Our Toronto Birth Doulas and Postpartum Doulas
Our professionally-trained doulas support families in Toronto and the surrounding GTA. Offering various skills sets and experiences, our doulas work directly with you to understand what your personal journey is.
ANUTA BODARENKO ANUTA's BIO
Anuta is an experienced prenatal movement specialist who is also a birth and postpartum doula. Anuta focuses on helping her clients prepare their body for a birthing experience that is rooted in body awareness, trust and intuition, not in fear. As a somatic yoga teacher and certified Body Ready Method® pro, she identifies body imbalances and provides personalized movement tools to deepen your body awareness and ease pregnancy discomforts. She prepares you for childbirth and offers continuous support during labor and early postpartum.
Anuta joined Yoga Mamas in 2016 as a prenatal and postnatal teacher and her regular classes have been highly popular, often described as especially helpful for various discomforts associated with pregnancy and early postpartum. She also teaches a quarterly educational workshop on stages of labour and the role of movement called “Birth Flow”. Anuta completed her 200-hour Yoga teacher and personal development training with Downward Dog Yoga Centre in Toronto in 2012. She subsequently trained with Sasha Padron of Yoga Space to complete her advanced prenatal and postnatal yoga training in 2016. She regularly deepens her knowledge of human anatomy, biomechanics of childbirth and functional movement through various workshops and has acquired over 1000 hours in additional training. Anuta holds certifications in Functional Range Conditioning (FRC), MovNat and Body Ready Method® and has completed birth and postpartum doula training with DONA International. Anuta is passionate about helping moms have the most empowering experience of childbirth and postpartum as well as enhancing their busy lives with embodied, diverse everyday movement for healthier, happier lives. She enjoys a movement-rich life herself with her husband and three kids in Riverdale, Toronto. Credentials:
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SUKI GAETZ SUKI's BIO
Suki has a genuine, creative and real approach to life, whose passion for all things Birth and Babies motivated her to begin her next career journey as a fully trained Birth Doula. She comes from past work experience in the field of Social Services helping women, children and families advocate for support through difficult stages and experiences of life.
As a doula, she is eager to assist women through their births, so that they can have the kind of experiences that they envision as they go through this beautiful and unpredictable moment. She brings an easy-going, kind hearted and vibrant nature to the work with birthing people and their partners, and her ability to listen and empathize helps birthing individuals feel heard and understood. Suki's credentials: • Dona trained postpartum and birth Doula • certified birth Doula through Dona • social service worker diploma • bachelors of sociology • certified medical transcriptionist • Health Canada standard infection control • Dona infant sleep care for Doula’s course |
VIDYA TASA-CHADHA VIDYA's BIO
Vidya is a perinatal wellness specialist who has supported individuals and families in their fertility, pregnancy, and parenting journeys for nearly a decade. She has a degree in Gender and Women's Studies with an emphasis on Maternal and Child Mental Health and holds over 1,000h of formal yoga education specializing in perinatal functional movement. Practicing birth work in Mexico and apprenticing under traditional midwives has given Vidya an intersectional and culturally-sensitive approach to birth support, and has allowed her to witness the diversity of birth and matrescence in many forms. Her doula support is aimed at helping you connect to your innate rhythm and make grounded, evidence-based decisions about your birth journey. She also offers meal preparation and planning, wellness counselling, and yoga.
Credentials - Bachelors Degree in Gender and Women’s Studies with an emphasis on Maternal and Child Health (York University, 2020) - 1,000hr RYT (Yoga Medicine, ongoing education) - Certified Women’s Hormonal Health Specialist (Yoga Medicine, 2018) - Certified Sexual Health Educator (City of Toronto, 2018) - Certified Ayurvedic Wellness Counsellor (Hale Pule, 2021) - 3 years of apprenticeship experience under a traditional birth attendant - Volunteer experience with Indigenous midwives across Central America - Masters of Psychology (Kings College London) *in progress, graduating 2024 |
VERA KEVIC vera's BIO
Attending birth since 2004 (if you count her own 2 births!), and since 2014 as a professional doula, Vera is committed to bringing ease and fostering confidence in people during pregnancy and birth. Her goal as a doula is to prepare people to be the kind of parent they want to be right from the start with beautiful experiences along the way.
