About Me | Baby Steps Canada Doula Services

Meet Riley

The Doula Behind Baby Steps

Hi, I'm Riley- a family doula, photographer, educator, and proud nerd for evidence-based care. I created Baby Steps to be a sanctuary of smart, steady, heart-led support for growing families.

I don't believe in telling people how to give birth or take care of their babies. I believe in walking beside you, providing information you can trust, support you can feel, and space to do it your way.

Certified Labor & Birth Doula (Doula Canada), 2022- Certification requirements included coursework in maternal anatomy & physiology, fertility, pregnancy & fetal development, labor stages & phases, medical options & interventions, comfort techniques & labor alternatives, and postpartum support.

Practicum included prenatal and birth support for three families.

Final exam mark of 99%.

Certified Postpartum Doula (Doula Canada), 2022- 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, 2016- 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.

Perinatal Mental Health Seminar- Continued education in mental health considerations and warning signs through the perinatal time.

Perinatal Pelvic Health Seminar- Continued education in pelvic health considerations through pregnancy and postpartum.

Fetal Flexion Prenatal Education Class- Continuing education on body prep and labor/birth positions for encouraging fetal flexion (chin-tucking) during labor.

Exploring Breech Birth- Continuing education discussion in current information and approaches to care with breech babies.

I'm honored to have supported over 25 births & 15 postpartum families.

Experience with:

Midwife and Doctor attended births
Hospital and home births
Water births
Vaginal, assisted, and cesarean births
Induced and spontaneous labors
Non-medical comfort tools (i.e. birth combs, movement, TENS machine, etc.)
Medical comfort tools (i.e. epidurals, laughing gas, morphine)
VBACs
High risk and low risk pregnancies and births
IVF pregnancies & births
Twin birth support
Twin postpartum support
Body/breastfeeding, formula, and bottles

You'll never be told to "just breath" here. You'll get real tools, thoughtful care, and a nonjudgmental presence that respects your version of birth and postpartum.

Whether you're planning an unmedicated home birth, cesarean birth, or anything in-between, I'm here to support your plan, your people, and your process.