Birth Coach/TBA Services

You may be familiar with the role of “doula”, which is an unregulated expert in prenatal education, advocacy, providing comfort measures and support to birthing families without offering medical care, unlike a Registered Midwife or an Obstetrician. As a Birth Coach/Traditional Birth Attendant I work like a doula to offer support to families birthing their babies at home without a medical professional present.

What Does It Mean To Be "Unregulated"?​

  • Being “unregulated” means that anyone can work as a Birth Coach without fulfilling any specific requirement, so the knowledge base of those who support families at home greatly differs, as do philosophies, motivations, boundaries and risk tolerance.
  • Every regulated profession has a governing body whose mandate is to protect the public by creating a framework for training, certification, and maintaining skills. Being unregulated means there is no governing body for the work of a Birth Coach, however my care is governed by general laws such as the Ontario Regulated Health Professions Act of 1991 which mandates what professionals, and only professionals with a license, can do.
  • This lack of regulation also means there is no disciplinary process for myself or any other doula or birth worker who offers poor care.

Limitations

  • **I do not advise or manage your pregnancy, birth or postpartum but remain hands-off in a supportive role only**
  • None of my care is covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)
  • I can not order ultrasounds or lab work
  • I do not perform medical procedures (as listed in the Controlled Acts legislation), such as injections, vaginal exams, fetal monitoring in labour, etc
  • I do not attend clients in hospital, even if they transfer in labour or the immediate postpartum
  • I do not keep medical records on my clients
  • I am not God and am not in control of outcomes

So What Can I offer, You Ask?

  • Evidence-based prenatal education in real time
  • Prenatal teaching on how to measure your own blood pressure, check your urine, palpate the baby, listen to the heart (with fetoscope or Doppler), etc
  • Access to my book lending library, including materials from Ina May Gaskin, Rachel Reed, Sara Wickham, Lily Nichols, Jack Newman, etc.,
  • Lifetime access all my eCourses
  • Support for decision-making in real time with 24/7 phone support, 
  • On-call for in-person, continuous labour and birth support at home,
  • Postpartum support and assistance with breastfeeding
  • Infant Craniosacral therapy
  • Nutritional, herbal and lifestyle teachings for the prevention and treatment of disease
  • Support for navigating a hospital transfer if you choose

Contact Me to Learn More and Set Up a Free Consult!