Her niche is working with mature birthers, solo parents, people opting for unmedicated birth, (particularly but not exclusively) out of hospital and especially water birth. She is skilled in acupressure techniques, rebozo use, hypno-birthing practices, infant baby wearing and is a lactation educator. She has had experiences in diverse households and cultures and can provide care that is appropriate and respectful, and always from an anti-oppression lens. Vera strives for a zero-waste life and can help parents with enviro-friendly tips to reduce their carbon-footprints (even the tiny baby one!). Vera is a Certified Labour Doula (CAPPA), Postpartum Doula, Lactation and Childbirth Educator, Placenta Encapsulator and Hypno-Birthing Professional (Mongan Method). She is co-owner of Doulas on Bikes, a business she runs with her sister Mira. |
ADRIENNE WETHERELL CD(DONA) adrienne's BIO
Adrienne is a birth & postpartum doula, yoga teacher, and proud mama. She attended her very first birth in 2012 and was immediately hooked! Adrienne offers caring, compassionate, non-judgmental support to expectant parents and is honoured to work with families during such a life-changing time. As an experienced doula, she supports clients who are low or high-risk, who have had fertility challenges, previous traumatic births or pregnancy loss, anxiety, depression and trauma.
A certified yoga teacher since 2005, Adrienne is passionate about making the practice of yoga a safe, nourishing and fun experience for her participants. She has taught in corporate, hospital and yoga studio locations throughout Toronto and has additional training in mindfulness, prenatal/postnatal yoga and trauma sensitive yoga. Adrienne gave birth to her breech baby in September 2013 and has since been journeying through the joys and challenges of motherhood. Credentials:
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RHONDDA SMILEY rhondda's BIO
Rhondda is a birth & postpartum doula, breastfeeding specialist, yoga & meditation instructor, who offers grounded and compassionate care to diverse families across Toronto. She feels honoured to be invited into some of the most important yet vulnerable moments of their lives.
She began supporting moms and babies over 15 years ago, providing breastfeeding support as a La Leche League Leader. Rhondda completed her first yoga teacher training with The Yoga Sanctuary in 2014, and soon added certification in prenatal and postpartum yoga. She has been practicing as a doula since 2015, and is certified by DONA. Her continuing education and certifications include: Rebozo, TENs Machine, When Survivors Give Birth, Birth Story Listening, Yoga Nidra and more. She holds a fine arts degree in dance, and has been practicing yoga for over 20 years. She has a Toronto Police Services vulnerable sector check, and Infant CPR and First Aid training. Rhondda is devoted to your birth and postpartum experience. All of her training, skills and expertise are at your service, so that you will feel prepared and confident. She listens deeply to what is most important to you, helping you to navigate the many decisions that arise, while supporting your choices without judgement. She is committed to using the most current evidence-based resources. As a movement professional, she shares practices and positioning to optimize your pregnancy and birth. Rhondda's yoga classes are loved for their meditative slow flow that leaves you feeling more ease and joy in your body, mind and heart. |
ALI SANTIN ali's BIO
Rooted in a deep desire to help people, being a birth and postpartum doula comes naturally and easily to Ali. She feels at the heart of her role as a doula is meeting you wherever you are. Which means tailoring her approach to meet that of your individual needs.
As a Mama of 2, she knows first hand that the pregnancy, birth and postpartum period can be overwhelming. In her experience having someone in your corner who is sensitive to your needs can ease the journey. Along with her experience, evidence based information, emotional and physical support Ali will always bring her love and care, nurturing you and your growing family. Credentials:
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NIKITA SHAHAMAT nikita's BIO
Passionate and intuitive, Nikita uses her skills to provide families with comfort and care through labour and postpartum. Her passions of childcare followed her throughout her life and spanned many different countries but this was what she was meant for. This calling has led to helping families through this short and precious moment in their lives. Nikita uses her knowledge to empower her clients to embrace a personal pre & postpartum healing journey. Assisting families through their many fluctuations of birthing, breast & chest feeding and adjusting to life at home. She hopes to change the stigma that women should do it all and do it with a smile.
Her hopes are to turn her clients into a village of people who learn and grow and feed each other with what they need for their families to grow harmoniously. Nikita is an inclusive LGBTQ+ advocate and believes all families should have the opportunity to experience birth and childbearing in their preferred way. She is here to provide knowledge, a sense of calm and support each family to their individual needs. Credentials
LEA BEAUVAIS leA's BIO
Léa is a Mama of one sweet soul and a lover of the perinatal period. Her own journey through matrescence (the transition to motherhood) sparked her passion for supporting parents through this vulnerable and life-altering season. She offers a compassionate, non-judgmental and trauma-informed approach to doula care. She also has a keen interest in helping parents process the time leading up to their birth and beyond, should they feel the call. She is here to lend a listening ear.
Léa has ample experience working with families from her many years as a parent and tot music teacher with Rainbow Songs. She also has training in prenatal yoga, kids' yoga, and Hatha yoga. She further supports families as a part-time receptionist at a prominent parent- and baby-centred health clinic. She is looking forward to supporting you! Credentials:
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GISELLE JOHNSTON Currently on parental leave giselle's BIO
Giselle provides support to birthing people during labour, postpartum families and those experiencing pregnancy & infant loss & termination.
