Tag: Mentorship

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Where My Doula Journey Began…meet Ashley

 In November of 2007 my best friend gave birth at just 17, to a beautiful baby girl. I walked with her through her entire pregnancy and motherhood journey. It was a journey that no one is ready for at 16 years old, but as her best friend I stood by her and provided endless support while everyone else walked away. She was a single mother at 17 and together we raised this little girl for the first year of her life. Then her little brother came along and everything changed. Now there were 2!

In October of 2008 she gave birth to a precious little boy. Not only did I get to stick by her side and support her prenatally through this pregnancy, this was my first birth experience. It was the most amazing, crazy, scary moment of my life, at 17 years old that’s not usually what you think you’ll love to witness. I remember supporting her through the birth, not knowing a damn thing, but when she felt that she couldn’t do it any more and I was right there beside her giving her empowering words, some maybe a little blunt (lol), but I got to support her through that moment in her life, ME, her best friend. The rush I felt was unexplainable, I felt like a million bucks. We were closer than ever!

In October of 2014 she gave birth to her third child, another precious little boy. I remember the call like it was yesterday. Just after 10pm at night she called me to tell me she was in labour and out the door I went. Again as her best friend I supported her through her birth, giving her the empowering courage and support she needed to birth her son. Thus being the third time with her down this road together, I knew exactly what she needed from me. And once again this amazing rush of excitement, empowering energy and exhaustion rushed over me. Every moment was amazing; again watching her bring life into the world was priceless.

WHO knew that there was an actual word for this! Not just a word, but a career.

After this wonderful journey I never thought any more into it, other than knowing how much I love birth and babies. Then in June 2015 I found out I was pregnant and in August 2015 we found out we lost our baby, he/she stopped growing at about 7 weeks although I carried till 11 weeks. We were devastated at the loss of our baby but were so very blessed to become pregnant shortly after. October of 2015 we found out we were pregnant again! And in June 2016 I gave birth via Cesarean to a beautiful baby boy, Mason James. He was perfect in every way. But my birth experience was far from what I had planned. I was open going into my birth but did not expect at all what I actually went through. Having almost every medical intervention possible; my water broke due to super low amniotic fluid, induction because I wasn’t progressing on my own, an epidural because “I didn’t need to be a hero during my birth” and listening because I trusted my nurses, to a Cesarean birth because Mason’s heart rated dropped and he reacted to the Pitocin. All after 12 hours of labour.

I was so excited to have my little boy in my arms and being his mommy was the best feeling in the world, no matter what I experienced, so I told myself. And it was, but at the same time I had this hole inside me that felt sad and empty about my birth experience. This changed me and how I looked at life and so my life changing decision began as I searching for a way I could help women experience birth in a better way. Thus leading me to finding out what a “Doula” was!

WHAT I’ve been doing this since I was 16, blew my mind!

I instantly knew this is what I wanted to do. I had done it three times before and loved every moment of it! From 16 years old to now my passion for birth has only grown stronger. It just took 10 years for my true path to shine.
I loved my career as an ECE but after the birth of my son, it was time for a change. I was different; I knew I had grown and that growth lead me to find my inner passion for birth work. I felt so passionate about becoming a Doula and I knew I loved everything about it before I started, as I had done this so called “Doula” thing a few times before!

I started MyDoula journey training with Doula Training Canada and created my business, MyDoula+ Birth & Wellness Services in December 2016. Since then I have climbed my mountain quickly with the amazing support of the Doula Training Canada family of students and wonderful instructors and mentors I have around me.

I my friends am a Kick Ass Birth & Postpartum Doula with the DTC organization, a Lactation Educator and soon to be Reiki Practitioner, specializing in fertility, birth and postpartum treatments. I own my own Business and all my dreams have manifested into my reality. I love all things fertility, pregnancy, birth and postpartum! And supporting and empowering women and their families through the most intimate, amazing, scary experience in their life, on this journey we call parenthood, is what I do!

Please stay tuned for the next big step in the MyDoula+ journey! To be revealed soon!

