My introduction to the birth world occurred when my mother, pregnant with my little sister, chose to stay home to give birth unassisted. Having had a traumatic birth at the hospital just fifteen months earlier, she was convinced that following her instincts and birthing at home, surrounded by her family, would be the safest option. I cannot remember this, of course, but my dad claims that I - 15 months old and way past my bedtime! - stayed by my mother's side wiping her forehead and bringing clean towels as my baby sister was being born. Hearing our birth stories growing up, I always thought about how incredible and empowering (scandalous even) her decision must have been in 1990s in post-Soviet Ukraine. Despite having no recollection of my sister's birth, I know for a fact that my mother's stories and strength have impacted my journey as a doula in ways beyond imaginable.

Ironically, I learned about doulas only after the birth of my daughter. Having had a cesarean and struggled with postpartum anxiety, I stumbled across a group of amazing doulas in my community, and was momentarily intrigued. Initially, I chose to become a postpartum doula to assist families with the transition into parenthood and by providing the support so desperately needed in the first few weeks after birth. It made perfect sense to me. Until one day, a friend hired me to be her birth doula. I was up for the challenge and, without hesitation, quickly enrolled myself into the DONA birth doula course.

A few months later I attended the most amazing and empowering homebirth. What struck me the most is the ease and peacefulness of the undisturbed birth and how different this experience was from my hospital birth. I was so excited I couldn't really sleep for a couple days that followed. Witnessing a new life come into the world is definitely something that I can never really explain, and always tear up thinking about. It's exhilarating! And I knew that I wanted to be a birth doula ever since.

The pivotal moment in my doula career was discovering Ina May Gaskin's "Spiritual Midwifery": a series of birth stories of women who gave birth on the Farm told by the America's leading midwife. The Farm's Midwifery Center has been operating for over thirty years, and is known for its low rate for interventions, cesareans and great outcomes for maternal and newborn health, bonding, and breastfeeding. Every single story of women giving birth on the Farm made so much sense. I found it healing to read these stories of women so in tune with their bodies, confident in their abilities, and free! I was mind-blown. In the culture where birth is often seen as a medical procedure - a minor inconvenience - this holistic woman-centered approach made so much sense and felt like a breath of fresh air.

Not too long after I began my Wise Woman Way of Birth training with Jessica Austin. I felt empowered to learn about a wide array of possibilities and choices women (should) have in childbirth! I have realized that being a doula is so much more than merely providing physical support during birth, it's about being a passionate birth advocate and helping families to set up their best chance of having their ideal birth.

My diverse background has had a large impact on how I work. As an immigrant in Canada, I come from Eastern Europe by way of Africa. Along my journey I have picked up 4 languages: I am fluent in Russian, Ukrainian, English, and Italian. My ties to Africa remain strong. Currently I am serving on the Board of Directors for Maama Onwana, a non-profit in Uganda that serves maternal wellness and prenatal education to local women.

Having been through the experience of childbirth without much support, I recognize the importance of having a birth team who is compassionate, respectful, and knowledgeable. I am honoured to be working with families throughout this exciting time. Getting to share the miracle of birth is a blessing. I look forward to meeting you!

• Education: Undergraduate degree
Skills
• Swimming
• Cooking
• Housekeeping
Specific Skills
• Infants/Babies (0-18 months)
• Toddlers (18-36 months)
• Preschool/School (3+ years)
• Twins and multiples