My birth philosophy
I trust birth, in all its beautiful intricacy, and I trust in the strength and wisdom and power of women. Birth is normal, and natural, and women are made for it. I know how birth can be feared and misunderstood in our culture- how a lifetime of “Hollywood childbirth” can leave mothers fearful of labour, and partners feeling helpless in their supportive role. I know that with support, expectant parents can build the confidence and skills they will need to enter this transformative time with confidence in their ability to cope with labour’s intensity. With support, parents can prepare for and approach birth with their unique philosophy and goals, but also be prepared to cope with the unexpected, so they can birth in awareness and empowerment, regardless of how it unfolds.
As a birth doula, I provide non-judgmental support. I am here to support you. I support your educated and informed choices- your ideal birth as you define it. I offer my mind, my heart, and my hands to support you and your partner, to help you achieve a beautiful, memorable, and empowering experience as you make the transition to parenthood.
My Qualifications
I am a certified birth doula through DONA International. I hold professional memberships with DONA International, the Nova Scotia Doulas Association, and La Leche League Canada, and am a founding member of the Canadian Association of Placenta Services Providers. I am a certified Reiki Level II practitioner, and bring this healing to my birth and placenta clients. I sit on several committees in our birth community, and regularly participate in continuing education through our Health Authority, the Nova Scotia Doulas Association, and the Chebucto Family Centre. More details…
My path to becoming a doula
My passion for childbirth developed as my husband and I were ready to begin our family. Through the joy of pregnancy and my curiosity for all things biology, I started reading everything I could get my hands on about pregnancy and childbirth. Spiritual Midwifery and Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth were pivotal in kindling my passion for normal birth, and actually made me excited for labour, instead of fearful of it. I began my training as a birth doula, loving every new insight, learning so much, anticipating my own birth. Unfortunately, I suffered two miscarriages and started to doubt my body’s ability to carry and birth a baby. Still, I was carried away in my newfound passion for doula work, confident that this was my path.
My first two experiences serving as a birth doula were for two of my dearest friends. Those two births were life-changing for me, confirming my calling as a doula, and were healing for me emotionally, as well. I became pregnant again, continued serving as a doula thorough my pregnancy, and completed my certification. I went on to birth my healthy boy, supported by my husband, my midwife, my mother (who is also a doula), and my sister. My birth experience was wonderful and empowering despite unforeseen medical complications, and gave me a confidence that I carry into motherhood. I feel blessed and honoured, proud and humbled to be a mother and doula.
My path to Placenta Medicines was sparked several years ago when a friend shared with me her experiences of her postpartum recovery, aided by placenta pills. Although I knew that most mammals consumed their placentas, the thought of humans doing so had never crossed my mind before. I was intrigued, and started reading up on placenta encapsulation, and discovered other remedies in my reading as well. I was amazed at the long history and success of Placenta Remedies in Traditional Chinese Medicine and from other cultures around the globe! I began studying placenta remedies, joined a community of Placenta Services Providers from across Canada and Internationally who I continue to learn from, and began offering Placenta Services. I firmly and enthusiastically believe in the benefits of Placenta Remedies for postpartum recovery, and am excited to offer this service to mothers in Nova Scotia.
