PRENATAL
DOULA SERVICES
LABOUR & BIRTH
POSTPARTUM
Providing continuous emotional and physical support during labour.
Assisting partners in supporting the mother.
Ensuring that you are informed and that your birth preferences are communicated to medical staff.
Ensuring that your families practical needs are met while in hospital.
Assisting with initial breastfeeding and bonding as well as ongoing breastfeeding and baby care support.
Providing emotional support to new parents.
Providing information and appropriate resources to new parents.
Debriefing the labour and birth experience.
DOULA SERVICES
PRENATAL
Preparing for birth can feel overwhelming. Understanding your options, knowing what to expect, and deciding what your priorities are in advance can help you feel confident and prepared on the big day. I help you learn how to ask the right questions and communicate your preferences so that they are are known and respected.
There is a ton of information about labour and birth out there, but sifting through it takes time. I can give you personalized and reliable information about everything labour, birth, and babies. I also have access to relevant, evidence-based information and resources to help your family throughout the process, including an extensive lending library.
Information is important, but nothing is going to ease your labour on the day better than hands-on pain management. I teach you and your partner coping techniques like positions, breathing, massage, pressure points, and other tips to help ease your labour. Even before I arrive, you will have the knowledge and practical experience to manage your pain.
Birth is unpredictable. Being with you when and where you need me is my priority. I am lucky enough to have an incredible support system which allows me to get to you with very little notice. I am available and on call for you at all times, whether you are in labour or not. I also work with reliable backup doulas so you can feel confident that you will get the support you need, when you need it.
LABOUR & BIRTH
Whether you have a doctor or midwife, plan on giving birth at home or in hospital, you will likely not have a professional to support you consistently, especially in those early hours. One of a doula's most valuable roles is showing up and staying. You don't need to be at a certain dilation or contraction pattern, I come to you when and where you need me. I won't leave until after your baby is born and your family is settled and comfortable.
Labour is tough on partners too. Seeing someone you love in pain is never easy, add to that all the unknowns of birth, and almost anyone would feel overwhelmed. I help partners understand what is happening and reassure them when they need it. I assist partners in supporting the mother as well as looking after themselves. I encourage partners to take an active role in the labour process and help to facilitate this.
Birth is full of unknowns, and no matter how prepared you are, situations will arise that you couldn't have predicted. I ensure that you are being fully informed throughout the process about what is happening and what your options are. I help you ask the right questions and communicate effectively with medical staff.
When you're in labour, your family's practical needs are often put on the back burner. I recognize that things like eating, resting, and tidying can often be forgotten. I help take care of the details so you can focus on managing your labour.
POSTPARTUM
Your first hours with your new baby are so important. Whether it's supporting you with breastfeeding or making sure you're given space, I help you make the most of this special time with your baby.
The first few days and weeks with a new baby can be challenging, especially for first time parents. I support you after the birth of your baby by providing practical, hands-on help with things like breastfeeding and baby care.
Birth is only the beginning, and as a parent there will always be new challenges to face. Whether your baby is a day old or a year old, I am always available to parents for any kind of support you need.
Sometimes labour does not go the way parents had hoped. Having a healthy baby is important, but so is how you feel about your experience. I can help you to reconcile your feelings around what you were expecting and your actual birth experience.
There are tons of great resources out there for new parents, but finding the right ones can take a lot of research. I have access to a huge network of local professionals and experts who are able to provide information that is specific to you and your needs. I can help you find and access the right support for your family.
BIRTH DOULA PACKAGE
$1675
-
Prenatal Visits - I'll meet with your family twice before your due date; usually around 35 weeks and again around 37 weeks. This is our opportunity to get to know eachother a little more before the big day. We'll talk about things like what to expect during labour, birth, and the immediate postpartum period. We can discuss some of decisions and challenges that may come up, as well as help you to prioritize you wishes. This is also our opportunity to practice hands-on pain management techniques. After our visits you will feel prepared and confident to take on the challenges of birth.
-
When You Are In Labour - I come to you whenever and wherever you would like my support. This means that you don't need to be at a certain dilation or contraction pattern for me to join you. I will stay with you and your family throughout your entire labour, all the way through to that last push. I won't leave until after your baby is born and you are settled and comfortable with your new baby.
-
Postpartum Visits - I'll visit your family in your home twice after your baby is born. The first visit is usually a few days after the birth or after to get home from the hospital. I usually do a second visit after partners go back to work, or within the first month of your baby's life. These visits are our opportunity to check in around practical things like breastfeeding and baby care. It's also when we can see if there is any more support your family would like going forward. Package includes TENS rental.
POSTPARTUM DOULA SERVICES
Whether your baby is one day old or one year old, being a parent can be exhausting and overwhelming. One of the biggest challenges for new parents is taking care of themselves. Finding time for everyday tasks like like laundry, cleaning, shopping, and eating can be difficult; nevermind sleeping, showering, or even taking a couple hours to yourself. Who cares for your baby is always important, but caring for infants can be particularly challenging; so it's especially important that the person you choose to trust with your baby is knowledgeable, experienced, and competent.
