Meet Our Team

Stefanie Antunes

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.

Helena McMann

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.

Andrea Paul

Team Leader/Experienced Doula

Andrea has been a practicing doula for nearly a decade and is very passionate about helping families. She creates a calm atmosphere and helps families to navigate their new family dynamic. She loves the variety that birth support offers and how unique each person’s experiences are. Whatever your birth preferences are, Andrea looks forward to supporting your choices. Andrea started her career as a birth doula when she saw a gap in support. As her love for supporting families grew she became a postpartum doula to help families manage and grow their confidence with their new baby(ies). She then became an infant sleep coach, lactation educator, and childbirth educator to continue different aspects of support. Helping families reach their goals is incredibly rewarding.

Jennifer Rogers

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!

Nadine Ross

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

Sarah Rioux

Experienced Doula

I have a strong passion for helping those around me so that they can feel as though there is always someone to turn to without a feeling of judgement.

They say, “It takes a village…” and I don’t believe that only starts once the child is born. I think through hearty conversations, laughs, and tears, we set the foundation for the rest of our and our children’s lives. As someone who became a Mom at a young age, it was abundantly apparent how fundamental personalized support is and it is my mission to provide that kind of love and support that I was fortunate enough to receive through some of the programs I existed in.

It is my goal is to take the burdens from my client and watch them drop their shoulders and take a deep, relaxing breath when I enter the room. I am honoured to have the opportunity to listen and learn from each person, as well as to be able to be the one that gives them the power to stand behind their choices and create a memory that they will hold forever!

Marcia Horbacio

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.

Sarah Leitch

Experienced Doula

After experiencing my nephews’ birth and caring for him as an infant, it was then when I learned the true value of a strong support system. I wanted to educate myself about all things baby so I could support my family and friends in their transition to parenthood.

Time passed and, after the birth of my second daughter, I officially started on my journey to become a doula. I completed my training with Bebo Mia and have been continuing my education through self-studies of calm birth methods.

When I’m not listening to podcasts and audio books about birth/babies, I love hanging out with my 2 little girls and my husband. We love going for nature walks, having dance parties in the living room, and getting creative with arts and crafts.

My goal is to instill confidence and the feeling of comfort and safety for a seamless transition into parenthood.

Janette Taylor

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.

Sarah MacIsaac

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.

Jessica Fehr

Apprentice Doula

Coming soon!

Jamie DeFoe

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.

Madeleine Alderson

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. 

 

Kristin Underwood

Apprentice Doula

Birth to me is an experience of beginning a new life cycle; beautiful, challenging, vulnerable, powerful, and courageous. With the opportunity for us to prepare for brave, informed births, I believe that we could eliminate fear and insecurities in our children, ultimately leading to healthier, empowered individuals who have confidence with a strong sense of self throughout the journey of their life.

As a doula I love helping parents feel comfortable, prepared, and empowered throughout all stages of their birth.  Reminding individuals of their true self is a great place where I like to begin; looking at, understanding, and working through fears you may have. I like to integrate my experience and practice of kundalini yoga to show you new ways of healing, relaxing and breathing. My hope is that this will lead you to have a more fulfilling pregnancy experience for you and your newborn baby.

Sat Nam

Johanna Krusinski

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. 

Tara Mahoney

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.

Laura Sellors

Apprentice Doula

Hi, I’m Laura.

I am many things. A dancer, a designer, a business executive, a photographer, a mother of 4… and yes, a doula! But most of all I am someone who gets excited about new adventures and who values the work we do to achieve beauty in our everyday.

I became a doula because giving birth and being with new baby, I think, are some of the most rewarding and beautiful times in human experience. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. As a child, I remember saying “I want to deliver babies”, but I didn’t know about midwives or doulas until I had kids of my own. I had great birth experiences and ever since I’ve wanted to help others to do the same.

I believe calm, confident parents make calm, confident babies (and children) and that that starts from birth.

Reshma Jadhav

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.

Dahlia Levinson

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!

Ricci Lee

Apprentice Doula

I am a DONA International trained Birth Doula based in Toronto. I made the decision to start a new career as I realized that there are many birthing people in my community who had a need of hiring a doula due to many situations, but these pregnant people did not actually know what Doula was and did not know there was such a companion for them to ease, smooth and support their birthing experience. Other than my own community, I would love to and am ready to give my sincere support to any pregnant people!

After birthing my second little devil, I am more passionate about building a maternal career. I had a great opportunity to be a training instructor for Chinese Postpartum Caregivers. This encourages me to move forward to enhance my maternal career to become a Birth Doula. Not only to achieve my personal career goal but also provides me with more opportunities to help more people in a wider range of scope.

I will do my best to calm my clients while birthing and to reduce their fear and anxiety about giving birth. Birthing is beautiful!

Nadine Sowerby

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.

Abbey Lejeune

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.

Coral Adams

Apprentice Doula

Coral knew from childhood that she was destined to help. She has a genuine caring spirit and leads with love and respect . After facing some traumatic challenges in her own childbirth process, Coral knew where her voice and skills were most needed.

She decided to formally train to give birthing people and their partners educated, emotional and physical support to help achieve the birth they desire. Coral is working as an apprentice doula and is constantly adding additional training and education, with a special interest in diverse families. 

When Coral is not doing birth work, she is busy being a Mother to her one and only outgoing little girl. Coral enjoys gardening, swimming, yoga and dance fitness!

”Let’s get the oxytocin flowing! “