Giselle became a doula because they wanted people to feel safe, validated and well cared for during the unique transitions that one experiences once they become pregnant. Giselle is a lactation counsellor with clinical training (Newman Clinic). They continue to provide in person & virtual care for families through perinatal education, evidence based information, and an attentive ear-free of judgement. Their full spectrum practice is rooted in reproductive justice and anti-oppression. Credentials:
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BRITTNEY NORMAN Currently on parental leave BRITTNEY's BIO
My name is Brittney and I am a trained Birth and Postpartum Doula as well as a Breastfeeding counsellor. My goal is to support and educate new parents and families, and help integrate a newborn into their home and lives. From a young age I’ve always been very passionate about childbirth and babies and like the “original doulas” (our neighbours, sisters, friends) I’ve supported those around me. I absolutely love being able to help during such an incredible time in people’s lives as they adjust to parenthood. I consider my role to be about making your experience beautiful and as stress free as possible, whether it be your first child or fifth. I know that not all aspects of being a parent of a newborn are easy and as flawless as the movies portray, but that’s why I’m always here to listen and support through it all.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a doula? When should you hire a doula? Read more of our Frequently Asked Questions HERE.
Toronto Doula Testimonials
When my husband and I first decided we wanted to hire a doula we didn’t really know what to expect but we did know the kind of support we wanted to have during the birth of our son. Adrienne is an amazing support tool not only pre-birth but during labour and post birth. During my labour she always had my best interest at heart and the entire time she was in total control of my needs and well-being. The best thing we did for ourselves was hiring Adrienne, she really made a difference in our experience ~ Amy
Words can’t describe just how grateful we are to have had Adrienne as our birth and postnatal doula. Her professionalism, communication skills, knowledge, and personal gentle touch was everything we could have hoped for! When I was on the fence about getting a doula, I had a friend say to me “Carla, I’ve never met someone that had a doula and said ‘Oh I really wish I didn’t have one!’ ” The moral of the story is that it’s a service that is undeniably helpful and comforting. And especially with Adrienne by our side. From our first visit all the way to the end, her service to us and our new baby has been nothing short of excellent. Thank you again Adrienne for all that you’ve done! We will never forget it!” With love – Carla, Ara & Baby Ava!
Having a doula for support before/during/after the birth was worth every penny. A huge part of my positive birth experience can be attributed to April’s services, as she prepared us so thoroughly that we were able to go into labour and delivery without fear, and she could anticipate the best way to support both my partner and I during the birth itself. I could relax during the experience knowing that we had a knowledgable person on our team, and that my husband could tag out with someone I could trust as need be. I would recommend hiring a doula 1000 times over! ~ Whittney
Having our doula, Giselle Johnston support my partner and I through the process of welcoming our baby and the early days of parenthood and breastfeeding was the best decision we made for our baby’s birth. Giselle helped us get ready through thoughtful physical and mental preparation, we went into the delivery room confidently and once there had amazing support and advocacy which helped us have a positive birth experience even though we had a number of complications. Not only was Giselle there for me, making sure I was doing well throughout my labour and immediately after delivery; Giselle was also there for my partner, ensuring that he felt supported so that he could be our number one source of support. In addition, following our baby’s birth we were fortunate to have Giselle provide us with breastfeeding support and to ensure that we were doing well as a family during the early postpartum days. I highly recommend having a doula’s support as you prepare to welcome your baby, during labour, and during the early postpartum period. ~ Andrea
We were so amazed with her {Suki's} support and openness throughout the process that I wanted to take the time to share what a great experience that was. I am sure anyone would be fortunate to have her as her doula. ~ Veronica
Hiring a doula was the best decision my husband and I made when preparing for the birth of our daughter. We had no idea what to expect, as it was our first, and we felt so supported and safe throughout the entire journey. We will definitely hire a doula again if we have another child! ~ Doula client
I would 100% hire Rhondda as our doula again. She was considerate, kind and supportive and is an expert in her field!
~ Doula client
As a first time mom I had no idea just how much I needed a doula. I wanted to feel supported in my natural birth plan & advocated for if I was unable to do so for myself. This led me to Yoga Mama's & after a few interviews, I found Ali. She was always there for me through my pregnancy whether it was a phone call to ease my mind or just a text to answer a quick question. Without her I would have made myself panic numerous times googling, & would have felt very unprepared. During my birth I really don't think she could have been more encouraging & supportive. I felt like she was my family & really had my back. Even though it was the most painful & difficult experience of my life, I think back & smile. I felt very safe & taken care of, & my husband could not have been more impressed. Ali is an extremely genuine person & I am forever grateful for the beautiful memory of bringing my little girl into the world. It would not have been the same without her caring presence. Everyone should definitely have a doula.
~ Doula client