Hourly Rates: $35 Daytime & $40 Overnight
FREE CONSULTATION
I would love to get together to chat to see how I can support your family. I can meet you wherever is most comfortable and convenient for you. Our first meeting is a free consultation and does not obligate you to use my services.
PLACENTA SERVICES
The postpartum period can be full of challenges. Encapsulating your placenta can give you a head start in your recovery and adjusting to your new life.
Consuming your placenta:
-
Prevents and lessens the risk of postpartum depression, anxiety and the “baby blues”
-
Assists in bringing your hormones back into balance
-
Increases milk supply and helps establish healthy early breastfeeding
-
increases energy and decreases fatigue
-
Increases iron and decreases the likelihood of postpartum anemia
-
Helps the uterus to contract to it’s normal size
-
Assists in managing pain from birth
-
Helps you to recover more quickly from birth
-
Shortens the period of postpartum bleeding
Placentas are always processed with the utmost care in a sanitary and safe environment. They are handled only by an IPPA trained placenta specialist certified in Foodsafe and Blood-Borne Pathogen Safety.
ENCAPSULATION
Your placenta is dehydrated either raw or steamed using the traditional Chinese medicine method. The dehydrated placenta is then ground into a fine powder and put in capsules. Capsules can be stored and taken for up to 6 months.
TINCTURES
A small piece of your placenta is infused into a high quality alcohol. Tinctures can be stored and used my mother and daughter long into the future. A few drops under the tongue can help with hormonal and emotional regulation during times of physical changes or stress.
BALMS
Your dehydrated and ground placenta is mixed with a variety of natural oils, butters and beeswax. The balm can be used topically for scars, stretch marks, sore and cracked nipples, diaper rash, and a variety of other skin ailments. It is also a natural and effective anti-aging treatment.
ART
Beautifully colored or simple prints of your placenta can be made using food safe pigments or photographed in unique ways. Your baby's umbilical cord can be dried to create permanent keepsakes.
PLACENTA ENCAPSULATION PACKAGES
Starter Package - $275
Includes Placenta Encapsulation
Essentials Package - $300
Includes Placenta Encapsulation and Tincture
Premium Package - $325
Includes Placenta Encapsulation, Tincture and Balm
Ultimate Package - $350
Includes Placenta Encapsulation, Tincture, Balm, and One Art Print
A pick-up/delivery fee may apply for locations outside our service area.
ABOUT ME
After graduating with a bachelor's degree in psychology I started working for non-profits supporting people with their mental health and addiction challenges. This work is where my passion for helping people was born.
In 2015 my best friend found out she was pregnant with her first baby. Early on she asked if I would be with her during the labour and birth. I recognized that this was a huge responsibility and honor, so I set out to learn everything I could about pregnancy and birth. This was when I first read the word "Doula".
When my friend's labour began I was able to remain by her side and support her from the first contraction through to the birth of her beautiful baby girl the next day. It was during this process that I fell in love with supporting families through this life-changing experience. I have never felt so vital and useful.
That day a baby and a doula were born!
I'm having a hard time writing this because I honestly cannot put into words how much I recommend and love Whitney as a doula. She was along side me during my pregnancy, birth, and after the birth. If you're looking for someone that is caring, knowledgable, supportive, honest, and FUN, Whitney is your gal. What I loved most about her was her ability to turn my anxiety into laughter, reassure me when I needed it, keep it real, and make me feel comfortable every step of the way. She also was a great support for my husband during the entire process (many people forget about them!) and she truly, deeply cares. If I have a second baby, Whitney will be the first person I call because I truly can't imagine going through another birth without her. Thank you for everything, Whitney!
Birth is full of unknowns, but having a good team helps you navigate while feeling loved and supported. When I first met with Whitney she impressed me with her non assuming approach but also her knowledge and professionalism. She listened to my concerns and had suggestions and a bag full of tools to use to help cope with labour. My husband and I appreciated her energetic personality but also her calm presence when we needed it.
Whitney was incredible during my wife's labor and I was so happy that she was there with us. Without her support I'm not sure what we would have done. My wife's labor was 48 hours long and Whitney was there with us for the whole ride which had many terrifying twists and turns. Hiring her was one the best decisions I've ever made.
TESTIMONIALS
People often suggest having a doula. We cannot imagine that doula being anyone else but Whitney.
From our very first meeting with Whitney, we felt her genuine sense of care, professionalism, and expertise. It was as though we had been friends for years. Whitney was always there to support via text, phone call, and in person. On the day of the birth, Whitney provided assisstance not only to me but to my husband by supporting him in comforting me. At (lots of) times, she eased my pain and was an integral part of my team which consisted of my husband and midwife. She always knew when to offer that sip of ice cold juice or to bring in a heated blanket, as well as providing us time to ourselves once the baby was born. Her duty and commitment to care is not only amazing but also so natural.
