I've lived on beautiful Vancouver Island for about five years, and when I'm not supporting families, I enjoy everything the Island has to offer. I love trying new local places to eat and getting to the ocean whenever I can, whether that’s reading by the water or jumping in for a cold dip. Being grounded in this community and surrounded by nature has shaped the way I approach caregiving, with presence and a deep appreciation for connection.
Before pursuing birth work, I spent over 10 years working as a nanny, supporting families with children of all ages. Over those years, my passion for infant care and child development naturally grew into a deeper interest in the experiences that shape early parenthood. I often found myself becoming a support person for the families I worked with, sometimes listening to their birth stories and helping them process their experiences. Through those conversations, I became aware of the gaps in care and support many people feel during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
That awareness, and the trust families placed in me, helped me realize that birth work was what I wanted to do.
Hey, I’m Vanessa
I want to be the person who empowers you to take charge of your own birth and postpartum experience. I’m here to ensure your voice is heard and step in if your choices are overlooked. Whatever your birth looks like, my goal is to show up for you and help educate, guide, and translate if things become overwhelming. Whether you need support or your partner does, I’m here to show up in whatever capacity your family needs.
The heart of my support lies in active, non-judgmental listening. I believe shame is one of the biggest barriers in birth, and I want you to feel confident and empowered in one of the most transformative experiences of your life. I work to create open communication between everyone involved in your care, and I will always respect your decisions. My role is to help you trust your instincts and bring in the right resources whenever something falls outside my scope. I believe knowledge is power and that you know your body best.
As your Doula
Education & Experience
I have completed my BA in Humanities at the University of Victoria and, more recently, completed the Holistic Doula Certificate program at Pacific Rim College. Through this training, I gained an in-depth understanding of anatomy and physiology, as well as hands-on experience supporting diverse families. I studied complementary therapies to enhance safe and holistic care and learned the ethics and responsibilities of practicing as a doula, including how to collaborate respectfully with midwives and other medical practitioners.
Continuing education shapes the way I support people, and I feel confident in both the skills I’ve learned and how to apply them in practice. I believe every experience teaches me something new and enables me to offer better support to the families I work with.