Ashley is a mama to a handsome little boy, Mason and a wife to a wonderful man. She has an open outlook on life and love things that bring positive energy into our lives! Laughter is the best medicine.
She is an Early Childhood Educator; The owner of MyDoula+ where she is a Birth & Postpartum Doula; Lactation Educator and soon to be a certified Reiki Practitioner specializing in fertility, birth and postpartum energy work.
www.mydoulaashley.ca         Facebook & Instagram @mydoulaashley
 Doula services Serving Prince Edward County, Quinte West, Belleville, Northumberland and Lennox & Addington. 
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Members

Doula: Just the Right fit. Meet Kelly a Doula Canada Graduate

 Two years ago, I was a new Massage Therapy graduate. Throughout my Registered Massage Therapy (RMT) schooling, I had always been interested in pregnancy and pediatrics. I thought I wanted to be a midwife- I loved the idea of helping women feel empowered bringing their infants into the world. I quickly realized how difficult midwifery school is to get into (in Ontario they only accept about 10% of applicants). I had recently heard of Doulas, and thought that becoming one would look good on my midwifery application.

About a week after hearing about Doulas I found myself applying for a position at a local maternity studio that was searching for an RMT to provide massage to six clients per week. I based my cover letter and resume off the fact that I was planning to be a Doula and would be a good fit for the company. Little did I realize that my interview was with Shaunacy, a then-instructor for the Healing Arts Learning Organization (HALO); a Doula training company. She quickly convinced me to take my certification through HALO. I had the lovely benefit of one-on-one training with Shaunacy. A couple months after beginning my certification, HALO became Doula Training Canada (DTC), with Shaunacy as director.

After going to a couple births, I realized that being a Doula was more fitting for me than a midwife. As a Doula, I can choose when and how often I want to be on-call. I appreciate that it allows me to easily run my business as a Massage Therapist and Doula simultaneously. I also appreciate that we are non-medical support. The only thing I feel responsible for is supporting the birthing person. I know that I am not responsible for the baby, an IV, a monitor, checking dilation, etc. and this frees me to focus all my attention on the person giving birth. I love that fact, and that it allows doulas and midwives to work harmoniously alongside one another.

Throughout my training with DTC I have experienced the lovely, close-knit community of students and alumni that offer true support to one and other as we navigate the profession. DTC incorporates Education Units as part of its certifying process which is wonderful because it places value on continued learning. Since becoming a doula, I have taken courses in the pelvic floor, pediatric massage, prenatal massage, advanced comfort measures, breastfeeding, business, water birth, birth trauma, belly casting, and henna belly blessings. I have also begun teaching Childbirth Education Classes, started my Childbirth Educator Certification through DTC. I plan to teach infant massage classes and prenatal massage classes in the Peterborough area this summer/spring. I am always interested in learning and growing within my profession and DTC provides me with avenues to do so- while working it into my certification.

I have learned that being a doula is the right fit for me and I am so appreciative that Doula Training Canada is the community that taught me that.

Kelly is a Doula and RMT as well as practices Henna, and teaches childbirth education classes in Peterborough and the surrounding area. She enjoys spending time furthering her education, so you can often find her attending workshops, reading books, teaching classes, etc.  http://kellyswiftdoula.wixsite.com/kellyswift
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About Us

Becoming Doula.. Meet Sondra, your Doula Canada program coordinator

 

Reflection is always challenging for me. It requires honesty and insight and a moment to breathe. Sitting here watching my babe sleep it seems like a lifetime ago that I stepped through the chiropractic office in Kingston and began this journey to becoming doula with Doula Canada.

My path to becoming doula started from pain and desperation. That is hard to admit. I was burnt out in my job, desperately trying to get pregnant and seeking anything that could help. Social media lead me to a fellow birth professional and instructor, and in turn led me to Doula Canada. I needed hope. Hope that life could be different, that I could love what I did again, that I could be connected to pregnancy and birth even if I could never bring a child onto the planet through my body.

That weekend was both difficult and inspiring. Sitting in a room, some women with babes and some without, talking birth. I did not know a lot. I realized that weekend a passion that I had been missing for a long time.  I was absorbed in learning and excited to start this new path. I dove in. Signed up for any course I could afford, bought all the required readings and started in. In 6 months I had completed all my written requirements and had 2 births scheduled. I signed up to support teen moms through Jessies Centre. I was on a mission.

