[vc_row][vc_column][mk_padding_divider size=”50″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”983″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1690994407887{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Did you know?

Doula Canada is one of only a select few vocationally registered training for birth workers in Canada and has a long history of teaching birth, postpartum and childbirth education.

As a professional doula, trained with Doula Canada, you receive a certificate of graduation and the security of knowing your education gives you a solid foundation. Our curriculum is reviewed bi-yearly to ensure it meets the expectations for the highest standards in training.

Our Learning Space

DTC is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive learning space for birth workers and persons interested in offering reproductive support. Our team works to ensure that the needs of our students are met at the highest standard.

Why train with the DTC team?

Our team has an incredibly unmatched resume with years of experience in the business of reproductive support, education, counselling, and academics. DTC’s mission is to advance the perinatal practice by generating knowledge and educating future leaders to address reproductive support for all. To achieve this, we must maintain principles and practices that promote and advance anti-racism, diversity, equity, decolonization, and inclusion.

DTC instructors are ready to work with you as you work towards achieving your goals![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][mk_custom_box bg_color=”#ffffff” border_color_style=”gradient_color” border_width=”2″ border_grandient_color_from=”#b0aac2″ border_grandient_color_to=”#300032″ border_gradient_color_angle=”diagonal_left_bottom” border_grandient_color_fallback=”#300032″ elevation_effect=”true” bg_stretch=”true”][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h3″ color=”#c86733″ size=”22″ force_font_size=”true” size_smallscreen=”22″ size_tablet=”20″ size_phone=”18″ font_weight=”600″ font_style=”normal” txt_transform=”none” margin_bottom=”5″ font_family=”none”]BIRTH WORK HAPPENS HERE.
Join Us![/mk_fancy_title][contact-form-7 id=”1039″][/mk_custom_box][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1721740940663{background-color: #dbdbdb !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1721741098107{padding-top: 40px !important;}”][mk_fancy_title font_family=”none”]

Acknowledging the Land

[/mk_fancy_title][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][mk_padding_divider size=”50″ visibility=”visible-dt”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1690995284405{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]As visitors on this land, we have an important responsibility to acknowledge the grounds on which we are privileged to gather in the pursuit of education:

Doula Canada’s work primarily takes place on Turtle Island, which has been a site of human activity for over 15000 years and is the unseeded territory of Indigenous peoples. Nearly 100 years ago, Canada and many First Nations signed agreements that became known as the Treaties. These agreements were intended to be the foundation upon which sovereign peoples would build a common relationship, but lead to long-standing disputes about compensation, settlement, and harvesting.

In light of this history and understanding a role as Treaty People, may we dedicate ourselves to moving forward in the spirit of partnership, collaboration, and reconciliation, as we learn together and contemplate the possibilities that lay ahead.

The DTC home office resides on the ancestral lands and the traditional and treaty territories of the Nations covered under the Williams Treaties, including the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, Alderville First Nation, Hiawatha First Nation, Curve Lake First Nation, and the Chippewa Nations of Georgina Island, Beausoleil and Rama. We recognize the significance of this land, and offer our respect to our Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, and Métis neighbours.

As we learn together, we ask that you reflect on the ongoing role that colonialism plays in pregnancy, birth, and parenting and your own relationship to this work.

We pay respect to Indigenous birth workers, both past and present, including any of those who may be here with us today.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][mk_page_section bg_color=”#dbdbdb” border_color=”#d77e5e” bg_position=”center center” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” bg_stretch=”true” padding_top=”0″ padding_bottom=”0″ sidebar=”sidebar-1″][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1721741190571{padding-top: 35px !important;}”][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h3″ color=”#ffffff” size=”32″ force_font_size=”true” size_smallscreen=”28″ size_tablet=”28″ size_phone=”22″ font_weight=”bold” font_style=”normal” txt_transform=”none” margin_bottom=”5″ font_family=”none” align=”center” drop_shadow=”true”]OUR ADMIN & INSTRUCTIONAL TEAM[/mk_fancy_title][mk_padding_divider][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1510846040371{background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0.75) !important;*background-color: rgb(255,255,255) !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][mk_padding_divider][vc_single_image image=”510472″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle_2″][mk_padding_divider visibility=”visible-dt”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3/4″ css=”.vc_custom_1721741171778{padding-top: 35px !important;}”][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h3″ color=”#300032″ size=”26″ force_font_size=”true” size_smallscreen=”20″ size_tablet=”20″ size_phone=”14″ font_weight=”bold” font_style=”normal” txt_transform=”none” margin_bottom=”5″ font_family=”none” responsive_align=”left”]

Stefanie Antunes (she/her)

Chief Executive Officer

[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1721740736294{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Stefanie has been a Lamaze® Educator and doula since 2002 after the birth of her second son showed her just how valuable it is to be prepared for birth and to have good support around you.

