First, let’s clarify that birth preferences is a much better descriptor than birth plan. We like to think of it like crafting a road map - we’ll talk through all various pathways that your birth might unfold.

In our prenatal appointments, we’ll talk about your options and what we can – and can’t – plan for, so that you’re fully informed. We will guide you through exercises and specific questions to help identify your feelings – and ensure all of us are on the same page – as it relates to things like interventions. From there, we’ll identify the key areas you feel strongly about and we’ll help you craft your birth preferences. 

So long as you’re informed, we support whatever feels right for you and that includes pain medication. In our prenatal meetings, we’ll talk about your options as it relates to pain relief, as well as the advantages and any risks associated with them so you can make a fully informed decision.

We’ll also talk about how we can support you in your choices, and your pain relief options, should you choose to forego an epidural.

At the end of the day, how you feel about your birth will depend less on how it unfolded (ie: epidural vs. not) than on whether you felt informed and supported in your decisions. So that’s what we aim to provide for you, no matter what your preferences.  

We’ll talk A LOT about this in our prenatal visits. There is no way to know for sure what you’ll like during labour, so we will offer you a giant tool kit of options! We’ll explain how different active and passive postures can help, and how items in your home can also help.

Our team is experienced in using the Rebozo method, which uses a long scarf for support, as well as a TENS machine. Some of us also have training in Hypnobabies, yoga and meditation, and we all make use of practices such as affirmations and breathing. 

A lot of it boils down to making sure you and your partner are on the same page, which is one of the reasons prenatal appointments are so valuable. Your partner will participate in our discussions, learn what you learn, and understand your preferences. 

At the birth itself, we’re there to support your partner as well as the birthing parent – because even the most attentive partner will need to go to the washroom or have a bite to eat eventually! 

The bottom line is that we’re not – in any way – there to replace your partner; rather we’re there to guide and support both of you. 

Very well! Doctors and nurses at Toronto hospitals are generally pretty used to doulas, and understand our role. There isn’t any extreme overlap in terms of what we provide vs. them – they are responsible for your medical care, and we are there to support you physically and emotionally.

You can expect there to be a solid level of understanding and respect, and that everyone will work together to support you. We can promise you that, even if there’s a shift change at the hospital, we’ll be with you the whole time – which often provides a welcome continuity of care for families.

It’s a common misconception that a doula is ‘no longer needed’ in the case of a c-section – but in reality, you need just as much support; but of a slightly different kind.

If you’re having a scheduled c-section, we will spend lots of time planning, we will be at the hospital before and after (some hospitals have even let us into the delivery room, but this isn’t a guarantee), and will be there to provide the support you need as you heal and recuperate.

In the event of an emergency c-section, there’s a good chance you’ll have been in labour for quite some time already, with our support. When the decision to move to a c-section gets made, we can help you understand your choices and what’s going on, and provide support afterwards.

We have worked with 100s of families, each with their own unique story. Chances are, we’ve supported a family in a similar situation to you, facing similar challenges.

While each story is unique, you can rest assured that we have the experience to support your birth and baby journey fully.

Here's some experiences we've worked with before:

• Home births, hospital births and birth centre births

• Transfers of care from one location and/or care provider to another (i.e. birth centre to hospital, midwife to OB)

• High risk pregnancies

• Twins and triplets

• Gestational diabetes or pre-existing diabetes

• Blood clotting disorders

• Maternal and baby heart conditions

• Pregnancy and birth after previous loss

• Perinatal mood conditions

• Higher maternal age during pregnancy

• Solo pregnancy and parenting by choice and based on life circumstances

• IVF and IUI pregnancies

• History of eating disorders

• History of previous sexual assault

and more.

Yes! While masking rules are now relaxed, we are happy to wear a mask, upon request.

We will wear a mask during heavy transmission times or cold, flu or Covid-19. We will also wear a mask if someone in our household is sick.

We will reschedule our visit if we are sick.

We also wash our hands as soon as entering any home and regularly during birth support.