, midwives and hospital staff present.

Photo credit above: Malakai Photography (Sylvan Lake, AB.)