Doula Services
Supporting expecting women and families during pregnancy, labour and postpartum to give birth on their own terms and empower themselves for birth and beyond.
Giving birth is a life changing event in a lot of women’s lives.
It is a rite of passage into motherhood.
How you feel when you give birth has a ripple effect into your postpartum period and can have a profound impact in your mothering journey.
At Gaia Mama Wellness we believe that women don’t need to learn how to give birth.
Women need to learn and deepen their trust in themselves, their bodies, their intuition and empower themselves.
Birth is a process of turning within, of trusting and leaning into the unknown and allowing it to unfold. It is a process of surrendering to the sensations, knowing that it is temporary.
Instead of telling you what to do and how to do it we support you by encouraging you to follow your instincts and meet you with gentleness. We’re here to witness your power and strength and no matter where you are in your journey we meet you where you are. We aim to support you in developing these skills for birth and motherhood. Because they are not just helpful for birth but for living LIFE!
We of course provide all of the foundational knowledge you need to know the basics of birth, the general stages and phases of labour, different scenarios, interventions, coping strategies, etc, etc. But our main focus is helping you get comfortable with the unknown, getting to know what your fears are and helping you work through them all while supporting you in trusting yourself, feeling connected to your body and trusting your inner wisdom. These are life long skills that you will need to be a parent to your new baby! Just like we can’t predict what your labour will be like and how it will unfold… your baby doesn’t come with an owner’s manual!
Motherhood requires you to have a strong sense of self, inner knowing and trusting your instincts. Don’t forget babies don’t talk for the first couple of years and we’re all just winging it. We support you as you begin to grow this capacity during early motherhood.
Ideally, you will throw out whatever baby / pregnancy book you’re reading and begin to trust that you know how to do this… women have been birthing babies and raising them forever without knowing how to. Our goal is for you to begin to rely on your own inner wisdom. Yes, we still believe knowledge is power, but when we rely so heavily on outside sources and disempower ourselves by thinking someone else knows best is where we go WRONG.
We have loads of knowledge and information that we have sifted through for you so you don’t have to do it all yourself and have created hours of content in our online courses that you get FREE access to when you work with us as your doulas. We don’t want to spend all of our prenatal meetings educating you and your partner…, we want to spend that time listening to what you want to share with us. Getting to know you. Answering any and all of your questions and getting comfortable with each other. Women need to feel safe and comfortable with the people that are supporting them in labor. And we care about WHO you are and what you need to make that happen.
You don’t need more information. You’re overwhelmed with information. Social media, friends, family members, doctors, etc all want to tell you how and what to do the moment you get pregnant and sometimes even long before that.
You want emotional support and someone to encourage you to find your own way, to follow your instincts and support you in those decisions and celebrate your choices.
You want someone who gives a damn. Forget short appointments that are only concerned with your blood pressure and how your bump is measuring… we want to sit and listen to all of your concerns, your deepest desires, wishes and hopes for this birth and how to make that happen.
You don’t want a stranger at your birth. Too often we hear from expecting mothers that they felt like their doula was a stranger. We want to get to know YOU and your partner so that everyone feels comfortable and safe during labour.
You’re ready to do the internal work and mentally prepare so that no matter what happens… however your birth unfolds YOU will be ok. You’ll be more than ok, you’ll be great.
You want to empower yourself to feel confident heading into labour and able to make decisions with ease because you’re so tuned into your body and baby.