Stefanie is a visionary in the childbirth field. She leads several organizations providing a variety of services to expectant parents and training for those wishing to pursue work in the childbirth field. She is the president for Doula Training Canada. Stefanie is a board member with the Association of Ontario Doulas, former Treasurer and Public Relations Director for DONA International, and sits on many local boards and coalitions to improve our communities.

Stefanie is a contributing author in the best selling Power of Women United and the book Bearing Witness: Childbirth Stories Told by Doulas. She is a regular contributing writer and blogger, and has done many interviews online and for TV/radio. Stefanie was awarded Business Woman of the Year 2022 by CanadianSME.

Her belief is that the world can be a better place if parents can have more positive childbirth experiences that allow them to bond properly with their babies. She works tirelessly to change the world in this aspect…one family at a time.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_padding_divider size=”50″ visibility=”visible-dt”][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1510846040371{background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0.75) !important;*background-color: rgb(255,255,255) !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][mk_padding_divider][vc_single_image image=”521347″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle_2″][mk_padding_divider visibility=”visible-dt”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3/4″ css=”.vc_custom_1721741210671{padding-top: 35px !important;}”][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h3″ color=”#300032″ size=”26″ force_font_size=”true” size_smallscreen=”20″ size_tablet=”20″ size_phone=”14″ font_weight=”bold” font_style=”normal” txt_transform=”none” margin_bottom=”5″ font_family=”none” responsive_align=”left”]

Julia Forest (she/her)

Co-Director

[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1721740746551{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Julia is an international yoga teacher, birth doula, health advocate, and closet artist who is passionate about health, environmentalism and empowered birth. She is co-creator of the Sacred Birth Yoga & Doula Training, is founding director of Awakened Spirit Yoga and co-founder of the Wellkind Foundation, a non-profit that focuses on community empowerment and wellbeing through the lens of permaculture. She recently became the co-Director of Doula Training Canada.

During the past 20 years, Julia has been practising and studying with extraordinary teachers in North America and in India and deepened her practice in several lineages such as classical hatha yoga, mindfulness meditation, vinyasa, Scaravelli inspired, yoga therapy and kundalini. A solo journey to Spain sparked a 10 year pilgrimage to Rishikesh India, where she taught and studied yoga and meditation in ashrams and monasteries.

The emphasis in her classes is on alignment, yoga as a tool for transformation, the healing qualities of inner stillness, movement and breath for the cultivation of inner peace, health and wellbeing. Her approach is trauma informed and accessible. She teaches from the heart and creates an environment in which her students can explore and discover their inner wisdom and potential.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_padding_divider size=”50″][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1510846040371{background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0.75) !important;*background-color: rgb(255,255,255) !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][mk_padding_divider][vc_single_image image=”459144″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle_2″][mk_padding_divider visibility=”visible-dt”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3/4″][mk_padding_divider size=”50″ visibility=”visible-dt”][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h3″ color=”#300032″ size=”26″ force_font_size=”true” size_smallscreen=”20″ size_tablet=”20″ size_phone=”14″ font_weight=”bold” font_style=”normal” txt_transform=”none” margin_bottom=”5″ font_family=”none” responsive_align=”left”]

Jessica Palmquist (she/her)

Fertility Support Program Coordinator & Senior Instructor

[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1721740756255{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Jessica Palmquist is passionate about supporting individuals and families through life’s many journeys as they navigate through calm & stormy seas so to speak, as we know life is not always what we expect. Jessica helps her clients transition through the new chapters of their life with as much grace and ease as possible while letting them know they are never alone. From growing a family, prenatal and birth support, and postpartum care, Jessica provides customized full-spectrum wrap-around wellness and Doula support pre and post-baby. As an IVF parent, Jessica has a special place in her heart for fertility education and supporting people who are trying to conceive and going through Assisted Reproductive Technologies. Her own journey to conception inspired Jessica to become a Fertility Support Practitioner and Birth and Postpartum Doula to provide guidance and support for others as a knowledgeable and accessible resource.

In addition to her Doula training, Jessica has lived and worked in multiple provinces and cities, traveled to over 30 countries, is a Yoga Teacher, and holds a Masters in Education in Leadership and Curriculum Development, Bachelor of Education in Elementary and Secondary Education, Bachelor of Arts in Honours History and English Major, and a Principal’s Certificate. As a teacher by trade with a varied employment background, Jessica has experience working in the public, private, and post-secondary sectors in various roles. Jessica especially enjoys teaching adult learners and is invested in ensuring her students reach their goals and experience success in their learning.

