Update

I am very excited to report that I will be traveling to New Zealand in early 2009 to study midwifery! It's been my dream for a long time now to become a midwife and I am so excited. I'm still taking doula clients, so if you want a birth doula and your due date falls before December 2008, and/or you're wanting a postpartum doula, please don't hesitate to contact me!


My Training

I have taken the Labour Support Doula training program recognized by DONA International as the standard in doula training.

Topics of the postpartum course included:

  - the role of the doula
  - benefits of doula care
  - significance of birthing in a woman's life
  - challenges of labour
  - unexpected outcomes
  - cesarean birth
  - VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean)
  - sensitive labour support
  - comfort measures during labour

In addition to the Labour Support Doula training I have taken, I have also taken a course entitled Massage for Pregnancy, Labour, and Delivery through Douglas College. The completion of that course allowed me to learn specialized massage techniques to better help labouring women cope with pain and move smoothly through labour and delivery.

Topics of the massage course included:

  - review of women’s anatomy
  - understanding normal developments during pregnancy, labour, delivery
  - understanding indications and contraindications of massage for a woman in late pregnancy
  - understanding indications and contraindications of massage for a woman during labour
  - applying the basic principles of massage
  - applying the components of massage
  - understanding appropriate client positioning during late pregnancy
  - giving an appropriate massage for a women in labour
  - giving an appropriate massage for a medicated birth
  - having skills and techniques to assist women for pain management during labour

In June of 2007 I completed the Breastfeeding Course for Healthcare Providers through Douglas College. This 13-week course covered all aspects of breastfeeding management and support.

Topics of the breastfeeding course included:

  - anatomy and physiology of lactation
  - breastfeeding counselling skills
  - evidence-based practice and breastfeeding management
  - current research in lactation
  - challenges in breastfeeding and solution strategies
  - hands-on experience with breastfeeding mothers

Finally, in November of 2007 I completed the DONA International Postpartum Doula training program through Douglas College. This course allowed me to learn valuable skills that went beyond my birth doula training, to helping my clients through the early postpartum period of adjusting to their new baby and motherhood.

Topics of the postpartum course included:

  - impact of postpartum doula support on early parenting success
  - helping women process the birth experience
  - commonly-experienced physical postpartum changes
  - support for families with twins, triplets, and more
  - breastfeeding facts, practices, and support strategies
  - changing roles within the family
  - postpartum mood disorders
  - newborn needs and appearance
  - grief and loss

Though every birth is unique, these skills allow me to be confident in the benefit of my support for the labouring and mothering woman and her family. However, I believe the most important skills I have are that of compassion, comforting touch, knowledge, and most of all my lovee for the joy and miracle of birth.