Doula & Childbirth Educator
Hello, I'm Natalie
I am a Labour and Postpartum Doula, Childbirth Educator, and an advocate for young families in the Niagara Region.
I live in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario with my husband, Adrian, our daughter, Olive and our Goldendoodle, Archie.
I have always been supportive of mothers and families but became more seriously interested in becoming a professional Doula after experiencing my own pregnancy and empowered homebirth.
My labour and delivery did not go exactly as planned, but I felt prepared and supported to allow the delivery to unfold without trying to control it. I recall feeling empowered by my birthing support ‘team’ to stay on track with my birthing preferences, despite the intensity and discomfort of labour. This is what made my birth a positive experience for me.
I now feel a strong calling to support other families through the intimate transition to parenthood. My main indicator of success as a Doula is that my clients have positive memories about the way their children make their entrance into the world.
Not everyone desires a medication-free homebirth like the one I had, that’s what makes each birth unique. I honour every family's birth preferences and will assist my clients to feel relaxed, comfortable and safe in whatever environment works best for them!
My job is to support and empower you to find your inner strength, so you can birth your way.
I'll be there to help you to navigate any bumps along the way- from conception to postpartum!
Benefits of Doula Care
- Setting up the birthing space to ensure it’s calm, safe, and relaxing (dimming lights, playing your favourite music, placing affirmations around the space)
- Providing light touch massage, putting pressure on your back and using Rebozo techniques to ease the discomfort of contractions
- Aromatherapy based on the scent preferences
- Providing praise and encouragement during challenging moments
- Encouraging breathing & relaxation techniques
- Suggesting optimal positioning for pain relief and labour progression
- Encouraging the birthing person to communicate their birth preferences with their doctor/midwife in an effective way, and provide information and resources about any procedures and interventions
- Supporting the partner (if applicable) to allow them to stay focused on the birthing person's needs.
- Acting as a gatekeeper to protect the space and the wishes of the birthing person
- TENS machine
- Birthing ball
- Massage tools
- Rebozo
- Breastfeeding support
- Support with the emotional and physical recovery after birth
- Light housekeeping (including baby's laundry, dishes, tidying)
- Assistance with newborn care such as diapering, bathing, feeding and comforting
- Sibling and partner support
- Light meal preparation and planning
- Baby soothing techniques
- Referrals to local resources (parenting classes, paediatricians, lactation support and other parenting support groups)
- 9% drop in the use of pain medication
- 31% drop in the use of Pitocin (for labour induction)
- 34% fewer negative birth experiences
- 40 minutes shorter labour
- 28% fewer Caesarean births
- 12% more spontaneous births
- Higher APGAR scores
- Increased breastfeeding success
Source: https://americanpregnancy.org/labor-and-birth/having-a-doula/
Packages
Birth
- Consultation (free, no obligation)
- Info Package with personalized, local resources
- 2 Prenatal Home Visits
- 24/7 On-Call from 38- 42 Weeks
- Labour & Delivery Support*
- Immediate Postpartum Support
- 1 Postpartum Home Visit
Birth, Reiki & Meditation
- All offerings in Birth package, plus:
- 1 Prenatal Reiki Session (60 min)
- 1 Postpartum Reiki Session (60 min)
- Prenatal Home & Nursery Energy Clearing
- Personalized Meditation & Affirmation Recordings
Birth & Childbirth Education
- All offerings in Birth package, plus:
- Participation in private Childbirth Education class
- Assistance in creating and communicating Birth Preferences
*Up to 18 hours without backup
All packages include amateur, unedited photographs of birth on request and with consent.
Postpartum Doula Packages
While family and friends are often focussed on the newborn, as a Postpartum Doula I focus on supporting the person who gave birth, as well as the family as a whole.
I can provide resources and support on emotional and physical healing after birth as well-baby care, establishing breastfeeding and much more.