My own life journey has been guided by a huge desire to create a better world for the child. I have been blessed to have two wonderful children, and have found there to be nothing more rewarding than being a parent! I love being a mom! But while being a parent is the best job possible, it is also one of the most challenging! It is this, and my natural passion for the childbearing year, which has lead me to being a Doula.

My desire is to help families adjust during this tumultuous year, so that they can get the very most out of it. I feel so strongly that this time can be made so much easier and more rewarding, simply by having someone available who is knowledgeable, empathetic and accepting.

I have experience with:

• home birth
• hospital birth
• water birth
• first babies and multiple children families
• VBAC
• postpartum depression
• breastfeeding difficulties
• high need babies
• special need babies
  
  

My training and certification includes:

• Certified Labour/Birth Doula (DONA)
• Certified Postpartum Doula (DONA)
• Breastfeeding Counsellor (Breastfeeding Course for Healthcare Providers through Douglas College and Lactation course through Lactation Education Resources)
• Emergency First Aid and Baby/Adult CPR

My passion, which has been present in my life since my teens, is also fueled by many years of studying children, familes, mothers, parenting, pregnancy, birth, newborns and the postpartum period. I have continually surrounded myself with children, thoroughly enjoying my own two, and having taught and led Kindergyms, baby groups, song groups and creative dance for children.

Testimonials

  
From Tiffany and George, after having their first baby:

"Kathryn is an amazing woman full of warmth, love and positive energy...a natural born doula! Her enthusiasm and joy for her work shine through and I knew I could call on her for any type of question, fear or concern. With each visit, I felt a million times better and more capable as I drew from her strength which was given completely and unconditionally. She went beyond and above and we will never forget her dedication and compassion during this monumental time in our lives."
  

"I will always be grateful for Kathryn's help with the birth of our son. Both me (and my wife), but especially my wife, were supported during this momentous experience by her patience, calmness, knowledge and love for her job. Her committment to our family went beyond anything we expected from a doula and continued for weeks after the birth of our son."

From Farheen, after having her first baby:

"Kathryn brings love, warmth and integrity to her doula practice. Her
emotional support was key for me during my pregnancy. She advocated for
me anytime I was feeling unsure and constantly sent positive
affirmations my way which helped me feel at ease and secure in what was
unfolding for me during pregnancy/labour. She brought a willingness to
learn and work with our needs and also gave my partner and I the space
and encouragement to do things our way. During the birth, Kathryn was
unobtrusive, and held the space for us to birth our daughter in a loving
and respectful manner. She was there for us in whatever way WE needed
her to be. Her postpartum support was incredible! It was wonderful to
entrust my little newborn into such loving hands and take some time for
myself! I am grateful for having Kathryn's loving support during this
very special and sacred time in my life."

From a mom, after having her second baby:

"Kathryn is the most inspiring and amazing doula and person I have ever met.  She was there for us everystep of the way.  I trust Kathryn completely and knew from the moment I saw and met her that I wanted her at our birth and she has gone beyond the call of duty many times and gave us so much support all through the birth and after the birth when our baby required hospitalization.  I know even months after the birth that I can call on her.  The information she provided was valuable and she gave us wonderful advice when we asked.  I cannot recommend her enough as she provided us with so much more -she counselled us, she cared for us, she nurtured us and she has become a  beautiful friend.  Her gentle caring presence is so valuable at a time of joy and vulnerability. Our deepest gratitude and thanks go to Kathryn.  We feel truly blessed to have this wonderful being as our doula."

From Marie and Jean Pierre, after having their second baby:

"I knew the first time I talked to Kathryn on the phone that she was the doula I needed for the birth of my second child. I felt right away her compassion and her calmness. She is a wonderful person. I never felt any judgment, just a lot of support, something I really needed during that intense and precious time. She was also readily available and very supportive during the pregnancy, and, after the birth, she was able to come on very short notice when we really needed her presence, even on New Year's Day! At the very last moment, my scheduled c-section transformed into an all natural VBAC and Kathryn was able to adapt very quickly, giving me the strength and confidence I needed to give birth to my little one in the best possible way. Without her, I am not sure I would have been able to have a successful VBAC. She was a very important part of our team with my husband and my midwife. I am so grateful that she could be my guide throughout this sacred time."

"Kathryn is a very inspiring and positive person. She was able to provide a ton of support, but always with a lot of discretion, which made me feel very secure and confident in my own support role as husband and dad. I am very glad we had her with us during this fantastic time. Thanks a lot Kathryn!"

From Mary Lynn, after getting postpartum help with her second child:

"Reaching out during my postpartum was really more about reaching in. Kathryn was clearly focused on really listening to my needs and supporting me in getting the rest I so needed. We also had some great laughs along the way! Her thoughtfulness and sense of humour were vital to taking me through my foggy state of sleep deprivation. My husband and were thankful to have Kathryn's great words of encouragement, as we struggled through our second experience with a colicky, wakeful baby."

From Jade, after having her first baby:

One of the first things I tell people when they ask me about our birthing experience is a) how truly amazing and life changing it was, and b) how truly integral the help from our doula, (wonderful, beautiful, Kathryn), was. I want every expecting woman out there to know how invaluable her services were to my husband, to me, and to our beautiful little girl.
She was there for me in the pregnancy when emotions and doubts sometimes got to me. During our birth she was such a huge support both physically and emotionally. She facilitated a connection between my husband and I that I think as first time parents we would have struggled to achieve with so many other things on our minds. Her presence was felt so warmly and constantly during our daughters birth, and yet she was always somewhat shadowed, non-obtrusive. I feel so grateful having had her be present, as a skilled and calming guide, in the most important time in our lives.
Kathryn’s postpartum support was hugely invaluable. I had no idea just how much I would need someone to lean on. Her knowledge, assistance, presence and kind, caring ways were so helpful and mean more to me than words can even say.
With warmth, love and gratitude our whole family thanks you Kathryn.