My first birth was a teen mom. My connection with her was amazing. The birth was beautiful. Then I was berated by the nurse after for interfering with her relationship with the mother. I left that birth in tears. Terrified that my personality meant I could not do this. I realize now that birth planted a seed of doubt I would find hard to shake. A voice in my head that was fed through my personal struggles. One that would get in the way of stepping into my vision.
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I attended many more births, holding on to the ideal but there was a voice that kept telling me there is no way you could make a living at this. It stalled me. I started to question my validity as a birth professional, the viability of this as a career, and I was drowning in personal pity.

Then, what feels like a miracle happened. I got pregnant. Life got real. Do I return to a job that leaves me depleted or do I dive into something that has the potential to feed my soul and offer me the time to be with my child. More barriers to work through, more junk, but then it clicked. I needed to shed my skin, that happened literally and emotionally for me. Now was the time. Jump in or let go.

Now I have 2 beautiful girls ( one newbie at 3 months old) and I am an Instructor at Doula Canada. My passion for birth  and postpartum evolves with each new turn of this career. I LOVE teaching and sharing wisdom with the diverse community that attend our trainings. I love my littles and am a bit of a TV queen. ( Who doesn’t love to escape into some trashy TV?)

My route to certification is not an unusual one. Often, life gets in the way. Working as a doula is not an easy path. Life on call, hustling to build your business. It can be bumpy. It definitely was for me.

So why Doula?

Passion is only part of the process. If you love birth and all things baby then that is a great start. This work is rewarding and filled with both those things. You will walk away from most births glowing with excitement, but let’s get real.

  • Doula because you are passionate but also want to work hard
  • Doula because you love babies but also want to help create a supportive birth environment for the birthing person
  • Doula because you want to work for yourself and are willing to hustle to get your business off the ground or connect with others who already have
  • Doula because you want to support birthing women and families in their journey and know that sometimes it will be difficult
  • Doula because you want to find a support network that builds you up. ( I promise you here at Doula Canada that will happen)
  • Doula because you always want to learn and grow and know that diving in will fill you up in ways you never expected.

These are just some of the reasons I Doula. I can wait to hear why you Do?

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About Us

Part Rockstar, All Heart: Doula Canada’s Director, Shaunacy

Doula Canada would not be what it is without our intrepid leader!

In the year since Doula Canada separated from the umbrella agency Healing Arts Learning Organization the organization has grown and grown.  So on the anniversary of her becoming Director we sat Shaunacy down to answer some questions about just who she is and what she sees in the future for Doula Canada. 

Who are you? 
I am career doula mother of two, lover of concerts, and Director of Doula Canada.  My journey into the doula world fell into place after a career as a graduate student student who felt the calling for supporting those in her community.  

What do you love? How do you fill your days? 
If I’m not answering the call to action from our passionate Doula Canada family you can find me sipping a cold cider by a camp fire, or playing baseball with my family in the backyard.  I love 3 seasons of the outdoors (staring you down winter), and crave adventure – especially in tropical destinations with pacific sunsets.  

What is your  favourite movie:
Almost Famous  “It’s alllll happening.”

What plays in your ear when you want to rock out? :
Anything loud and obnoxious (but most definitely NOT Nickleback).

Tell us about where you were before you became a Doula?:
12 fun years of University, from Canada to Scotland and back.

What drew you to birth work?
It can’t really be explained in words.  I woke up one day and just thought “I want to do that.”  So I did.  There was a need in our community for doulas, and so I created the market.  After the first couple of clients I was hooked, and have been working with between 36-60 clients a year since beginning.  This year I am semi-retired and only taking 12 (ok, I have 14 booked).

What have you learned over the years in the business? 
I have learned that collaboration is key, that you are only as successful as the sum of the parts that work with you.  It can be difficult starting a business, operating a business, supporting a business, and staying passionate about your business all at the same time.  Seek adventure and inspiration from those around you, those who make you want to be the best person you can be; for your community, and for yourself.  There will also be others who seem more ahead or who seem to be copying everything you do.  Sage advice I once received:  “You can’t win a race if you are always looking behind you.”  