Certified Fertility Support and Doula[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_padding_divider][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1510846040371{background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0.75) !important;*background-color: rgb(255,255,255) !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][mk_padding_divider][vc_single_image image=”338101″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle_2″][mk_padding_divider visibility=”visible-dt”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3/4″][mk_padding_divider size=”50″ visibility=”visible-dt”][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h3″ color=”#300032″ size=”26″ force_font_size=”true” size_smallscreen=”20″ size_tablet=”20″ size_phone=”14″ font_weight=”bold” font_style=”normal” txt_transform=”none” margin_bottom=”5″ font_family=”none” responsive_align=”left”]

Keira Grant (she/her)

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion – Lead

[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1721741342323{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Keira Grant (she/her) brings a wealth of experience to the Online Community Moderator role. She is a Queer, Black woman with a twenty-year track record in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) education, projects, and community building initiatives. Organizations Keira has worked and volunteered for include Metropolitan Action Committee on Violence Against Women and Children (METRAC), Transgender, Bisexual, Lesbian Gay Alliance at York (TBLGAY), and Teens Confronting and Educating Homophobia (TEACH) at Planned Parenthood of Toronto.

In 2020, Keira was the Policy and Research Analyst at Rainbow Health Ontario, Sherbourne Health Centre. In this role, she developed resources and policy advice on health issues affecting LGBT2SQ+ communities in Ontario.

Keira has experience moderating a number of Facebook community groups.

As a moderator for DTC, Keira’s work includes screening and monitoring social media sites or applications for abusive, violent, maliciously false, or other inappropriate content ensuring a safer experience for users and communities.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_padding_divider][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1510846040371{background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0.75) !important;*background-color: rgb(255,255,255) !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][mk_padding_divider][vc_single_image image=”1855″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle_2″][mk_padding_divider visibility=”visible-dt”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3/4″][mk_padding_divider size=”50″ visibility=”visible-dt”][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h3″ color=”#300032″ size=”26″ force_font_size=”true” size_smallscreen=”20″ size_tablet=”20″ size_phone=”14″ font_weight=”bold” font_style=”normal” txt_transform=”none” margin_bottom=”5″ font_family=”none” responsive_align=”left”]

Samantha Whitman (she/her)

Administrative Coordinator

[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1721740806476{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Certifying Labour Doula Doula, Doula Canada[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_padding_divider][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1510846040371{background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0.75) !important;*background-color: rgb(255,255,255) !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][mk_padding_divider][vc_single_image image=”77279″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle_2″][mk_padding_divider visibility=”visible-dt”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3/4″][mk_padding_divider size=”50″ visibility=”visible-dt”][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h3″ color=”#300032″ size=”26″ force_font_size=”true” size_smallscreen=”20″ size_tablet=”20″ size_phone=”14″ font_weight=”bold” font_style=”normal” txt_transform=”none” margin_bottom=”5″ font_family=”none” responsive_align=”left”]

Shandelle Ferguson (she/her)

Doula Canada Instructor, Labour Doula and Postpartum Doula

[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1721740824699{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Certified Labour and Postpartum Doula (Doula Canada)

Shandelle Ferguson is originally from Newfoundland but now calls Nova Scotia her home. With a passion for changing birth culture in Atlantic Canada, you can find her chatting with other doulas, reaching out to birth professionals and helping new parents in their journey into parenthood. Shandelle is a certified Labor and Birth and Postpartum Doula with Blossom and Birth Doula Services.

A mother to three, you can find her drinking coffee, or wine, and spending time with her family.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_padding_divider][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1510846040371{background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0.75) !important;*background-color: rgb(255,255,255) !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][mk_padding_divider][vc_single_image image=”453212″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle_2″][mk_padding_divider visibility=”visible-dt”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3/4″][mk_padding_divider size=”50″ visibility=”visible-dt”][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h3″ color=”#300032″ size=”26″ force_font_size=”true” size_smallscreen=”20″ size_tablet=”20″ size_phone=”14″ font_weight=”bold” font_style=”normal” txt_transform=”none” margin_bottom=”5″ font_family=”none” responsive_align=”left”]

Nadine Ross (she/her)

Doula Canada Instructor, Labour and Postpartum Doula

[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1658929362741{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

Nadine Ross is the proud mother to four wonderful people, and two fur babies. Originally born in Calgary Alberta, Nadine has travelled extensively as both a child and young adult. During her time abroad, Nadine was able to immerse herself into different cultures and also had the opportunity to become fluent in both French and Spanish. It was during her time in Mexico that she taught English as a second language to adults and children, and fell in love with teaching.

