Meet our MACFE Doulas
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Julie Western (currently not taking clients)
I have been a Doula with MACFE since 2011. I have attended over 100 births which have ranged from natural, medicated, induction, c-section, breech birth, VBAC, vacuum and a forceps birth. I have been married for 20 years and I have 3 children of my own which I gave birth to all naturally in a hospital with a midwife. I think having the constant one on one care with a midwife is what I loved the most and why I think having a Doula at a birth is so important. It was from that experience and the fact that I love talking and hearing about birth is why I decided to become a Doula. Sometimes in labour, things don't go as planned but there is always a beautiful baby as a result and it is so exciting! As a Doula, I want to make your birthing experience as wonderful as I can and I hope to make all your requests on your birth plan happen. In our Prenatal visits we will get to know each other better and talk about what your expectaions are for the time of birth. After the birth I will be there for you to help you out with breastfeeding and any questions you may have. In the fall of 2012, I started teaching the MACFE prenatal class, which I enjoy a lot. I love teaching excited expecting parents what is to come and how their lives will change! Lorie Peters My husband and I have been married 35+ years and have 9 children and a bunch of grandchildren. I first heard about a doula when I was pregnant with baby no. 5. I had a doula for the next 3 births and my last 2 births my doula was my midwife. The care and support I felt during pregnancy, labour, delivery and postpartum led me to want to become a doula. I wanted other women to feel that same support I did. Being a doula, to me, means supporting the couple in whatever choices they make. I want to empower them and have them come out feeling strong and ready to be great parents. I have been with MACFE since 2008. I am also a prenatal educator and doula instructor. I have attended over 100 births, in the hospital, Birth Centre, home birth, wherever a person wants to birth. I also enjoy taking photos of the birth journey. My husband and I own and operate a dairy and grain farm. Some of my other personal interests are gardening, raising monarch butterflies, reading, photography, and hiking. Lorraine Goudie I have been a Doula with MACFE since 2014, As of this year I have attended over 80+ births. My births range from natural, medicated to c-sections, in hospitals, birth centres and at homes. Things don't always go as planned so I help you with a wish list for your birth journey and always try to take pictures during your birth if you want. I love being part of welcoming a new life into your family unit what ever it may be. I enjoy being part of an organization that helps everyone no matter what, so you have support before, during and after you have your baby. I was raised in the country and love plants and animals, I am always looking for new crafts to do or planning trips all over the world. Rachel Burak I remember very well the first birth I ever attended - I was a child at the time, and I went home that day feeling an overwhelming sense of amazement that I had just witnessed something incredible. My journey in becoming a birth doula began in 2014, and in these years of offering birth support, that feeling I had at first never left me. Every birth I have witnessed is different. Each one is unique, and each is special. As a doula, I see my role as offering care, support, and resources that fit your own family's needs and goals. I firmly believe that families and individuals should have the opportunity to make informed decisions and choices surrounding their birth. My heart is that you would gain confidence and self-assurance to not only birth your baby, but also start the next chapter of life with confidence. My experience varies from supporting unmedicated births, homebirth, belly births(c-sections), bereavement support, and offering services in a cross-cultural setting. In 2018 I completed my Birth Doula Certification with CBI(Childbirth International). When I am not at a birth or reading books about birth, you can find me out discovering new places with my son and husband...or in my garden with a cup of strong earl grey tea! Juliet Benjamin I became a midwife shortly after I had my second child. I did not have the care of a doula and desired to offer women the support I had not received. As a result, I served women as a midwife for many years. Recently I retired, but my love for childbirth made me continue in a supportive role as a doula. I enjoy providing women support and care during pregnancy, labour and post-delivery. And working as a doula allows me this opportunity. Like my other colleagues, my goal as a doula is to help clients have a comfortable birthing experience, whether at home, hospital or in birthing centres. I am a mother of three and a grandmother of six. My hobbies include spending time with my grandchildren, creating handcrafted jewelry and travelling. Katrina Tessier I became obsessed with birth as soon as I started planning my pregnancy. From the day I got the positive test I was off to find a midwife & a doula to be my birthing team. Which for a first pregnancy at age 24, I now realize is very on point with my type A personality. Only planning one child, I was so pleased to get the birth I had desired and it’s become my goal now to help others do the same, from first birth to whenever you’re done, from home birth or hospital. I believe mindset is a huge factor in every intention we make in life, especially with birth and as a doula my goal is to create that positive space for you mentally, emotionally and physically. Karina Cycay Prenatal, birth and postpartum have always been a passion of mine. As the youngest in my family I grew up babysitting my neices and nephews at a young age. I worked in a daycare for many years, I currently do respite for children with special needs. I now have two young girls of my own. All which have blossomed my passion. When I delivered my babies I had my partner and my mother (who is a doula as well), there to support me. She helped and supported me in a way, that I feel every woman should experience. To be seen, heard, held, comforted, coached and to feel safe in one of our most valuable and vulnerable experiences in life. Bringing a baby into this world is so much more than just the birth, it's about the experience as a whole; from prenatal to postpartum. I want to help give parents a more wholesome experience from offering support, suggestions, advice, resources and hold a safe birthing space. I grew up in the country and really enjoy getting out into nature. I enjoy going on hikes, fishing and camping with my family. My hobbies at home include; reading, crafting, macrame, plants, gardening, and cooking. Nataly Ponce Motherhood changed my life, not only in the most obvious way but because it's what introduced me to the amazing role and impact a doula can make. I wanted to become a doula after I received the support of one myself, and the only thing that I could think of after my own experience was ¨how did I not know about this before?!¨. Sadly, it wasn't just me in that situation but many others too, and that's when I realized I wanted to provide that support and advocacy for families so they could have a positive birth experience as everyone should. It truly was an ¨aha moment¨ in my life. I became a certified doula in 2015 in my home country Ecuador, and paired this newly found passion of mine with my professional career as a Physiotherapist. I even made my degree thesis about the non-pharmacological measures available to help with pain during labor, a.k.a what we as doulas do! It was a breaking point for me to realize I could merge these 2 important aspects of my life together to bring awareness and support to future moms and families. I’ve attended natural, induced/medicated births, c-sections, as well as home, hospital and birth centre births. I can honestly say there hasn’t yet been a time where I haven’t teared up when baby and mom meet for the first time. Is an energy that can’t be beat and it fills up the room. Being an immigrant to Canada and having the opportunity to keep accompanying families in their journey to parenthood is exciting and fulfilling for my heart. *Fluent in Spanish and English. Deborah Boufini Ever since I was a child myself, childbirth has held a special place in my heart. It is this profound passion that led me to become a doula. I wholeheartedly believe that every family deserves a birth experience that overflows with love and warmth. I am here to provide unwavering support and nurturing care as you embark on this remarkable journey. Together, we'll create a harmonious and empowering environment tailored to your unique desires and needs. It would be my privilege to join you on this extraordinary path, ensuring that your birthing experience is filled with profound love. |