Why Doula Canada?
Doula Canada is more than a training organization.  It is a family.  We are open to our students 24/7, in order to ensure they are feeling well supported and mentored in their journey.  We understand what they are working towards, because we are living and breathing it every day.  We are passionate about supporting our communities and recognize that this means developing doulas and programs that speak to the Canadian experience.  Our team comes from a variety of educational, professional, and organizational backgrounds.  We are a mosaic of learning, just like the depth and beauty of this great nation we call home.

What do you want students to walk away with from the organization?
I want our students to take away confidence.  If we remove the term “doula” from the description of what we do, then what are we?  Confident communicators.  Our students leave our program feeling ready to meet, support, and herald the power of continuous support by highly trained professional support persons.  In short, when you become a Doula Canada student you immediate learn the affirmation “I’m going to effing kickass at this doula thing!”  Why can our students say that?  Because we set them up to succeed in their respective communities.

What inspires you?
People.  Our journeys are so complex and interwoven with vulnerability and wonder.  When I see the joy a person has after they succeed it gives me inspiration to move forward.  When I see the vulnerability that each person possesses it reminds me that we are all similar in so many ways, and it inspires me to stay true to my passion and my purpose.  Life is full and every day is an inspiration is more ways than one.

What do you see for the future of Doula Canada?
Doula Canada has a bright future because of the hundreds of individuals who create its personality and its focus.  We will be aiming to provide further learning opportunities, both within Canada and abroad.  I am also currently working on some fun events for our current student body and alumni, so that we can come together as a strong and vibrant organization at least a few times a year.  We have quadrupled in size this past year and this train is not about to stop moving down the tracks anytime soon.

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Mentorship

What happens when a Doula crosses the room?

 

What happens when a Doula crosses a room?

CONFIDENCE!

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 Doula Canada recently attended the Birth & Beyond conference in London, Ontario.  Birth professionals from across Canada came to build skills and awareness on hot topics circumventing the North American scene… oh, and to rub shoulders with the “who’s who” of birth and baby related goodness.  Hey there Ina May!

There were many inspiring moments at the conference; when you’re in the same room as Gena Kirby or Ina May Gaskin it is difficult not to be inspired!  *fan-girl moment of the year!*

However, the Doula Canada team recognized something more about this event and its importance to our students and alumni.  What was wonderful about Birth & Beyond was its ability to create confidence in our Doula Canada students and alumni.

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 One of the keys to success and competency as a Doula or Childbirth Educator in Canada = confidence.

Doula Canada knows that feeling self-assured is an important player in feeling ready and able to instill those same qualities in the expecting or new families we support.  More “I know what to do” and less “I’m really not sure what the hell I’m doing!”

At Birth & Beyond those who were awestruck by being in the presence of some of the great birth minds eagerly walked across the room and shook hands with the persons they were at first uncomfortable approaching.  With confidence.  With stride.  With the knowledge that they, like their mentors, believe in making a difference.  With the recognition that they knew WHAT to do and WHY they were doing it!

At Doula Canada we wholeheartedly work to mentor our students in order that they overcome these insecurities and ROCK their DOULA or CBE CONFIDENCE.

We believe that certification is the first step to pulling those shoulders back as you confidently move towards the “I am a good Doula,” mantra we embrace.

We also believe that challenging you to move forward, despite criticism from other organizations or practicing stakeholders is proof of YOUR CONFIDENCE.  Naysayers gonna hate or, as our favourite famous Jennifer Lawrence so eloquently put it “Don’t worry about the Bitches!”

So whether you are in this Doula or CBE journey with us already, or have been pondering taking the leap to joining our growing DTC family, we encourage you to take those steps confidently.
See those goals across the room and confidently move towards them.  With trust, with belief, with credence, and with conviction (oh look…. synonyms for the word confidence!).So what do you get when a Doula walks across the room?            A confident opportunity.

Are you ready to Doula Canada?

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Business Mentorship

Can Canada employ more Doulas?

