Please note: During this time of COVID-19, I continue to offer my services. For the duration, breastfeeding support will be done virtually, as well as my classes and private sessions. Birth and postpartum doula support continues to be in person, although if needed/desired, virtual support can be given.  Now more than ever, doula support is needed! Please consider it. 
​Stay home, stay safe, stay healthy! 

Vancouver B.C. Canada

When your heart’s desire is to birth normally, as you are designed for–trusting in your baby and body, attuned to ancient wisdom…

When that desire is to follow your body’s birth rhythms, participating actively during birth, to welcome your child gently into the world…..
​
​there’s no place quite like home.

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“Debra was absolutely indispensable. Not only did she keep us sane, calm, and well rested, but she made our experience more intimate and romantic. For me, natural birth turned out to be an empowering and PLEASURABLE experience.”   Christine ​

Research shows that low risk pregnant women who plan home births have fewer interventions without any increased risk to mothers or babies.

Benefits and harms of planned hospital birth compared with planned home birth for low-risk pregnant women

'It seems increasingly clear that impatience and easy access to many medical procedures at hospital may lead to increased levels of intervention which in turn may lead to new interventions and finally to unnecessary complications. In a planned home birth assisted by an experienced midwife with collaborative medical back up in case transfer should be necessary these drawbacks are avoided while the benefit of access to medical intervention when needed is maintained.
​Increasingly better observational studies suggest that planned hospital birth is not any safer than planned home birth assisted by an experienced midwife with collaborative medical back up, but may lead to more interventions and more complications​.'
​From the 2012 Cochrane Collaboration review, the most authoritative source for a summary of medical studies. 

Imagine birthing in the comfort & privacy of your own home surrounded by loved ones, trusted midwife and doula.

Imagine the freedom to move throughout your space and rest in bed with your partner...
...take a walk outside, in the back yard or nearby park
...share in a home cooked meal
...ease the birthing surges in the pool, float buoyantly & relax
...letting the process unfold without unnecessary interventions or time constraints

FREE TO BE
...roar like a lioness or be still and focused
...birth your child into your hands
This is what home birth can look like.
This can be your birth experience. 
Imagine.

“Birth was and will always be the most commonplace of miracles, an event at once familiar and phenomenal, timeless and immediate, briefly making angels of us all.”

Why Birth at Home?

Three key elements that optimize normal physiologic birth are being where you are undisturbed, feel safe and have personal privacy. Your home provides this birth ambiance.

"Giving birth at home meant giving birth on my terms, being able to naturally, calmly go through my birthing waves the way I planned. Getting to try different ways to move my baby down and have no restrictions on where I went. Being able to hold my baby and not rush the process."  Carly

For more quotes on Why Birth at Home? read here....

"Peace on Earth begins with birth." Jeanine Parvati Baker

Bring Birth Home!

Vancouver Home Birth Doula
Debra Woods

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I would be happy to discuss my specialized home birth doula care whether you have planned for a home birth or are considering it. 

​If you are beginning to feel that home is the place for you, I'm available to answer your questions.   Phone: 778-997-0753 

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Book a Free Consultation

About Debra

For 31 years I have been providing doula care and birth education to childbearing families. I advocate for midwifery care & home birth as options for choice in care provider & place of birth for healthy pregnant women.    

​My home birth doula service fully prepares couples. They’re totally cared for while birthing at home and for some hours after, until they’re ready for quiet family time. I ensure families receive comprehensive instructions/setup for being at home.  

For those planning a water birth, I have birth pools and accessories available. For full details about Debra's care read more...

Birth Doula Fee: $1500. ​​Fee includes support during pregnancy, birth doula care, immediate postpartum care, breastfeeding support and infant care education.

For information about other services and classes, please go to www.dakinidoula.com

Ecstatic Birth Class! Please join me for this innovative class exploring how to shift from avoiding pain to experiencing pleasure.
 http://www.childbearing.org/ecstatic-birth-class/

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“A doula is like a trail guide. Familiar with the path, she keeps you hiking through the hard parts, knowing the view at the end is incredible.” 
​Mother Strong Doula 

Aside from birth and babies, other passions include my spiritual practice, spending time with my family, including my new grandson, enjoying games night with friends, gardening and adventures in exotic destinations (temporarily on hold!).

Doula and Midwifery Care

Couples wonder why would they hire a doula when they have a midwife. Our roles are distinctly different. 

For more details read more.... 

“Birth is not something we suffer, but something we actively do and exalt in.”  Sheila Kitzinger