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.
GISELLE JOHNSTON 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. Trainings & experience include:
MARIA TAMAYO Warm, intuitive, and knowledgeable; Maria has worked with children and families for many years, following her passion in caring for others. She came to Toronto in 2011 and here is where she finally decided to fulfill her love for women, babies and birth. After Maria attended her first birth as a Doula, she knew that it was not only what she wanted to do but what she was supposed to do. She found her true calling. For her, witnessing the transformation that women go through, together with their partners is beautiful. Witnessing and being a part of the miracle of birth is a privilege. With ample professional training and gentle spirit Maria, guides and supports her clients through their pregnancy, birth and postpartum experience. Her intention as a doula is to create a calm, loving, compassionate, joyful and empowering space to make their experience the best that it can be. Every pregnant person, baby and birth are unique, and her work involves respecting and encouraging her client’s natural rhythms and needs. Credentials: DONA Certified Birth Doula CD(DONA) Postpartum Doula Certified Lamaze Childbirth Educator (LCCE) Spinning Babies® Certified Parent Educator (SpBCPE) Placenta Encapsulation Prenatal yoga Instructor. Certified Maternity and Child Sleep Consultant. Trained in Rebozo Techniques. Trained in Acupressure Techniques for Pregnancy, Birth and Postpartum Experience working with families with multiples. 
EMILY RICHARDSON Emily is a passionate birth and postpartum doula, and a proud mother of a wonderfully sweet little boy. She understands the importance of the birth and postpartum experience and how they can be nurtured with the right support. Her goal and passion is to help make the journey of childbirth the best it can be, by supporting Mom & partner in every way she is able. She believes women can and deserve to have an empowering and fulfilling birth experience. Being present during this time in people's lives is a gift and a privilege. By nature, Emily is caring, empathetic, nurturing and warm. Her personality harmonizes with the definition of a doula. She would be more than happy to support you and your growing family! · Trained by the most recognized doula organization- DONA International, in Birth & Postpartum · Trained in Rebozo comfort measures under Gena Kirby's workshop · Breastfeeding Essentials for birth workers workshop · Fetal Positioning workshop for birth workers · Infant CPR certificate-Canadian Red Cross December 2016 · Acupressure & Body Work workshop with Toronto AcuBirthing · Infant Sleep Educator trained with Bebo Mia 
DEANNA ALVES Deanna is a calm and compassionate postpartum doula. She has always felt a strong desire to nurture and help others. It came as no surprise that upon learning about doula work, she felt deeply inspired to take a DONA Birth Doula Training and pursue this calling. She has since completed an Ayurvedic Postpartum Doula training and has been passionately supporting families for the last three years. She offers heart-centered care to birthers and their families as well as; provides tools to help birthers empower themselves and heal during this sensitive time. She believes that the birth and postpartum period is one of the most important times in a person's life and everyone deserves access to support during this pivotal transition. She is especially passionate about cooking and loves to nourish families with healing meals and beverages during their postpartum. In her practice, she incorporates the variety of holistic modalities she has learned over the years including Ayurveda, Herbalism, meditation and Reiki.
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ADRIENNE WETHERELL CD(DONA) 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 honored 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. Training & Education: Birth & Postpartum doula training with DONA International Birth doula training with Heart of Birth Breastfeeding for birth professionals Acupressure for birth professionals Spinning Babies Workshop with Tammy Ryan First Aid/CPR Yoga for pregnancy & birth Postnatal yoga Mindful Motherhood facilitator training (Cassandra Vieten, PhD) Trauma Sensitive Yoga certificate program (The Trauma Center at JRI/Kripalu Center) 
CORINA TUDOR Corina is a certified DONA doula, yoga teacher, childbirth educator, and former archaeologist. Her diverse background, including sexual diversity studies and medical anthropology paved the path for her full spectrum doula work and childbirth education. Corina believes that there are as many ways to start a family and give birth as there are people. Her approach to doula care focuses on holistic, evidence based, and non-judgemental support - focusing on honouring people's journey. Her style is soft spoken, encouraging, and guiding. Corina is passionate about creating a safe, compassionate, personalized, and loving space for each client's birth and postpartum journey. She uses her training in yoga (including prenatal and trauma informed yoga), childbirth education, acupressure, and medical anthropology to gently guide people through their fertility, pregnancy, birth, and beyond. 
GIOVANNA AIELLO Giovanna has trained with Bebo Mia and is certified as a birth and postpartum doula. Her approach to doula care means being a non-judgemental listener. She wants to know how your feeling, what you are thinking and what you are going through. She wants you to think of her as your belly therapist, waiting and wanting to hear your fears and hopes. If you need to vent or you just want to share some exciting news, she is your doula. One thing Giovanna has learned with her years of meditation practice , it is that listening is the highest form of intimacy that can be created between you and another person. Doula Trainings:
VERA KEVIC 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. 
