Services
Birth Your Way
Whether this is your first baby, or whether you have given birth before, I will support your birth your way. Whether you are intending to have a vaginal birth, a caesarean, or a vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC), I have extensive experience supporting women in all birthing situations. I can be a supportive presence wherever you choose to birth, whether it's in hospital, at home, or in a birth centre. I can help you cope with your labour, whether you prefer to be all-natural with non-pharmacological pain relief or opt for pain medications such as nitrous oxide or an epidural. My goal is to ensure that you understand the benefits and risks associated with all your options, allowing you to feel confident and empowered in your choice for how you want to experience labour and birth.
Supporting Your Birth Vision
“Whenever and however you intend to give birth, your experience will impact your emotions, your mind, your body, and your spirit for the rest of your life.”
~Ina May Gaskin
I am here for you. My mission is to help you have the most positive and beautiful birth experience. And that starts with your birth vision. In our prenatal meetings, I will get to know you and understand your vision for your birth, learning about your hopes, your wishes, your values, your spiritual needs, your concerns, and your fears. We will discuss exactly how you would like me to support you and what you think my role should be in your birth story. I will respect your care decisions, and help you advocate for yourself in fulfilling them. We will also explore life after the birth in your postpartum period. Together, we will identify and clarify your goals, and discuss all available paths in achieving them. And if you wish, I can help you create a birth intentions document to share with everyone in your care provider team.
Emotional Encouragement
There’s no doubt that birth can be challenging, but I believe in you. I will be a source of calm as you experience the rollercoaster of feelings and emotions in your journey towards meeting your baby. I will be there to remind you of your inner strength and your innate power. I will listen, hold your hand, and protect your sacred space. I will be there to reassure you and help you navigate the dynamic flow and everchanging situations that are part of labour and birth. Through mental preparation, we can also discuss ways to build your resilience if circumstances arise that aren’t a part of your plan. I am familiar with many techniques employed by hypnobirthing, Calmbirth®, and She Births®, such as breath work, guided visualisation, and positive affirmations. After your birth, I will visit you in the hospital or at home and we can debrief about your experience and discuss your emotional well-being during the immediate postpartum period and beyond.
Empowerment with Evidence-Based Knowledge
With over seven years working as a labour, birth, and postpartum nurse, I’m well-versed in the latest evidence-based research about birth. I’m able to provide information on important childbirth basics, such as the signs and stages of labour, effective birthing positions, and options for pain management – both natural and medicinal. While my role is NOT to offer you medical advice, I’m able to present you evidence across a number of topics, including induction, epidurals, estimated fetal weights, vaginal birth after caesareans (VBAC), and active management verses expectant management of maternity care. I will make sure you know about the most recent industry guidelines and the latest high-quality peer-reviewed studies. Then, together we can create a list of items to discuss with your medical provider that communicates your needs, including potential questions to ask. My goal is to help you feel the most informed as possible so that you can be empowered to make the care decisions that are best for you, your baby, and your family.
Practical and Continuous Labour Support
During your labour, I will be there for you as much as you would like. I can come to your home when labour is just beginning, or I can meet you when you feel active labour is coming on and it's time to go to the hospital. In active labour, I will be there continuously supporting you with physical support such as massage, acupressure techniques, and suggesting strategic position changes that can facilitate your baby being in the ideal position for birth. I am well-versed in modalities of Spinning Babies®, Optimal Maternal Positioning, and various other effective labouring and birthing positions.
“By understanding birth physiology better we can help birth be easier.”
~ Gail Tully, Spinning Babies®
Support for Your Birth Partner
Let’s not forget about your birth partner! I provide support for them as well. It can be quite overwhelming for your partner to see you go through the intensity of labour. I can offer them reassurance while teaching them how to support you and help you to relax with massage, light touch, and support positions. I can also provide them respite if they need to take a break, which they may be more inclined to do if they know you are taken care of. In our prenatal meetings, I will encourage them to share their thoughts, concerns, and ask all the questions they need to feel confident about your birth. And of course, at the exciting moment when baby arrives, I can be the go-to photographer, capturing your first moments as a family.
Lactation and Postpartum Support
“Birth is not only about making babies. Birth is about making mothers — strong, competent, capable mothers who trust themselves and know their inner strength.”
~ Barbara Katz Rothman
After your baby has arrived, I will encourage you to use that golden hour and bond with your baby. This is the time when you are skin-to-skin, and your oxytocin is at its peak, and when you feel the most love for your child. I can help you get set with initial breastfeeding if you feel you need assistance. After the birth, I will come back to the hospital to see how you are doing, help you with any tips for feeding, burping, swaddling, nappy changes. When you decide you would like to bathe your baby (whether in the hospital or at home), I can happily show you how. Later, when you are discharged, I will visit you at home on the first or second day and help you acclimate to homelife with your newborn, including caring for baby while you rest, shower, or go for a walk. I can help with older siblings while you need to be with baby or vice versa, and assist with light housework such as cooking, folding laundry, running errands, or whatever you need to make things easy and peaceful at home while you bond with your baby.
