BIRTH DOULA

Our Birth Doulas accompany the birthing person in labour. They provide non-medical, emotional, physical and evidence-based information to the birthing person and their supports during the prenatal, labour and delivery period and immediate postpartum period.

READ MORE

Our Birth Doula support can include but is not limited to:

• Suggesting comfort measures such as: position changes, comforting touch, acupressure, movement, visualization, encouragement, relaxation and breathing techniques
• Offering assistance in obtaining up-to-date, client-centered information to encourage self advocacy and informed decision making
• Offering referrals when a situation arises that requires additional attention and support that falls outside the doula’s scope of practice
• Modelling and encouraging effective communication strategies for the client & partner within their birthing team
• Assistance in formulating realistic birth preferences that match the client’s values and needs and their chosen place of birth
• Initial body feeding support and encouragement of skin to skin in the immediate postpartum period
• Offering continuity of care. All Birth Mark doulas work in teams of 2 (birth doula & postpartum doula) and are supported by a team of back-up doulas who are on-call for emergency back-up support. This ensures that the labouring person and their family are set up for success and never left unsupported

Our Birth Doulas do not:

• Diagnose or perform any medical procedures or clinical tasks such as: assessing fetal heart tones, taking blood pressure, performing cervical exams, reading and interpreting medical tests and diagnoses, temperature taking or postnatal clinical care
• Attend births that are intentionally unassisted (births that do not have a trained or qualified medical professional in attendance)
• Make decisions and/or speak for the birthing person or their partner
• Use their own vehicle to transport clients

NOTE: Any and all the above is subject to change at any time at the discretion of Birth Mark Admin team

POSTPARTUM DOULA

Our Postpartum Doulas care for the birthing person and family in their home following the birth of their baby. They provide non-medical, emotional, physical and client-centered information and companionship for several weeks up to 6 weeks postpartum.

READ MORE

Our Postpartum Doula support can include but is not limited to:

• Non-directed emotional support, creating space to proccess feelings about labour and birth
• Assisting with all elements of newborn care and sibling adjustment (feeding, bathing, diapering, calming techniques)
• Creating a nurturing, restful atmosphere in which parents may eat, shower nap & take time for themselves as needed
• Demonstrating parenting and newborn care skills that will enable them to cope with their new responsibilities
• Meal preparation, shopping for groceries, light household cleaning (laundry, washing dishes, sweeping floor), bottle preparation and sterilization
• Offering client-centered information on newborn feeding, newborn sleep, newborn development and emotional & physical recovery from childbirth
• Offering referrals when a situation arises that requires additional attention and support that falls outside the doula’s scope of practice

Our Postpartum Doulas do not:

• Diagnose or perform any medical procedures or clinical tasks such as: examining the birthing parent or baby, taking temperatures, taking blood pressure, or any other type of diagnostic or postpartum clinical care
• Use their own vehicle to transport clients
• Perform any deep-cleaning (mopping floors, cleaning out fridges, scrubbing bathtubs/toilets) or assist with household tasks unrelated to infant care
• Give clients donations without Birth Mark Admin approval

NOTE: Any and all the above is subject to change at any time at the discretion of Birth Mark Admin team.

ABORTION DOULA

Our Abortion Doulas support and accompany people as they navigate and access abortion. They provide non-medical, emotional, physical, and infromational support to clients before, during, and after a medication or surgical abortion.

READ MORE

Our Abortion Doula support can include but is not limited to:

• Providing unbiased and non-directive emotional support;
• Having client-led discussions that are sensitive and relevant to the client’s lived experience and identities;
• Connecting the client to up-to-date evidence-based information and resources to encourage self-advocacy and informed decision making;
• Modelling and encouraging effective communication strategies with the client’s medical team;
• Helping the client create a realistic plan for their abortion in line with their values and needs.
• Suggesting comfort measures such as position changes, comforting touch, acupressure, movement, visualization, relaxation and breathing techniques;
• Helping to create a nurturing, restful environment during and/or after an abortion where the client may eat, rest, and take time for themselves;
• Offering evidence-based information and resources to support emotional well-being and resilience after an abortion;
• Offering referrals for support and services when a situation arises that is outside the doula’s scope of practice

A Birth Mark abortion doula does not:

• Give medical advice, information, or perform clinical and medical tasks of any kind.
• Attend abortions without a qualified medical professional in attendance, or involved in the case of medication abortion.
• Assess, diagnose or treat mental health conditions.
• Make decisions and/or speak on their client's behalf.
• Use a vehicle to transport clients or their support people.

NOTE: Any and all the above is subject to change at any time at the discretion of Birth Mark Admin team.

At Birth Mark, our focus is providing individuals and families with the support they need as they navigate any reproductive experience. We adhere to a set of core values to ensure fair and equitable treatment of all people we work with. Each core value aims to further our commitment to anti-racism and anti-oppression.

Birth Mark members must align with and commit to the following core values:

• Community Care
• Inclusivity
• Respect
• Relationship
• Integrity
• Social Justice
• Continuous Learning

READ MORE

Value: Community Care

Birth Mark team members draw on their knowledge, training, and experience to be of service to individuals from a client-centered, trauma-aware lens of care. Birth Mark fills significant gaps in reproductive health care by providing support and complimentary services to individuals and families that could otherwise not access them. We strive to build lasting community connections that resonate with our clients’ unique needs.

Value: Inclusivity

Birth Mark team members actively focus on inclusivity and are cognizant of the ways in which an individual's identities may impact access to appropriate and affirming health care. We recognize that reproductive health care is rooted in oppressive systems that exclude many people. Our goal is to create spaces and programming that disrupt these systems. Birth Mark team members seek opportunities to expand our definition of inclusivity and adapt accordingly.

Value: Respect

Birth Mark believes that all individuals deserve to be treated with dignity and respect and that their reproductive health care should reflect this. Birth Mark team members support their clients' right to autonomy and self-determination. We centre our clients in all interactions, remaining sensitive and responsive to their lived experiences and identities.

Value: Relationship

Birth Mark seeks to strengthen relationships among individuals, families, and care providers to foster the well-being of our clients, their families, and communities. Birth Mark team members engage clients and their families as partners and collaborators in their individualized care. We further acknowledge the importance of a reciprocal relationship with land, ecosystems, and ancestors as an integral part of well-being and strength within communities.

Value: Integrity

Birth Mark team members act honestly and responsibly, keeping informed consent and confidentiality at the forefront of all interactions. We maintain transparency with clients, other team members, and community. Team members work to address clients’ integral needs while adhering to Birth Mark’s scope of care.

Value: Social Justice

Birth Mark team members pursue social justice by assisting individuals and families who are facing complex barriers as they navigate reproductive health care systems. We operate from a reproductive justice lens taking into account the ways in which unique identities may intersect. Birth Mark promotes equitable access to individualized services with a focus on client self-advocacy and meaningful participation.

Value: Continuous Learning

Birth Mark encourages continuous skill development by providing team members with ongoing educational opportuni