I have a passion for supporting families through pregnancy, birth, and the first year. This passion was ignited when I attended my first birth in May, 2007. Soon afterward, I took both the birth and postpartum doula courses at Douglas College, and certified with DONA international. I have since then also received my Water Birth Credentialing certificate from Water Birth International, and training to assist clients that are choosing hypnosis for labour. I have undertaken training towards my certification as an infant sleep educator, and in the past have been a co-leader for the North Shore chapter of La Leche League Canada (peer-to-peer breastfeeding support). In more recent years, I have also completed advanced doula certification with the Matrona, and have taken additional postpartum training through Motherwit Doula Training.
My husband Paul and I (along with our doula and midwives) welcomed a daughter into the world from a birth pool in our apartment in February, 2009. It was a powerful, life-changing experience. Since then, I have had a desire to learn and observe more about water immersion for labour and birth both in and out of the hospital setting. In October, 2009, I attended a waterbirth credentialing workshop from Waterbirth International. In April, 2013, I gave birth to my son at home in water and it proved to be as grounding and empowering as his sister’s birth.
When I support families through childbirth, I strive to create a birthing environment where they feel safe and in control of their surroundings and experience. When birthing people feel safe and empowered, they are better able to relax and surrender to the birthing process. Childbirth is something a person remembers for the rest of their life. This is something that I always keep in mind as I support families through this amazing journey.
Qualifications
DONA Birth and Postpartum Training – 2007, 2016
Matrona Advanced Doula Certification- 2020 and 2021
Motherwit Postpartum Training – 2020
20 hour Breastfeeding Course for Professionals – 2013
First Aid and CPR Instructor (Lifesaving Society and Red Cross) – 2003-present
Neonatal Resuscitation Program (American Heart and Stroke) – 2014 and audited every couple of years in Vancouver
Water Birth Credentialing – 2009
Hypnobabies Hypno-doula training – 2011
Rebozo Training with Gena Kirby – 2013
Babywearing Training for Professionals – (Canadian Babywearing School 2013, Adjoyn 2023)
Fertility Care Practitioner (2011-2013)
La Leche League Leader – North Vancouver – 2012-2019
Child Passenger Safety Technician (car seat tech) – CPSAC 2015, 2023
Public Committee Member with the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (current)
Past board of directors for Shanti Uganda
Past board of directors for the WOMB Birth Centre Project
Infant Sleep Educator (training in progress)
Creator and facilitator of “Supporting Neonatal Resuscitation” training course for doulas
Previously the Canadian distributor for BabyCare TENS machines and La Bassine Birth Pools and owner of Canadian Birth Products Inc. (2009-2020).
Continuing education is very important to me, and I am often attending conferences around the country to update my skills and remain current in my knowledge.