NIDHI SETH Certified Birth Doula CD(DONA) Nidhi is a compassionate Birth and Postpartum Doula who started her journey as a medical student in Europe for 8 years. After seeing how much emotional and mental awareness was lacking in patient recovery, she left medical school in search of a new purpose that was more spiritually aligned. Nidhi wants to help women make informed decisions without compromising their recovery. With the right knowledge and by nurturing, empowering & inspiring those to gain confidence during their pregnancy, labour & postpartum. She believes in combining modern day medicine with ancient philosophies to bring about the most balanced version of self. Nidhi is an empath who is here to love, care and support you free of judgement. "I am here to facilitate a positive birth experience, guide you to make well informed decisions, share resources and hold space for your journey to parenthood. I would be grateful to embark on such a magical journey of beauty and transformation with you. Training & experience include:
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KAIA SLOLEY Kaia was first introduced to doula care and its benefits while completing her undergraduate studies in maternal and reproductive health care at the University of Toronto. She has worked as a birth and postpartum doula and perinatal educator since 2016 and has loved every opportunity to support families throughout their journey. In her doula work, she draws on her nurturing and intuitive personality, as well as her academic and professional experiences in health care and support work. Her approach to doula care is grounded in evidence-based practices, individualized support, and unconditional support for all birthing preferences and choices to promote more positive experiences in pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and parenting. Kaia has additional training in breastfeeding support, childbirth education, and comfort techniques for labour, including acupressure, labour positions, and relaxation. Outside of her doula work, Kaia is a volunteer with the Women’s Program at the AIDS Committee of Toronto and childcare provider specializing in care for babies under one. She is currently in Midwifery Studies at Ryerson University and looks forward to integrating this education and experience into her work as a doula and childbirth educator. 
MARJ WONG After two incredible birth experiences, I became a DONA trained doula. I am a Blooma Prenatal Yoga Instructor and since 2008, I have been teaching Hot Yoga. During both of my pregnancies, I practiced Prenatal Yoga and attribute my remarkable birth experiences to this yoga and the use of Hypnobirthing. I knew I loved kids but ultimately what intrigues and fascinates me is the lead up to those bundles of joy: the preparation, the birth, the labour, the deepened care and connection to our bodies. From motherhood came a natural progression to being fully immersed in supporting women through this life changing experience. Between doula support and teaching yoga, I’m usually found munching or cooking up some good loving food, hoping my kids will eat it! It is a great joy to share my expertise and knowledge, assisting and supporting moms, partners and families through their journey. It is my wish to support you on your birth journey. Breathe it down, Mommas. 
RHONDDA SMILEY 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. 
DINA KHORASANEE Dina’s first pregnancy and birth are what inspired her to become a dedicated and warm hearted doula. When she was first pregnant she was surprised to hear and read all the information and stories that drew fear to the birthing experience. This too made her fearful. She searched for other ways of birthing. Looking for well trained, loving and dedicated support that she could draw on to help her and her partner feel calm and cared for while birthing their baby girl. It is here where she found the incredible benefit of doula support. For this reason, Dina brings particular attentiveness and grounding to all of her clients so that they too may feel cared for, confident and connected to each other during their own labour and birth. Her background in mentorship, crisis management and community development has taken her around the world, including Argentina and Paraguay, where she spent time as a doula supporting labouring mothers in local hospitals under particularly precarious circumstances. This has given Dina a particular appreciation for the variety of circumstances surrounding each family and the importance in listening to each of their needs. Dina brings all of these skills and experience together to offer parents a variety of tools to draw on while they’re birthing. In addition to her personal experiences, she is trained in the rebozo technique, massage and hypnobirthing, and has applied all these techniques in numerous births over the years that she has been working as a doula. Dina's calm personality, non judgemental approach, effective communication, and wealth of experience and skills, has allowed families to feel prepared, well supported and listened to during this important and vulnerable time in their lives. |
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
Amy was an amazing Doula. She was extremely supportive and calming presence to both my husband and I. We are not the type of people that would ask for help when dealing with stressful situation, however Amy knew exactly what we needed and was also one step ahead offering support. Amy was always available when we had any questions, and after we were discharged from the hospital and I was having issues latching, she came over instantaneously offering any help and support. And she makes one helluva cookie!!!~ Jessica
I have to admit that my husband Pascal was doubtful about having a Doula. But when we first met Megan, he completely changed his mind and agreed that we found the perfect person to help us through this adventure. It was important for me to have a natural delivery and without Megan I have to say that I would have not been able to do it. Not only did she help me cope with the pain but she also helped Pascal be a great support during those tough hours. She allowed us to have the delivery we wanted in communicating with the hospital staff. Megan is a dedicated person that we could trust from day one. She was available at any time, very competent and knowledgeable. She knows how to reassure and have an answer to each question we could have on pregnancy, labor and after delivery. There is no words to express how grateful we are to have her as our Doula. I would recommend her to anyone. ~ Anais
Words can’t describe just how grateful we are to have had Adrienne as our birth and post natal 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
It was truly amazing having Danielle's support and encouragement throughout my pregnancy and during birth. She is super knowledgeable and her calmness and confidence gave me the strength that I needed for my labour. Now I have a beautiful labour story to tell people- hopefully helping others see that it doesn't have to be a scary experience;) ~ Caitlin B.
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