When you work with us as your Doulas, you will get
- Continuous labour support-physical, emotional and informational with 1 doula from your team
- 1-2 Doulas to draw various support, information and knowledge from during your pregnancy, labour and postpartum
- A hybrid model of support and education: we give you access to our online courses to learn the information you need to know so that we can spend our 1:1 time together answering your questions and getting to know each other, building a relationship and coaching you to feel confident, working through blocks and fears related to birthing and parenting
- Hands-on support and labour massage (or guidance for the birth partner) for pain management and comfort measures for natural or medicated childbirth
- Our intuitive, grounded and calm presence to help you feel reassured, encouraged and informed throughout labour
Evidence shows that continuous support can:
Decrease the risk of Cesarean
Decrease the use of medications for pain relief
Decrease the risk of a low five minute Apgar score
Increases satisfaction and the chance of a spontaneous vaginal birth
Shorten labor and decrease the use of Pitocin. *
Supported Birth Experience
- Unlimited Text Support for pregnancy, birth and postpartum questions in a WhatsApp Chat with two doulas which starts at time of hire up until 6 weeks postpartum
- On call 24/7 from 37-42 weeks (or until baby is born)
- Continuous labour support and 1-2 hours postpartum with 1 of the doulas on your team
- Ongoing emotional, physical and informational support throughout birth
- Assistance with coping strategies and natural pain management support
- Labor massage, acupressure and/or reflexology and assist partner in labor massage
- Initial Breastfeeding support (if needed)
- TENS Machine Rental
- Access to ALL of the Birth Preparation Course we have on our online Academy to supplement our prenatal meetings
- 3 Prenatal Meetings to:
- Get to know each other!
- Discuss your ideal birth scenario(s), birth planning and how we can best support
- What to expect in Labour, how to cope and what options are available to you
- Preparing for the postpartum period
- 1 postpartum visit to discuss:
- provide feeding support, answer questions, provide resources and referrals if needed
- the birth, put together a birth timeline if you wish for one
- more visits are available as an add-on for additional support in the transition to motherhood
INVESTMENT: $1000 + GST
For couples who wish to have more prenatal meetings we offer a package upgrade to 6 prenatal meetings for an additional $300
Payment plans are available. A minimum 25% deposit is required to book us for your due month and all payments are due in full the on-call period at 36 weeks.
Postpartum Package Add-ons to help support your transition to motherhood:
5 Weekly visits (60-90 minutes long) during the first 40 days of postpartum with one of our postpartum doulas (Jennifer or Amy) to:
- Care for your baby while you have one on one time with older children (or vice versa), take a shower, eat or prepare a meal, check email, accomplish things around the home, or for the parent(s) to eat an uninterrupted hot meal together, etc.
- Provide Breastfeeding support and local resources
- Identify family sleep goals and create a short plan to implement
- Meal/snack preparation
- Discuss emotional adjustments, coping strategies, and local resources for postpartum depression and anxiety
- Discuss newborn care concerns (what is normal and what might not be)
- Home organization help – how to set up breastfeeding nooks, and changing and bathing stations to simplify caring for your newborn and make your spaces as comfortable and functional as possible.
- Infant soothing methods & strategies
- Physical recovery support for the birthing parent (tips, tricks, resources)
- Time for the parent(s) to do some self care with the reassurance that a trained professional can care for their child(ren) while they’re busy.
- Timely referrals to local resources, support, and other postpartum professionals (as needed)
- Help with babywearing and learning to use whatever wraps or carriers you have on hand
- Recipes and information on traditional foods fed to newborn parents, if interested.
- Baby Care support- bathing, diapers, feeding and soothing
- Specialty support for women who have experienced a c-section
- Hospital support if your baby/babies are in the NICU
- Support for Families of Multiples
INVESTMENT: $400+GST
Package also includes unlimited texting on WhatsApp for the duration of the package.
Can be purchased separately for non-birth clients for $500 and will include an additional meeting prior to the birth to discuss postpartum planning and meet your doula.
Other Postpartum Services:
3 hours Postpartum Visit: $125 First Visit, $100 Subsequent Visit
Emergency Breastfeeding Consultation In Home: $75
Birth Pool & TENS Rentals
5 Week TENS Machine Rental $55+ GST (included in the birth doula package)
5 Week Birth Pool in a Box Rental $250+GST
- Rental will be dropped off at 37 weeks and picked up after birth within 25 km of Winnipeg or Steinbach, MB
- Includes everything you need for a home water birth: tap adapter, pool liner, single use hose, air pump, sump pump, debris net
About Your Doulas
Lori
Lori of Gaia Mama Wellness is a mom of two young children (7 and 4), and has worked with hundreds of families as a Massage Therapist specializing in Prenatal/Postpartum Massage. In addition, she works as a doula to support couples during pregnancy, labour and early postpartum.
