Naturopathic Labour Support Services

I provide my services as a naturopathic doula in Nanaimo and surrounding areas (Ladysmith to Parksville/Qualicum Beach). I became a birth doula because I have always had a strong passion for pregnancy and childbirth. It is commonly perceived that birth is something to fear and that it is too painful to do without intervention. My goal is to empower women to trust their body’s ability to birth naturally and provide the education needed to make informed choices about their birth experience. Natural childbirth is intense, hard work but it is also one of the most powerful, life changing experiences you will ever have. All women should have the support to choose to birth naturally, in their own way, and at their own pace.

A Doula's Role

As a Naturopathic Doula, I am a trained and experienced professional who assists women before, during and/or after childbirth, as well as her partner and/or family by providing information, physical assistance (pain management) and emotional support utilizing Naturopathic modalities.
 
As a naturopathic doctor, I'm able to provide prenatal care including help with nutrition, supplement recommendations, and various techniques for easing the challenges of labour. Working with a naturopathic doula gives you the added benefit of working with a medical professional educated in the physiology of birth and equipped with tools to aid in common challenges of birth and labour, including baby position, stalled labour, avoiding induction, and pain management.

Studies show that women given support in labour:

• Are more likely to give birth spontaneously
• Are less likely to use pain medications
• Are less likely to have a c-section
• Are less likely to have assisted deliveries with forceps or vacuum
• Are more likely to be satisfied with their birth outcome 
  
• Have slightly shorter labours 
• Have greater breastfeeding outcomes
• Have increased self-esteem
• Suffer less postpartum depression
• Have babies that are less likely to have low five-minute Apgar scores
  

Naturopathic Labour Support Package Includes:

• Complimentary meet and greet
  
• Two one hour prenatal appointments
  
  • Used to develop birth plan, help prepare family for the birth and go over any questions and/or concerns.
    
  • Discussion of breath, movement, and relaxation techniques for pain management and the doulas role in labour and birth
    
  • May also include nutritional support, safe herbal and homeopathic suggestions, natural labour induction methods, gentle support to turn a breech baby
    
• 4 weeks of on call doula care - availability by phone at any time of the day/night to answer your questions or attend your birth
  
• Continuous care during labour and birth
  
  • From whatever point in labour (whether early or active) that parents feel that they could use my support
    
  • Providing physical and informational support
    
  • Working with all other healthcare providers and family members to ensure as positive birth experience as possible
    
  • Help to make birthing area safe, calm, welcoming space with minimal distraction
    
  • Provide support to partner or other parent to ensure they feel informed, helpful and taken care of
    
  • Support to labouring parent to feel calm and focused
    
• One postpartum home visit
  
  • Review the family’s birthing experience, go over any questions and concerns, provide basic breastfeeding and lactation support
    
  • May also include nutritional support, safe herbal and homeopathic suggestions, basic pediatric care
    

Fee: $900

Naturopathic care through labour and birth is covered by most extended benefit plans under naturopathy.

This package has a $450 non-refundable deposit for reservation of labour care. Payment plans are available.

Please contact me directly through my contact page to inquire about availability or with any questions you may have.