My Professional Journey

My name is Chantel and I am the Doula behind Vanderhoof Birth Work. While doula work is new to me birth is not. I have spent the last 12 years working as a Registered Nurse within various medical settings including Labour and Delivery in Vanderhoof. This work has given me a solid understanding of the medical aspects of labour and delivery. Having a background in nursing allows me to explain medical procedures to you with a thorough understanding of what those procedures include. I have come to doula work as a way to use my knowledge in a more holistic manner. I am so excited to be able to spend the 1 on 1 time with my doula clients to best support them and their birth partners during the labour process. With my own birth experience I chose a midwife and while my dreams of an all natural delivery did not happen, what did was almost more magical. I ended up having a twin “high risk” pregnancy which meant shared care with a midwife and an obstetrician. I still had hope of a more natural delivery. However I ended up having an induction and eventually a c-section along with a NICU stay for my twins. My midwife had to give up care of me during the process and instead functioned as a doula for me and my husband. I got the chance to experience doula work as a client and truly believe she made what could have been a very overwhelming medical experience into a more explained, educated, birth experience for me. I offer a no obligation coffee meeting where we get together to chat prior to any decision being made to hire me. This is very important for you as I firmly believe you should only have someone who you feel safe with attend your labour. This session gives you a chance to ask any questions and also for me to get to know you.