She is passionate about empowering women to trust their bodies, the birthing process and their intuition to give birth in the ways that feel right for them. Her vision is to help more women have satisfying birth experiences where they feel supported, nurtured and confident.
Lori and Amy currently work together as a team to support birthing families in Winnipeg, Steinbach and SE Manitoba.
Jennifer
Jennifer is a Birth and Postpartum Doula, Breastfeeding Educator, Childbirth Educator, Massage Therapy Student and a mom of 5 children. She is passionate about pregnancy and birth and helping moms during the postpartum period. She has completed her doula training through MACFE and Bebo Mia and has attended the Spinning Babies workshop. She is currently studying to become a Massage Therapist.
Jennifer’s vision is to remove fear from the birth space through educating families on birth and postpartum so they can be confident in their choices and feel empowered.
Jennifer currently works solo to support families with Lori and Amy as backup care. She is accepting clients in the Winnipeg, Manitoba area for birth and postpartum.
Lori has been amazing in her support and I am very excited for her future as a doula! She provided wonderful emotional support, acupressure and counter pressure techniques during labour. She quickly stepped up to task right away. Lori did an amazing job, thanks so much again and we are forever grateful in your attendance for the birth of our daughter.
~Jenny W.
As a first time mom, I didn't know I was in labour or if what I was experiencing was the real deal. Lori was ready to go and met us at the Birth Center and went straight into action mode by providing comfort and juice/water for me. Hearing her words of encouragement during my pushing helped so much as I thought it was forever away until my baby was born, but she reassured me I was so close to meeting baby and it truly helped me along. Lori held space for me and my family and I am so grateful for her during it. She is an amazing doula.
~Andrea C.
The care and support that was provided to me before, during, and after having my baby was so wonderful and each part essential - from refreshing my knowledge of the labour and birth process to the care and support while preparing to give birth, to the post partum care once we got home…I couldn’t have asked for better care. The post partum package especially, for a new mum and a household struggling to adjust, was everything to us and I have never felt so nurtured and cared for. Thank you for all that you do!!
~Becky H.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are doulas like midwives?
- They do not perform clinical tasks such as vaginal exams or fetal heart monitoring
- They do not give medical advice or diagnose conditions
- They do not pressure the birthing person into certain choices just because that's what they prefer
- They do not take over the role of the partner
- They do not catch the baby
- They do not change shifts (although some doulas may call in their back-up after 12-24 hours)*
Are your services covered by Insurance plans?
Do you offer payment plans?
Are you certified doulas?
It’s important to have a connection and feel comfortable with your doula. We offer free consultations to get to know one another and find out more about you, your support team and your birth!
Email lori@gaiamamawellness.com to find out about dates of availability or to schedule a consultation.
Fun, interactive, group prenatal classes for modern parents-to-be in Steinbach, Manitoba so that you can feel prepared, empowered and confident heading into birth.
It’s totally normal to feel nervous and excited all at the same time when you think about giving birth whether it’s the first, second, third or tenth time! If you’ve given birth before, maybe you want to do things differently this time around.
You want to feel empowered, confident and aware of your options surrounding birth.
But it can be really hard to discern fact from fiction with all the birth stories out there, social media articles and movies portraying birth in a negative or false way.
