Meet Our Team

Program Founder/Experienced Doula

After the dramatic difference between my first and second birth, I realized just how important our child’s birth is in our lives. Like a wedding, it’s a day worthy of celebration, enjoyment, time/resource investment and lots of preparation.

When I launched this program it was because I wanted every person who wants a doula to have access to one, regardless of her financial situation. I am excited to be a part of this innovative approach to a timeless tradition: providing support to the labouring person through physical and emotional comfort measures. Each birth is unique, and each family deserves to be served in their own special way, a way that is unique to their needs.

Mentor/Experienced Doula

Co-Director and mentor of the Birth Doula Program since 2013, I began my Doula career by training and certifying with DONA International. Since then I have certified as Lamaze Childbirth Educator, added Henna Belly Blessings and Mentorship to my resume, along with various birth related workshops and courses to be my best for the families I support. It has been an honour, these past years to have been a part of hundreds of families birth stories, I am always humbled that you have trusted and welcomed me into your most impactful and vulnerable time. Most recently I was a surrogate and that experience will forever have a special place in my heart.

Experienced Doula

I am a birth doula, childbirth educator as well as the owner of FITMOM Durham a business that specializes in prenatal & postpartum fitness classes across Durham Region.

I began my career as a Childbirth Educator shortly following the birth of my first son. This decision was the start of what would become a fulfilling passion and purpose. Becoming a parent for the first time, or the fifth time, is an exciting and emotional journey and I am truly honoured when I am invited to accompany a family on their path.

When I think about my role as a Birth Doula I am often compare my role to the symbol of a lighthouse: a strong structure that helps guide you when navigating challenging waters; a beacon of light to remind you of your inner strength and the stability to support you physically and emotionally. I am so excited to be a part of the Birth Doula Program and I look forward to working with you as you prepare to welcome the newest addition to your family!

Experienced Doula

My mother introduced me to the beautiful physiology of birth from a very young age, and I have been drawn to it ever since.

My passion for birth was truly ignited with the birth of my third daughter in 2007. After experiencing a negative birth with my second daughter, once I became pregnant again I felt I needed to take control of my experience. I wanted to learn and educate myself as much as I could so I could confidently make the right decisions for me and my baby. I went on to have an amazing and empowering home birth. Ever since then, I’ve wanted to educate women about birth, and help them gain the knowledge and choose the right team to support their wishes and decisions.

“Sometimes you don’t know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory” Dr. Seuss

Experienced Doula

Marcia is a mother of four, grandmother of four and has been a Postpartum doula for 12 years. She is also a Certified Birth doula, a Childbirth Educator and a Certified Sleep Consultant. Her first field of work and study was Business and Adminstration and she now has been studying Psychology and should be graduating in 2022. Marcia holds certifications in Infant Mental Health, The Happiest Baby on the Block, and Child Development and Care.

Marcia has a passion for young families and her mission is to educate and support families in an non-judgmental way. During birth Marcia believes her role is to be by the birthing parent’s side offering comforting touch, comforting silence when needed, and to show a genuine desire to be present with that person.

Apprentice Doula

My name is Janette Taylor and I am trained as a Maternal Support Practitioner (Doula – Fertility, Prenatal, Birth and Postpartum). I am a Communication Skills Educator, Prenatal Educator, & Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding Educator. My work is centred around supporting and empowering families.

I am a mother, an active volunteer, and a proudly loyal friend. I am a strong advocate for actively listening to birthing people and their families in attempt to meet them where they’re at while they work towards their goals. Most of all, I am passionate about empowering birthing people to feel heard in their prenatal, birth, and postpartum experiences.

I am a 45 year old woman who lives with my husband, our three children, and a small herd of animals in rural Northumberland on the traditional territory of the Anishinabewaki, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee peoples.

I look forward to making a connection with you.

Apprentice Doula

Hi! My name is Sarah, and I am a birth and postpartum doula. I have always been passionate about babies, and I have always felt the need and satisfaction of helping people. When I discovered the world of Doula work, I knew immediately that was it for me! Up until my transition to doula work I had worked mainly in the hospitality industry but always knew something was missing. I’m so glad my life’s journey let me into this path.

Growing up with a very large family around me there was always a time when there were new babies and I have always been drawn to supporting them in any way that I possibly could. Now I’m able to support families, just like mine, in a compassionate and non-judgemental way. I enjoy helping families embark on this beautiful journey in their lives and really help them create wonderful memories around it so they can look back and smile.

Apprentice Doula

Jamie Lynn Defoe has always had a strong passion for helping others. She graduated from Seneca College with a Social Service Worker diploma and is almost complete her Doula Canada certification as a Labour and Birth Doula. Jamie is a mom to a happy house full of kids/teens and loves every minute!

Jamie wishes to see that her clients fulfill a birth experience which they can feel great about, whatever that looks like for them. She stands by with a calming, supportive hand and voice to walk each person through anxiety or worry and feel empowered and confident in their own choices and decisions. She is honoured to be a part of your journey and takes great pride in being a diligent doula.