Doula Canada takes a look at whether Canada can employ and train more Labour Doulas…

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The Canadian birth and parenting scene is strengthened by organizations and personalities who recognize the difference each province dictates.

We are not homogeneous, and as such our training and practices should be different than certain, ahem, friendly neighbours (“howdy-ho there neighbor!”).

As an organization focused on Canadian birth and perinatal experience we make it Doula Canada’s mission to imbue ourselves in an open discussion with Doulas and Childbirth Educators in each Province and Territory.

We are curious about how others feel in our profession, what is working for them, what are their struggles, and how an organization like DTC can positively encourage those experiences.  ​

One of the main concerns we hear from Doulas across Canada is that the market feels saturated.  Many have shared that they can sometimes feel deflated and unsupported in an economy where Doulas can still be misunderstood.

These comments got our wheels spinning!  Is the Canadian market saturated?  Can training organizations, like ours, sustain themselves as Doulas increasingly certify and support families?

YES.

The answer is that simple.  ​

Can you be a full-time Doula in your community.  Yes.

First, let’s look at the numbers:

In our initial studies we have focused strictly on Labour Doulas, as it’s the most common certification program in our country, and the one we discussed most with Doulas from B.C to Newfoundland.

The Canadian birth rate has increased.  Slowly, but it has still increased (good work little buddy!).  Following the diagram below you can see how many births per a province were registered for 2015/16, and how many Labour Doulas each province could argubly sustain if each Doula were working full-time (48 births a year… which is like, whoa, A LOT!).  Now let’s also consider that some of these Doulas may also be Postpartum Doulas or Childbirth Educators…. or both (full-package perfection!).   Busy Canadian Doulas unite!

The argument that Canada cannot sustain more Doulas, let alone government subsidized or employed Doulas, is false.  In fact, many Provinces (we’re looking at YOU Western Canada) could see tremendous opportunity in this profession!Booking flight….now….ok…..check…. (guilty plug of 2017 training schedule HERE).

So how can YOU success as a Canadian Doula?

At Doula Canada we know that the key to Canadian Doula success for our students and alumni is diversifying their offerings.  Many Doulas and CBEs offer further value added services that offset the slower months of client support.  Workshops or encapsulation, sleep consulting or belly binding,  whatever your jam is, knowing that you have an opportunity to reach potential clients through more than an on-call schedule is an important business PEACE OF DOULA MIND.

Perhaps you may consider diversifying your certifications?  We strongly feel that becoming a Childbirth Educator is a sure-fire way to build any birth/baby related business; you meet families eager for education and then eager for continuous support.  Our expert trainers are living proof!

We also believe that cross-certifying with numerous organizations through your Doula career assists in building expert knowledge, while allowing you to connect with other like-minded Doulas (connection is KEY to success… see HERE)

We’ve seen Doulas and CBEs in communities of less than 40,000 persons THRIVE.

How?

A strong support system, business minded practices for the CANADIAN market of our profession, and EDUCATION.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE: our initial studies have shown that Canada can sustain a deeper growth of Doulas, HOWEVER Doulas seem to be more successful when they look to external supports.  This means strong certification agencies, available government or systemic funding for their business and for potential clients, networking opportunities with community stakeholders and yes, even supporting other Doulas.   *insert sound of shock*

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“But I’m not getting enough clients so why would I support other Doulas?”Because it will build your confidence.

It will move YOU, to move FURTHER.

It will keep one snow covered toe in best business practices (like not trash talking the competition!) while the other is off to support the abundance of clients that presents themselves on your (email)doorstep.

It’s also the nice, ahem, Canadian way!

Can Canada sustain more Doulas.  Yes, please!

(And we haven’t even started to chat about Perinatal Support or CBE opportunity…. whoa!).

Are you ready to Doula Canada?

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Members Mentorship

Canadian Doula Olympics!

 

In the Spirit of 2016 Rio Olympics!
Canadian Doulas kickass because…

Have you been watching any of the 2016 Rio Olympics on Facebook (let’s be honest… who watches TV anymore?!).  ​

The inspiring display from our Canadian swim team and Women’s rugby over the past few days has started a fun little conversation about how Canadian Doulas would fare as an Olympic sport (Hello!  We have stamina to stay up for hours on end!) AND about what makes Doula Training Canada unique as a purely Canadian run and focused organization.

