About Me

Hi there! My name is Riley (she/her). Current Certified Birth & Postpartum Doula, formerly Licensed Practical Nurse, self-published author, birth nerd, and obnoxious newlywed.

My path to becoming a doula began before I ever took my first breath.

“Here is baby A…” the ultrasound tech said to my parents.

“…and baby B…”

My mother shot up her head “Oh my god! We’re having twins!?”

“…and here is baby C!” The ultrasound tech finished.

A few months later I was born along with my two carbon copies.

Between the many many questions and conversations about being an identical triplet, a lifelong passion, perhaps obsession, for pregnancy and birth was sparked.

From pretending my dolls were giving birth, to reading pregnancy books for fun at 13 years old- my mom would take the covers off when I read in public, I always knew I wanted to turn my passion into a career.

In Nursing school I was lucky enough to be placed in obstetrics and gynaecology for my final practicum placement but still didn’t feel like I had found the right mix of passion and career. I continued my search and finally found my home as a Certified Birth and Postpartum Doula!

I believe that bringing life into the world is fundamentally a profound moment in the lives of each family, deserving of individuality, autonomy, and respect. There is no “right” way for how a family is made, birthed, or lives. All families and births are welcome.

Some tidbits about me:

I'm a sushi & pasta addict
I love going on a road trip just as much as being at home with my wife
I enthusiastically pick up and drop hobbies
I love love love Easter! Not a fan of Christmas
Also not a fan of breakfast foods, and have been known to heat up dinner leftovers for breakfast
Am an excellent cook but hate cooking
Growing up, my Dad used to wake me up super on early on the weekends to go hiking (aka scrambling up shale on the side of a mountain) and so now I absolutely refuse to go hiking unless its phrased as "a leisurely walk through the trees"

Qualifications

Certified Labour & Birth Doula (Doula Canada)- Certification requirements included coursework in maternal anatomy & physiology, fertility, pregnancy & fetal development, labour stages & phases, medical options & interventions, comfort techniques & labour alternatives, and postpartum support.

Practicum included prenatal and birth support for three families.

Final exam mark of 99%.

Certified Postpartum Doula (Doula Canada)- Certification requirements included coursework in postpartum physiology, nutrition, postpartum mood & transitions, infant care, and infant feeding practices.

Practicum included postpartum support for three families.

Final exam mark of 96%.

Practical Nurse Diploma- 2.5 year (5 term) program. Courses included anatomy & physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, medical procedures & treatments, maternity nursing, pediatric nursing, mental health nursing, and more.

576 hours of practicum experience, with a focus on medical/surgical units.

Additional 320 hours professional preceptorship in high risk obstetrics & gynecology clinic, and gynecological surgery acute care.

3.76 GPA.

Complicated Birth & Support Workshop- Continued in-depth education about labour, birth, infant, and postpartum complications and how to provide doula support in those situations.

Postpartum Topics Workshop- Continued education about postpartum relationship dynamics, trauma, anxiety, mood disorders, body changes, pelvic health, and sleep practices & strategies.

Holistic Practices & Knowledge Workshop- Continued education in perinatal self care, emotional health support, social well-being, and environmental considerations.

Intentional Doula Workshop- Continued education in defining my personal doula practice and serving my community.

About Me: About Me