We are forever thankful for Whitney's support and recommend her to anyone who is looking for a doula.
My husband and I have said that Whitney is a part of our family and therefore will have to be present for all future babies!
Whitney is a very bubbly, calm and happy person which are exactly the characteristics you need in a doula. She was there for me through my entire active labour till baby's birth and she gave me all the support that I needed: great massage, reminding me to breathe and drink water, praising me, ensuring that I am comfortable and had all I needed at the hospital after labour. In addition, before labour, she took the time to meet with my husband and son, research birth material for me, and visit me after birth to see how I am doing. If I would do it all again, I would pick Whitney and nobody else.
We have nothing but great things to say about Whitney and her impact as our Doula for the birth of our first child. She exceeded our expectations. We were on the fence as to whether a Doula was necessary, but in hindsight I'm so happy we decided to bring her into the experience. From our initial meetings to after the birth she was compassionate and engaged. She is so natural at creating a comforting and approachable vibe that you almost forget that she's not a long-time friend - this really made the whole process (especially in the hospital) much less daunting as a first time father. Whitney was also very knowledgeable and forthcoming about everything before, during, and after our child's birth. I would not hesitate to hire her as our Doula for our next child.
My husband and I both agree that hiring Whitney was a great decision and absolutely money well spent! She arrived to our house at 3 AM and was with us until the birth of our son that evening. Whitney was so supportive to both my husband and I and her hip pressure work was a life saver during contractions (it was also very helpful that she could show my husband what to do). Whitney even assisted me in the shower at the hospital. We were so thankful to have met Whitney and will always cherish that she stood by us on this amazing day! I have nothing but good things to say. Thanks again Whitney for helping us bring our little guy Brady into the world!
Whitney is amazing. She's extremely knowledgeable, which is comforting as first-time parents.
Her approach to the birthing experience (before, during, and after) was one of support, kindness, and understanding. She made us feel at ease throughout the entire process.
Thanks to Whitney we had a great/unique experience that included watching Crimson Tide and Seinfeld while in labour!
Whitney is a consummate professional, and you would be lucky to have her level of expertise!
Whitney is a very friendly, cheerful, flexible, punctual doula. My husband & I felt at ease with her from the first time we met. She was very sweet towards our toddler & our baby. She was passionate about supporting us in every way she could like posting advertisements online on our behalf & giving us helpful resources. She also went beyond her role to help me out a few times after I’d given birth!
The birth of my daughter was one of the most challenging and incredible experiences of my life. I had a 40 hour labour that ended in a c-section. Throughout it all, Whitney was by my side. Shortly after being discharged from the hospital, I was readmitted because of a health issue while my daughter stayed at home with her father. Whitney stayed with me during this time, kept me calm, and spoke to nurses and doctors on my behalf when I could not.
I’m so grateful for the support she provided. Whether she was bringing snacks, brightening my mood, or just keeping me company, I knew I could count on her. I was stressed out and emotional, and she was calm and empathetic. It was exactly what I needed.
I would recommend Whitney to everyone I know who is having a baby. She is caring, knows how to get stuff done and has a wonderful sense of humour. She was the best advocate I could have hoped for during this difficult time.
I took the prenatal classes and read the books preparing myself for what childbirth would entail. On the day when it actually happened, though, all the preparation did little in comparison to what Whitney’s support and guidance offered me. I can honestly say I could not have done as well as I did without her by my side. Her knowledge and technique helped to make my labour a positive and truthfully rewarding experience.
My labour started early in the morning hours and progressed slowly the rest of the day and into the evening at which time I went to the Hospital for pain medications. I experienced back labour and was not at all ready for this. Whitney stood (and knelt) by my side providing encouraging words and soothing massages the entire time. Really she aided me in any way I asked including running me a bath as the labour carried on into the next day and the pain medications did nothing to help me sleep.
When I was ready to return to the hospital the next morning, she drove my partner and I there. She was right by my side in the delivery room. Ready still with loving words and the willingness to assist me in any way she could. Her approach was supportive and respectful. She held my hand when I needed her to but also gave me space when I needed this. In the moment when I thought I couldn’t push anymore, she reminded me I could and her words allowed me to remain strong.
As a result, I was able to deliver a beautiful baby girl who instantly took up all of my heart. Whitney continued to stay with me after the birth bringing those present snacks and helping me communicate with loved ones. She also visited the next day. Whitney was there for me from the beginning of labour through to the final push and afterwards. Her consistent and constant physical and emotional support made my birthing experience a successful and positive one. I am forever grateful to her and appreciative of all the love and care she showed me. I would whole-heartedly recommend her services to anyone.