Here are some of our student and alumni comments on why Canadian Doulas and DTC are specimens of unique athleticism in the world of Doulas:

“It’s all about community, eh.  A giant Olympic Doula village coast-to-coast 365 days a year!”

“Canadian Doulas are birth athletes!”

“DTC isn’t governed by a large organization.  That’s pretty rad – we haven’t sold our Doula athletes to corporate sponsorship yet!”

“Our “coaches” are wonderful.  *now please give me a pass on my verbal presentation*”

“DTC Doulas are going the distance!”

“Each of our “athletes” brings passion for their “game” and determination for “success” to their clients (sort of like a gold medal of honour around their neck!)”

“Canadian Doulas are worth their weight in Gold.”

“Canadian Doulas look really great in sports gear.  I love my track pants and runners for those long births!”

“We don’t advocate, we empower.  All the families we support are part of a team that build each other up to create strength and unity.”

“Our support goes the distance.  I don’t mean just one end of the country to the other.  I quite literally mean I am learning from a distance.  Self Study for the win!”

“We sit, stand, and squat for thee Canada!  We’re like birth gymnasts!”

Join the DTC Team of Doulas!

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Business

Doula Shaming: How to Spot the Professional Bully

There’s a pandemic of shame happening in the Doula world right now and it’s time we cleared the air on the adult bullying and elitism currently running course.

The Doula profession has taken off in the past decade, with more people acknowledging the overall value in the attendance of a Doula through labour and into the postpartum period.

Big certification agencies are now competing with boutique certification agencies, all making claims that they are “premier,” “modern,” “professional,” and “comprehensive.”  Each vy for the attention of potential students who are searching for the “right” certification agency for them.  Their “Doula family,” if you will.

Loyalty to a Doula organization, no different than loyalty to a family member, runs thick.  Students and alumni square off to defend their own and herald the joys of their experiences.  This is to be expected – after all they did choose them in the end!

Unfortunately as a result of this need to choose we have seen a number of our Doula sisters become subject to a stream of bullying that is uncalled for and completely unprofessional.  The explicit questioning of ethnicity, language, and choice of certification agency by some of the “leaders” in certain organizations is, to be blunt, disgusting.  These same people are teaching their students that it is important to book clients by being nurturing and professional, yet in the same breath demanding their audience “do what I say” or “hit the highway.”

​Um, what?!

Watching some of these conversations go down over social media is like watching the mean girls in fifth grade pass notes back in forth at the expense of their bullied victim.  Like, super mature (insert eye roll).

Here’s the thing.  The mean girl eventually just becomes known as a bully (I actually thought of another 5 letter ‘b’ word… but I’m playing nice today friends!).  The bully’s game becomes tiring and no one wants to play anymore.  As Doulas become recognized by policy makers, and regulatory associations grow collaboration will prevail over competition.  The mean girls may even find themselves on the outside looking in.
There is no “right” or “wrong” way to Doula.  There is YOUR way.  Can certification organizations give you training and mentorship to move you toward success?  We hope so!

However, what you do with the information you are given lies no where but with you.  There is no magic bag of tricks to guarantee that you are going to be the most successful Doula in your community.

Do we want to mentor you to make it happen?  Absolutely!

Can a certification agency guarantee it at the expense of others?  No flipping way.

We applaud the growing body of certification options available to incoming Doulas.  Personal choice and satisfaction is an important component to successfully fulfilling your Doula goals and living your passion each day.  However, what we (insert I) do not condone is the tactics of bullying and elitism that some of these options are employing.
So, in stereotypical Canadian fashion.  It’s time to play peacemaker.  It’s time to play nice.  No one likes to be bullied.  It’s time for the Doula world to grow up and work collaboratively together.  Are you ready to Doula Canada?

Here is a fantastic article by Amy Gilliland from “Doulaing the Doula” about things to consider when choosing a Doula Certification organization:  Click Here.