I attended my first birth in 1985. I was just an observer then but what I witnessed inspired me ever after.
After the birth of my first son, in 2003, I discovered a few things about being a new mother: knowing what to do in childbirth is not instinctual, medical staff usually don’t provide labour support or guidance and breastfeeding isn’t always easy to establish.
When it came time for me to rejoin the workforce following my maternity leave, I began dreaming of a way to help other women get the support during pregnancy, birth and new mothering that seemed absent. That’s when I discovered doulas. A dedicated person to be your companion on your journey to becoming a parent who could share their wisdom and help you find the information you needed the kind of birth you wanted? Sign me up!
In 2006 I traveled to The Farm in Tennessee where I participated in a three day training workshop that was sponsored by DONA. My trainers were wise women with long experience. I had the chance to meet and hang around with revered midwives Pamela Hunt and Ina May Gaskin. I returned from that experience transformed.
Immediately, I opened my business, formerly known as Hamilton Birth Revolution, to birthing women and their families in the Hamilton, Ontario.
When my second son was born at home, I had a doula at my side.
I am a DONA trained doula and a CAPPA trained Childbirth Educator.
I am the resident pregnancy, birth and early parenting expert at parentguide.ca.
I write for a variety of publications on pregnancy, childbirth and newborn issues.
I am the current Hamilton Regional Representative for DoulaCARE.
I am passionate about pregnancy, birth and newborns and am honoured to be a part of such a special time in my client’s lives.
If you would like to talk with me about your pregnancy and if you are interested in having a doula at your birth, you can email me at leanne@hamiltondoula.com.
