Birth Doulas provide physical, emotional and informational support throughout pregnancy, birth and the postpartum journey for the birthing person and their family. Numerous clinical studies have found that a Doula’s presence at a birth results in shorter labors with fewer complications, reduces negative feelings about one’s childbirth experience, reduces the need for pitocin (a labor-inducing drug), forceps or vacuum extraction and cesarean births and reduces the mother’s request for pain medication and/or epidurals. But a Doula is so much more than what a clinical study can convey. A Doula is someone to call in pregnancy when you’ve been googling and can’t find the answer to a question (or better yet, someone to call before you hit google, because you know that can be a bad idea). A Doula is someone you develop a bond with, can release your fears to and talk to about your dream birth. A Doula will hold your hand and help you feel safe when the sensations are strong. A Doula is someone who can show your partner how to get more involved and reassure them that the noises you’re making are completely normal. A Doula visits you at home, talks about your birth for the potentially 100th time (and loves it) and helps you navigate those early days of parenting a newborn. The benefit of a Birth Doula much outweighs the cost when it comes to one of the most important days in your life… A day you will remember above most.

As early as you’d like to start receiving support. We know very well that a million little (or big) questions can come up in pregnancy. Having someone to direct those questions to, instead of the google monster, is one major benefit of hiring a Doula earlier rather than later. Hiring a Doula early in your pregnancy also gives you more time to get to know the person who will be with you in some intimate and vulnerable moments, enhancing that bond and making sure your whole family will feel comfortable. One last consideration is that we take on a limited amount of clients each month, so booking early ensures we’ll have the availability to serve you and your family.

SUVANNAH: Childbirth Educator Certification Bebo Mia / 2018 Maternal Support Practitioner BeboMia / 2017 CPR C for Doulas Safe Beginnings / 2017 JULIE: Certified HypnoBirthing Childbirth Educator HypnoBirthing: The Mongan Method International / 2017 Spinning Babies Workshop Spinning Babies / 2017 Novice Rebozo Credential Gena Kirby University for Doulas and Birth Professionals / 2017 Cultured Doula Program Gena Kirby University for Doulas and Birth Professionals / 2017 TENS Machines for Labor Big Belly Services / 2017 Childbirth Educator International Childbirth Educators Association (ICEA) /2016 Birth Doula Birth Arts International / 2015 Postpartum Doula DONA International / 2015 Certified Lactation Educator Simkin Centre / 2015 Birth Doula Training (and Certification) DONA International / 2013 CPR C For Doulas Safe Beginnings / 2017 First Aid Level 1 St. Johns Ambulance / 2017 Mental Health First Aid Canadian Mental Health Association / 2011 Registered Yoga Teacher 200hr Yoga Alliance / 2017

Taking the place of your partner, a person you have a deep personal connection with, is counter productive to a Doulas job to help you feel safe, supported and calm. A Doula often does the opposite! A Doula can help your partner become more involved in the birth by preparing them prenatally for their role as an emotional and physical support, by role modeling support methods at the birth and by reassuring them of what normal birth can look like. A Doula can also ensure your partner gets rest, eats and uses the restroom without fear of leaving you alone, and therefore be a better, more comfortable support person for you throughout the birth. Click here to read more about how Dads and Doulas work together.

The answer to this question also addresses one of our values; your birth is not our birth. We believe you should experience your pregnancy and birth the way you want it, not the way your Doula wants it, your friend wants it, your Doctor of Midwife wants it, or your family wants it. Our support reflects this. The choice to use pain medications as a tool in your labor and birth, as well as all the other choices you will make throughout this process are completely yours to make. Bottomline – no matter what you chose, we will support you without bias!