Holistic Birth Doula in Chilliwack, BC
You deserve to be held, supported, heard, and respected throughout your journey into parenthood. A doula is hired by you, to do those very things.
From the time I join your team I am a listening ear, a wealth of information (should you want it), and a calming presence of encouragement as you find your inner wisdom. I will get to know what's most important to you, so that I can advocate for your wants and wishes throughout your pregnancy and your birthing experience. You know yourself best, I will support your choices.
Birth Doula Package Includes:
45 minute phone or video consultation at no charge, to see if we're a good fit.
2 in person prenatal visits. We get down to what's most important for you (and your partner) in this pregnancy and birth journey. These visits can include fear release, meditation, childbirth education, discovering your values, partner prep, and more.
Unlimited support from time of hire until about four weeks postpartum. Call, text, or email when you have questions, concerns, or updates to share.
On-call for birth support starting at 37 weeks gestation. Weekly check-ins from this point until your baby is born.
During your birth process, I will play a supportive role for you (and your partner if you have one), encouraging and standing with you. I will help you to feel calm and safe, so that you can follow your body's instincts and urges. I provide comfort as needed, with such things as massage, Reiki, reflexology, supporting your movement, and pain relief techniques, including use of a TENS unit and birth pool. I will act as a calming presence throughout your journey, staying until a few hours after your baby is born.
2 postpartum visits to support you as you adjust to life at home with your new baby. This can include basic breast/chestfeeding support, help with newborn care (first bath, nail clipping, babywearing), and more. These visits are also a great opportunity for you to enjoy a foot reflexology session!
$1500 (includes use of birth pool and accessories, if desired)
If you are Indigenous and seeking doula care, $1200 of your doula fee can be covered through the DAFGP (Doulas for Aboriginal Families Grant Program). The remainder of the fee is negotiable.You can call, email, or text me for more information. (See my Contact page.)
Doula Q&A
What is a doula?
Nowadays, doulas are privately hired professionals who assist pregnant and birthing people and new parents. We basically fill the role that aunties, grandmas, moms, and sisters used to play when supporting young women as they became mothers.
What does a doula do?
Doulas provide support during pregnancy, helping people to prepare for birth. There are so many things to learn and to decide about when it comes to giving birth. It can be much less stressful if you have someone to explain each test, each intervention, each 'what if' that may be worrying you. Someone who can make the learning fun, and help you to understand what your heart already knows: birth is natural and normal, and you can do this.
Doulas provide support during the birth process. You will likely have nurses, midwives, and/or doctors taking care of your medical needs. We are the ones who make sure you feel seen and heard. We are the ones giving you sips of water to keep you hydrated, rubbing your shoulders to help you relax between sensations, and saying 'You're doing so well,' when you need to hear it. We encourage you to follow your body, tapping into your own instincts and ways of coping, and adding our comfort techniques when needed. We will learn your preferences about using pain medication, and support you in your choices. We are skilled at making partners feel useful and taken care of during labour, so that they can be there for you. We make sure you understand the risks and benefits of interventions that may be suggested, so that you can make informed decisions.
As a full-spectrum doula, I also support people who are dealing with loss or termination of pregnancy by providing in-person support if desired, and sharing local resources for additional support.
When should I hire you?
When you are ready to add someone to your support team! It's completely up to you. Keep in mind that pregnancy can sometimes have unexpected surprises, and having someone to talk to and ask questions of can be a big relief along the way. So, if you want support from the moment you get a positive test, that works for me. I offer monthly online visits as part of my package, so the sooner you hire me, the more of these you'll get!
Is a doula like a midwife?
Not really. Midwives and doulas may share common views about birth, but their jobs are not the same.
Midwives take care of all of your medical needs during pregnancy and birth, as a doctor would do, with more time and attention. And tea.
Doulas take care of helping you and your partner to feel confident, to feel prepared, to feel that extra level of being cared for. We believe that our work perfectly complements the work of midwives, and we love working with them! Here are a few of the midwifery clinics we work with:
Will having a doula make my partner feel less involved?
Not at all! In fact, hiring a doula is a great way to make sure that your partner WILL be confidently involved, as part of our role is to teach them ways to keep you comfortable during both pregnancy and the birth process. We love to have partners present throughout the process, from initial interview to final postpartum visit, so that they can get to know us and benefit from our knowledge, training, and support as well.
We know that people in the birth process need to feel safe and loved in order for their bodies to be able to roll with the hormonal flow that labour requires. Your partner (or mother, brother, sister, friend) is the perfect person to make sure that you feel safe and loved. We join you as the expert on labour and birth, so that your birth partner can focus on loving you as you do this amazing thing.
Do you only attend home births?
No! I support people wherever they feel most comfortable giving birth. I have all certifications required to be able to join people in any hospital, if needed.
What is your personal philosophy of birth?
I believe that birth is a non-medical physiological process which most often doesn't require medical management or intervention. I believe that our bodies are wise, and they know how to birth a baby just as they know how to grow one. With that said, I also understand that there are times when true complications arise, and I am grateful that medical interventions do exist to keep everyone safe. I believe that what people need most as they prepare to give birth is to have a strong feeling of trust and safety with the team they have chosen to care for them.
Are you a mother?
Yes! My kids are now 8 and 9.5 years old. I have given birth twice, once in the hospital and once in my home. I also had a miscarriage at eleven weeks gestation, and a vanished twin in my final pregnancy. These different experiences have shaped me into the woman and mother I am. (See my blog for some of my story.)
How long have you been working as a doula?
I have supported around 80 families in the past 7 years, through all kinds of birth journeys.