Apprentice Doula

You’ll feel as though you have an old friend or auntie at your birth with Madeleine’s caring hands with their hands-on approach. Madeleine (they, she) can guide you in breathing techniques to bring ease to your birth as she is yoga alliance certified. Madeleine is DONA trained and has attended a wide spectrum of births over the years, including unmedicated at home, surgical, high risk, multiples and more. She is a queer birth helper who’s spirit name is “Gentle Water Rippling”. Her practice is rooted in radical care and reproductive justice for all folks. She supports birthing folks and families while being grounded in culture, trauma-informed care and a true Auntie approach. They have training with a TENS machine for birth, carries birth year teachings for Ojibwe and Cree nations, and training in how to support people who have experienced sexual trauma. Previously, she worked with children for over 10 years, supporting children and families. Their passions include her homestead where she has bees, chickens, a large garden and her little family of 4. 

Apprentice Doula

I am a mother of two wild, creative, beautiful children.  I am from Brooklyn, New York and took the leap and moved to Canada with my family in May of 2021.  In NYC, I started my doula journey after having amazing doula support for both of my birthing experiences.  Having a doula showed me the many benefits of doula support and sparked my passion for doula work.  

I am a DONA-International trained doula based in Toronto.  I bring an open-minded, non-judgemental approach which allows me to help empower each and every birthing person I support.  I strive to reduce fear around birth in a way that is both nurturing and encouraging. 

Apprentice Doula

I like to think of the emotional space in which I meet people as a soft pillow that is continuously fluffed, patted down, and maintained. This is done through open dialogue, questions, tenderness, and good faith. Clients in my care feel well-supported by my intuitive ability to anctipate, confirm, and meet their emotional needs. You will feel confident and relaxed in my care.

I am a certified pre and postnatal yoga teacher and have been teaching pre and postnatal yoga since 2017. I have also been a 200-hr Yoga Alliance certified yoga instructor since 2016, and since 2019 I have taught different styles of mindful movement with a focus on mind-body connection. I am passionate about the role of the doula in birth, and I want to help bring that to those who want it.

Apprentice Doula

Reshma Jadhav is an Internationally Certified Pregnancy Fitness Educator, Child Birth Educator from CAPPA and a Trained Birth Doula from DONA International.

A quote she draws inspiration from is “A Child Gives BIRTH To A MOTHER” – By Dr. Vithal Venkatesh Kamat.

And her curious self, led her to the Birthing World. She believes in supporting and empowering women. Her journey began in 2014 back in Mumbai, India.

Apprentice Doula

I have been obsessed with babies since my childhood, and in my adulthood, I have gained a deep respect and awe for the beauty and wonder of pregnancy and birth.

Having experienced four of my own births with support from a doula, and one birth without  doula support, I gained an appreciation for the depth, value and benefits of a doula. My goal is to provide this integral support and empowerment to others because I recognize the significant and lasting impact it has.

My skill set, philosophies and strengths as an Occupational Therapist are perfectly compatible with my role as a doula. I take a holistic approach with my all my clients, showing care and concern for their full being,  including their physical, emotional and spiritual wellness. I provide a wealth of therapeutic techniques and pain management strategies to cope with the physical, mental and emotional aspects of pregnancy/ birth including positioning, massage, mental imagery, breathing and creating a peaceful atmosphere.

I would love to be a part of your birth journey and help you create the most rewarding, empowering, positive and memorable birth experience!

Apprentice Doula

Nadine has been a doula for friends and family since she was a teen. It wasn’t until she had her own babies 14 months apart that she listened to her calling, quit her get job and became a full time doula.

Trained and certified through DONA and ProDoula Nadine offers prenatal, birth and postpartum services. Nadine’s clients appreciate her extensive knowledge around birth and baby care; her client entered approach puts people at ease and helps them navigate the birthing journey more
confidently.

When she is not doula’ing you will find her leading her family on all sorts of adventures; practising yoga daily, riding her bike in the summer or curling in the winter.

Apprentice Doula

Hi! My name is Abbey, my pronouns are they/them, and I am trained as a full-spectrum doula with Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings. I’m located in Nogojiwanong/Peterborough, but am
originally from Fredericton, New Brunswick. Currently, I am working with the Birth Doula Program as an apprentice birth doula!

Being part of the LGBTQ community, I have gained intimate experience in advocacy within a medical setting. As a multi-faceted person myself, I see folks for who they are, accept them at every level, and uplift their unique individual  trengths. Other clients have found that my empathic ability to approach people with the utmost compassion and care has been beneficial for them during transitional periods. I’ve been able to provide them with a variety of coping mechanisms learned throughout my deep experience with mental health programs and training.

My hope is to lead my clients through a fulfilling and transformative birth, and to help them to create a cherished experience.