Paula Schikkerling is a Registered Midwife and IBCLC (lactation consultant) specializing in postpartum for families choosing to birth with an OB/GYN or family doctor. She offers in-home clinical care for both the baby and birthing parent from the point of hospital discharge until 6 weeks postpartum, at which point clients would return to the care of their usual family doctor. Her services are fully covered by MSP and would replace the need to take a newborn baby to the doctor’s office. If you are interested in her services, please contact her directly.
Paula also offers 1:1 breastfeeding consults as an IBCLC both in-person and over tele-health. Some visits may be covered by MSP depending on the age of the baby. Inquire for more info.
I developed an interest in doula and midwifery work in my early twenties and began formal training in 2004 with Douglas College’s Birth & Postpartum Doula Courses. I began attending births and supporting families with newborn care, breast & bottle feeding and adjusting to early parenting in 2005. I continued this work while finishing a Bachelor of Arts in Women’s Studies in 2010, and then going on to complete a Bachelor of Midwifery in 2015, both at UBC. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to pair my love of travel with my passion for birth, volunteering at hospitals, clinics & birth centres in the Philippines, Uganda and South Africa. For the last few years, I’ve been practicing midwifery on Vancouver Island, Vancouver, and the Tri-Cities.
I have always been passionate about supporting choice in maternity care and I approach my work with a keen interest in learning what is meaningful and important to each client in order to provide the best care possible. I bring a commitment to providing support that allows each client and their family to be present with the process as it unfolds – and to feel empowered, safe and heard. It is an honour to work closely with families during such a transformative and meaningful time in their lives.
Qualifications
IBCLC – Board Certified Lactation Consultant – 2021
Bachelor of Midwifery – Faculty of Medicine, UBC 2015
Bachelor of Arts – Women’s Studies, UBC 2010
Douglas College Perinatal Program:
– DONA Birth Doula Training – 2004
– DONA Postpartum Doula Training – 2004
– 40hr Breastfeeding Course for Health Care Providers – 2009
– Annual Breastfeeding Education Day – 2009, 2010
Fir Square Inter-professional Doula Program – 2010 – 2011
Neonatal Resuscitation Program – annually since 2012
CPR for Healthcare Providers – biennially since 2012
Seven Generations Cultural Safety Training – 2016
Indigenous Cultural Competency Training – 2015
Supporting Normalcy in Childbirth Workshop with Penny Simkin – 2009