Hello! My name is Chelsea!
Birth + Postpartum Doula
Childbirth, Postpartum, and Infant Feeding Educator
Public Speaker and Maternal Health Advocate
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As a Doula, Childbirth Educator, and proud birth nerd... my motto has always been: "The more you know, the less you fear".
I am passionate about sharing a deeper understanding of what is happening to our bodies, minds, and emotions during Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum. I absolutely love it when this deeper understanding leads to greater confidence to practice self-Advocacy! I am available to host workshops, and private birth plan / birth debrief consultations.
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I am the current owner and one of the Educators of Childbirth Kingston. CBK is a hub of Maternal Advocacy in Kingston, ON, as well as offering in-person Childbirth Education to my local community.
CBK has worked to build our relationship with the Queen's University and maintains regular affiliation and placement programs with Queens School of Nursing. My role as an Educator has also allowed me the opportunity to showcase and provide resources on the "Doula Model of Care" with the School of Nursing as a whole.
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As an Advocate I am proud to be a leader and participant in many important programs and project groups here in Kingston. CBK is a member of the PEN (Prenatal Education Network) with the South East Health Unit (Public Health), KAPS (Kingston Area Pregnancy and Postpartum Professional Network), and other community based advocacy groups.
CBK is also working toward improved Postpartum outcomes for families by developing the Birth Story Reflection Tool. A way for mothers, fathers, birthers, support people, and practitioners to debrief and collect their thoughts + feelings around a Birth experience.
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What is a Doula?
How are Doulas different than Midwives or OB's?
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Doulas have a very different role to Nurses, OBs, and Midwives. Support from a Doula does not involve medical care.
Doulas specialize in providing Emotional, Informational, Physical and Partner care.
Doulas also encourage Self-Advocacy in order to support our clients to take an active role in their Birth experience and choices.
What does EMOTIONAL support from a Doula look like?
A Doula's role in the Birth space is to offer reassurances, encourage calm, build confidence, and help make the Birth room feel cozy and safe.
We specialize in mental and emotional comfort and coping techniques. We use these tools to encourage confidence in the process, and create environments where Oxytocin can thrive!
What does INFORMATION support from a Doula look like?
Birth is a Physiological (automatic) function of our bodies.
Knowledge of the normal processes of Birth and WHY they occur, is an essential part of Informed Decision Making.
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To make truly Informed Choices around care, birthing people need to know:
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What is happening in their own bodies,
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What to expect through the experience,
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What their choices and options are, and
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The Benefits/Risks and Alternatives of each choice (BRAIN).
Doulas keep actively up-to-date on research, current evidence, and best Birth practices. A Doula is not invested in the choices you make, instead we aim to make sure all the information about that choice is presented.
What does PHYSICAL support from a Doula look like?
Doulas acknowledge that some people find touch helpful, and some do not. That is A-ok! Birth can be such an instinctual process that sometimes actual touch is not necessary! Doulas help by using gravity, position changes, specialty tools and/or counter pressure to make Birth more effective and comfortable!
We use relaxation techniques to optimize rest, encourage sleep and help conserve energy.
Physiological Birth requires a balance of both!
What does PARTNER support from a Doula look like?
Doulas hold space for Partners and support people to experience their own unique journey through the Birth process.
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A Doula will work to make sure Partners:
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are encouraged in their important role during Pregnancy, Birth, Postpartum, and Parenting,
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are given space and time to experience their own emotions, and
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have the tools to Advocate for their partners and families.
What is the EVIDENCE for Doula support?
The Doula Model of Care is effective, in part, because a Doula provides Continuity of Care. This means a Doula works with you from Pregnancy, through Birth, and into the Postpartum and infant feeding.
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It doesn't matter WHERE you give Birth, HOW you plan to Birth, or WHO your provider is: a Doula is there to support YOU and your choices.
Doulas don't work for Healthcare providers, we work for you. We aim to support you through Birth in a way that makes you feel safe and in control of your OWN experience
Did you know the support from a Doula can...?
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- Decrease your risk of an unplanned Cesarean birth by 39%
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- Increase your chance of a spontaneous vaginal birth by 15%
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- Decrease the need for medicinal pain relief by 10%
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- Shorten the length of your overall labour
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- Decrease the baby’s risk of a low five minute Apgar score by 38%
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- Increase your chances of feeling satisfied and empowered by your birth.
Contact
Want to chat to see if we would be a good fit to work together? Let's Connect!