After the birth of her four daughters, Nadine opened Kids First Daycare in 2003 where she began her professional work with infants and children for over a decade before taking her passion for babies and birth to the next level and becoming a full time doula. During her time running the daycare, she gained extensive experience with owning and operating a business as well as learning the ins and outs of being self employed in Canada. Nadine is now the owner of Beautiful Beginnings Birth Services and has been supporting birthing and postpartum families in Toronto and the GTA since 2016.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_padding_divider][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1510846040371{background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0.75) !important;*background-color: rgb(255,255,255) !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][mk_padding_divider][vc_single_image image=”453214″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle_2″][mk_padding_divider visibility=”visible-dt”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3/4″][mk_padding_divider size=”50″ visibility=”visible-dt”][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h3″ color=”#300032″ size=”26″ force_font_size=”true” size_smallscreen=”20″ size_tablet=”20″ size_phone=”14″ font_weight=”bold” font_style=”normal” txt_transform=”none” margin_bottom=”5″ font_family=”none” responsive_align=”left”]

Karena Dang (she/her)

[/mk_fancy_title][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h3″ color=”#300032″ size=”22″ force_font_size=”true” size_smallscreen=”18″ size_tablet=”18″ size_phone=”14″ font_weight=”400″ font_style=”normal” txt_transform=”none” margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”none” responsive_align=”left”]Doula Canada TA Instructor, Labour and Postpartum Doula programs[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1715185406475{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Karena is a lifelong learner who is passionate about sharing knowledge and skills with others.

She entered the birth world serendipitously, and had been supporting expanding families for a handful of years before the arrival of her first (human) baby in 2021.
Karena is the owner of Bumps Upon a Time – a doula agency based in Edmonton, and co-owner of Nest Integrative Wellness – a community-focused perinatal wellness centre in the heart of Edmonton. As a doula, she takes pride in imparting wisdom around Eastern-minded postpartum practices in a Western world.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_padding_divider][mk_padding_divider][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1510846040371{background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0.75) !important;*background-color: rgb(255,255,255) !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][mk_padding_divider][vc_single_image image=”469768″ img_size=”full”][mk_padding_divider visibility=”visible-dt”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3/4″][mk_padding_divider size=”50″ visibility=”visible-dt”][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h3″ color=”#300032″ size=”26″ force_font_size=”true” size_smallscreen=”20″ size_tablet=”20″ size_phone=”14″ font_weight=”bold” font_style=”normal” txt_transform=”none” margin_bottom=”5″ font_family=”none” responsive_align=”left”]

Asma Rahman

DTC Instructor, Certified Birth & Postpartum Doula

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Asma is a proud visible Muslim woman, an activist, a wife, and a mother to 3 wonderful kids.

Asma’s introduction to Birth Work came with the birth of her first born. Navigating the birth world as a mother and as a doula, Asma quickly recognized the lack of basic education around pregnancy and birth, and the need to advocate for better, evidence based, respectful care.

Asma strongly believes that Birth Work is Community Work. Her work is rooted in accessibility, anti-racism and advocacy. She believes that healthy parents and valued children are integral part of a strong community, and is actively working towards making this a reality.

As a self proclaimed birth-nerd, Asma is constantly looking to better her skills a Birth Worker. She is also a certified Evidence Based Birth Instructor and a certified Body Ready Method professional, specializing in functional mobility for pregnancy, birth and beyond. She is also the founder of Ruh Doula Care and Birth With Ruh, services and programs that aim to look at parturition from a Faith based lens.

[/vc_column_text][mk_padding_divider][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1510846040371{background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0.75) !important;*background-color: rgb(255,255,255) !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][mk_padding_divider][vc_single_image image=”549963″ img_size=”full” css=””][mk_padding_divider visibility=”visible-dt”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3/4″][mk_padding_divider size=”50″ visibility=”visible-dt”][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h3″ color=”#300032″ size=”26″ force_font_size=”true” size_smallscreen=”20″ size_tablet=”20″ size_phone=”14″ font_weight=”bold” font_style=”normal” txt_transform=”none” margin_bottom=”5″ font_family=”none” responsive_align=”left”]

Alisa Marie

Certified yoga teacher, breath coach, doula and birth educator.

[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1730298324290{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

Alisa Marie is a certified yoga teacher, breath coach, doula, birth educator, and photographer living in Alaska. For over a decade, she has been passionately guiding students on their healing journeys back to themselves through physical movement.Her teaching style is intuitive, embodied and non-traditional, blending raw authenticity with deep, healing expression.

Her practice honors the dualities of life and celebrates the fire and flower by activating the power within and allowing space for opening through somatic movement.

With nearly 15 years of experience in birth spaces, she is devoted to not only supporting the birth of a baby but also photographing and witnessing the profound transformation and rebirth of the mother. AlisaMarie shows up and invites others to step into their own journey of awakening, freedom and growth.

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