I am a mother of two boys, ages 17 & 6 years old as well as a three year old daughter born in June 2008. My oldest son Dylan is Adopted. He had been my foster brother since he was 11 days old… my husband & I adopted him when he was 6 years old. When I became pregnant with my son Ayden, I planned a home water birth with a midwife, doula and family. He surprised us coming 11 days early and positioned posterior. I worked through a long, hard labour at home as long as I could & chose to go to the hospital for pain relief. I remained informed & empowered and my son was born 8 hours later in hospital. My daughter Abrielle was born at home in a birth tub. I was surrounded by my husband, midwives, doula and youngest son. I was in labour for 7 hours and pushed for only 20 minutes. The birth of my own children has enlightened me to the power of a woman’s body during birth and the importance of support, encouragement and openness to change plans during the labour process.
I am also a Paramedic & Emergency Medical Dispatcher with the B.C Ambulance Service. This has been my career for the past 18 years, the last 14+ years in the Vancouver Dispatch Center answering 911 calls & dispatching ambulances. I found my passion as a doula in December 2003, taking my doula training & 18 hour breastfeeding course at Douglas College as well as my childbirth & post-partum educator training through CAPPA.