Not to worry - after taking our birth classes you will walk away:
- With a sense of trust in your body and what it is capable of
- With a confident Birth Partner who is familiar with birth and knows how to support you
- A clear understanding of Physiological Birth and what you can do before and during labour to encourage a normal, healthy birth
- Knowing your options (whether you are birthing at home, birth center or hospital) in Birth and how to navigate interventions
- A Birth Plan that you can provide your health providers to help communicate your wishes and preferences regarding care during labour
- Tools for Coping with Labour Pain and Strategies for Labour Progression
Taught by passionate doulas and birth educators who support all birthing families in a judgment-free, supportive and welcoming environment. We take a holistic approach to birth by looking at all aspects - physical, mental and emotional - of the birthing and labour process. Get all the information that you need to make informed choices, give birth in the way that feels right for you and learn how to birth with comfort and ease.
In our comprehensive Mindful Birth and Postpartum Preparation Classes you will learn about:
• The Mind/Body Connection
•Mindfulness and Pain Perception
•Stages and Phases of Labour
•Breathing, Relaxation and Coping Strategies
•Birth and Body Confidence
•Navigating Your Options & Medical Interventions
•Birth and Postpartum Planning
•Breastfeeding and Newborn Care
About the Instructors
Lori
Lori of Gaia Mama Wellness is a mom of two young children (7 and 4), and has worked with hundreds of families as a Massage Therapist specializing in Prenatal/Postpartum Massage. In addition, she works as a doula to support couples during pregnancy, labour and early postpartum.
She is passionate about empowering women to trust their bodies, the birthing process and their intuition to give birth in the ways that feel right for them. Her vision is to help more women have satisfying birth experiences where they feel supported, nurtured and confident.
Jennifer
Jennifer is a Birth and Postpartum Doula, Breastfeeding Educator, Childbirth Educator, Massage Therapy Student and a mom of 5 children. She is passionate about pregnancy and birth and helping moms during the postpartum period. She has completed her doula training through MACFE and Bebo Mia and has attended the Spinning Babies workshop. She is currently studying to become a Massage Therapist.
Jennifer’s vision is to remove fear from the birth space through educating families on birth and postpartum so they can be confident in their choices and feel empowered.
Upcoming Group Classes
October 8-29, 2022
Saturdays 9:30-11:30am
$250+ GST per couple
Lori hosts small group classes in her home of 2-3 couples.
To find out when the next one will be or to get on the waitlist Email lori@gaiamamawellness.com
Online Self-Paced Courses
Available Courses:
Coping Strategies
for Labour $47
Labour 101 $47
Coming Soon...
Mental Preparation for Labour $47
Physical Preparation for Labour $47
Postpartum Preparation, Breastfeeding and Newborns $47
The instructors were personable, funny, and very knowledgable. They each came with loads of personal and professional experience within their branches of work, tons of knowledge and they honestly made an all day class filled with information (2 Saturdays in a row) fly by!
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I take classes?
Plan to take your class while you are 28-37 weeks, if you are wanting to do private classes. The beauty of our online courses is that they are self-paced so you can start them anytime...even a few days before you go into labour if you're a last minute person. If you want to do private classes virtually or in your home contact us.
Do I need to watch the courses with my partner/husband/boyfriend?
Yes!
Sometimes they get more out of it than you do because we find they are less likely to read books about birth (Some, not all!). Some partners also find they feel more connected to the pregnancy and leave feeling really confident about birth which is really reassuring and comforting for the person birthing.
Is this class right for me? I am planning a home birth.
Yes, of course! We cover all types of birth.
Is this class right for me? I am planning a hospital birth.
Yes, of course! We cover all types of birth.
I’ve had a baby before, can I still come to this class?
Absolutely! Whether you are a first time or
It’s important to have a connection and feel comfortable with your doula. I offer free consultations to get to know one another and find out more about you, your support team and your birth!
Email lori@gaiamamawellness.com to find out about dates of availability or to schedule a consultation.
1:1 Prenatal Support to help you thrive during pregnancy and prepare for an empowered birthing experience.
My vision for you is that you feel calm, confident and empowered to give birth anywhere, any way and with anyone no matter what happens. And that confidence comes from within. Building trust in yourself, your body, your intuition and your baby. Let’s work on that together!
I use my toolkit as a bodyworker and birthworker to assist you with:
- ongoing emotional support
- creating more supportive self-statements, thought and belief restructuring
- physical and mental preparation for birth
- prenatal yoga and self massage instruction
- connecting you with resources and referrals when needed
-teaching you and your partner hands on strategies to cope during labour
-helping you get clear on your birth plans and self-advocacy in the labour room
-previous birth debriefing
Prenatal Coaching was born during a time of uncertainty. When birthing women are not sure whether or not they will be able to have a doula present, let alone their partners.
But what we've realized is that this is something women have been needing all along.
My goal has always been to support women in feeling connected to their bodies and their inner wisdom. I love being a doula, but with things constantly changing I realized I needed to create a new offer to really help women feel confident giving birth without the extra support of a doula.
And then something really cool happened. I watched my 1:1 clients become more resilient, less outcome focused and more in tune with their bodies and their intuition. They became confident in their choices and empowered.
With 1:1 Prenatal Coaching Support, you’ll:
- receive unlimited text and email access to a trained birth worker and bodyworker so you can get straight to the support you need
- be able to focus on your unique journey and make progress at the pace that is comfortable for you
- enjoy bodywork sessions tailored to you that will soothe your nervous system and release restrictions to help make space for baby and birth (optional add-on)
Sessions are tailored to your individual needs. Every woman or birthing family may need something different to help them prepare for birth and parenthood. I draw from all of my various trainings in:
- prenatal massage
-maternal support practitioner (doula)
-prenatal yoga
-childbirth education
-craniosacral therapy
-birth art (coming soon!)
to create a really unique experience for you!
Do you want to take a holistic approach to birth preparation?
Prenatal Coaching Support Package includes:
- Access to our Online Courses- Labour 101, Coping Strategies and more ($200+ Value)
- Book "Heart-Centered Pregnancy Journal" by Nikki Shaheed
-Worksheets and Handouts to help you prepare for birth
- Referrals to additional health care providers
3-Pack:
Three 60 minute virtual coaching sessions ($490 value)
$300 plus GST
5-Pack:
Five 60 minute virtual coaching sessions ($670 Value)
$500 plus GST, payment plans available
Individual Sessions:
One 60-90 Minute Virtual Session (does not include any extras) suitable for prenatal coaching or birth debriefing post birth
$100 plus GST
My experience with Coaching Support from Lori was wonderful and lifesaving. In a time of deep grief and loss I was validated, felt held and heard. Lori is calm, empathetic and has kind eyes. Our coaching sessions were always welcomed because I knew I would learn, gain new insight and overall feel more grounded afterwards. It was so helpful to have a safe space to share my grief without judgment and with utmost compassion. It is clear this work is not a means to an end but a passion and a gift that comes naturally to her.
~Anonymous.
Lori and the birthing course are amazing!! It totally prepared my partner and I for the birth of our child. For me as the birther/mother it prepared me for the unknown of birth, helped me with my fears and limiting beliefs of birth itself and myself as well. She helped connect me to my body in a deeper way and to learn to trust in it. For my partner it helped to become the doula in place of the doula at the birth. He really was an amazing support during the birth. It also helped him feel more confident and comfortable and especially having the birth at home. From before meeting Lori and taking the birthing course to after, we made a huge leap of confidence and trust in ourselves and each other. She was a huge support and resource to making our birth as special as possible.
~Amy E.
Frequently Asked Questions
I'm not sure what package or level of support to choose.
That's okay! For anyone looking for Support I like to do a Free 20 minute call to get a quick idea of where you're at, what kind of support you are looking for and the level of support you need. We can then decide together what is best for you! Send me an email lori@gaiamamawellness.com to get started today.
How do I book my appointment?
You can email me at lori@gaiamamawellness.com to get started. Once we decide on the level of support and package you require I will send you an invoice for your package. After your invoice has been paid we will set up your coaching calls.
What forms of payment do you accept?
Credit card or e-transfer.