Your birth.
Your way.
Within you is innate wisdom of your body and an inner knowing of what you want for your pregnancy and birth experience. Be supported in hearing your voice, in being heard and in making choices that feel right for you. The childbearing year is transformative and will lay the foundation for your parenting journey. Create a birth team and environment that supports your vision for your birth and who believes fully in your capability to birth, your way. I am here for you.
Book me early. We will have more time to connect, to feel informed and build your confidence as you navigate your pregnancy. I will be there with you throughout your journey, keeping you nourished, heard and supported.
Why Nook?
Like all mammals, we desire a birthing space that is comfortable, familiar, warm, dark and most importantly SAFE. Our biology is perfectly designed to start cultivating this space throughout pregnancy, so that we feel prepared to bring our new baby into a world that is going to be optimal for them to thrive (ie: no tigers lurking).
What does this space look like for you? Let’s work together to unpack what really makes you feel safe, supported and able to fully relax. What really matters to you? What might be holding you back from achieving what you want? Let’s create your NOOK, your ideal environment to experience the birth of your dreams!
HOLISTIC DOULA CARE
$1,695 + GST
flexible payment plans
3 Prenatal Visits (2-3 hrs each)
Breastfeeding Education session
Prenatal belly massage (optional)
Unlimited phone/text/email support
24/7 on-call support for your birthing time
Birth pool rental and supplies
Tens machine available
1 Postpartum visit
Placenta Print (optional)
Yoni Steaming (optional)
Here are just a few of the support pieces that are included in this package. For more info, please contact me here!
Continuous support.
I am here for you, anytime. We will connect monthly throughout your pregnancy, I will be at your side as you journey through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. You’ll have unlimited phone and email support throughout your pregnancy to 6 weeks postpartum. Book me early in your pregnancy so we have lots of time to connect deeply!
One-on-one care.
I want to get to know you, what it is you want for your birth, your fears, your dreams, your questions. We will delve into it all. You will learn about birth, and connect to your own innate birthing wisdom. I will be there with you for each step, from birth to early postpartum.
Resources galore.
You’ll have access to a lending library of books (pregnancy, birth, postpartum, parenting), tens machine rental, as well as a birth pool and supplies with pool set-up and take down support (all included in your doula package fees)
YONI / VAGINAL STEAM
WHAT IS YONI STEAMING?
Yoni Steaming (also known as vaginal or sacral steaming) is an ancient healing practice, used by cultures all over the world to care for pelvic health. This practice involves boiling water in a pot, steeping herbs, allowing to cool, then sitting or squatting over the pot so the steam and plant medicine can reach the vulva, vaginal canal, and perineum. Though this sacred practice has been lost through decades of the removal of traditional wisdom passed down by wise women, midwives and healers (patriarchy and colonialism) there has been a resurgence in yoni steaming, as more people are remembering and reclaiming their autonomy and innate wisdom to care for their own bodies. This reclaimation is powerful!
Steaming is a universal practice, and our ancestors steamed! Find out about your own ancestral ties to steaming, by visiting Keli Garza’s VAGINAL STEAMING WORLD MAP
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Yoni steaming is an effective, gentle, pleasurable and inexpensive way to support our reproductive system. The steam helps to promote circulation, decrease stagnation and return blood flow to all areas of the womb. Through gentle heat and moisture, the steam permeates the cells and aids in cleansing the vaginal canal and uterus of old residue - stagnant blood remaining from previous bleed cycles. Menstrual cramping is your uterus contracting to remove this old residue. When a full uterine cleanse is achieved with the support of steaming, there is no longer a need for cramping. Steaming has helped so many folks find relief from painful periods and pelvic pain.
The herbs used in yoni steaming are selected for each individual based on their specific needs. Herbs have unique healing properties and actions in the body. Through the steam, the plant medicine can perminate the tissues and enter the bloodstream to support healing and circulation. It is important to consult with a steaming practitioner to ensure you find the best herbs for your optimal function and health.
BENEFITS AND USES
Postpartum (after birth) for supporting uterine cleanse (see below for more details)
Regulation of menstrual cycle (duration, flow, restoring absent cycle)
Supports body in achieving a full monthly uterine cleanse (removes stagnant blood and tissue)
Reduces symptoms of menstrual cycle such as cramping, bloating and pain
Heals scar tissue
Aids in fertility
Irregular or missing menstrual cycles
UTI/Yeast Infections
Heals pelvic prolapse, Increases tonicity of vaginal canal
Aids in the reduction or removal of fibroids, cysts, and endometriosis
Decreases pelvic pain, pain during intercourse, vaginal dryness
Trauma and emotional healing and reconnection to womb
Supports healing following pregnancy loss or abortion
Reduces or heals hemorrhoids
Increases circulation to pelvis to support symptoms during perimenopause and menopause
*Part of a regular self-care practice for maintaining optimal health and function of our womb and a connection to this sacred space that many people hold disconnection, distrust, shame and trauma. It is a practice to heal, to give reverence to, and reignite the creative power of our womb.
POSTPARTUM STEAMING
Steaming after birth is one of the most common and effective times to steam. This traditional healing practice for postpartum care can be traced back through time by many cultures all over the world. Steaming provides new mothers and birthing people with nurturing care for their physical body and also supporting their emotional and spiritual transition to motherhood.
Steaming after birth is particularly effective as the cervix remains open for up to 6 weeks and the steam is able to reach the uterus directly. During the first few weeks postpartum, the uterus works hard to remove the lochia (tissue and blood), and reduce back down to original size. Steaming supports this natural process, aiding in the removal of lochia, clots, and increasing tonicity to the vaginal canal (which helps to prevent prolapse). Yoni steaming reduces inflammation to the pelvic organs and tissues, and prevents infection. It can also help to heal tearing, scar tissue, reduce or clear hemorrhoids, cysts and fibroids. In addition to the physical benefits, steaming in postpartum is a sacred time for mothers and birthing people to be cared for, to heal and connect to their womb and to relax and enjoy this pleasurable practice!
For more information and evidence on the benefits of steaming postpartum, visit the FOURTH TRIMESTER VAGINAL STEAM STUDY
CONTRAINDICATIONS
Do NOT steam if you are experiencing:
Pregnancy
Bleeding fresh red blood/spotting
After ovulation when trying to conceive
Spontaneous interm bleeding (2 periods in a month)
OFFERINGS
POSTPARTUM STEAMING - 30 days
$295 ($200 for birth clients)
Intake to gain knowledge of your unique body and cycle, as well as your needs and wishes for healing or support
Steaming support in-person for first steam (60min)
Steaming stool and supplies (burner/pot) rental for 30 days (option to steam for longer)
Steaming herbs - unique blend of herbs made just for you!
Phone/text/email support throughout your steaming journey
PREGNANCY LOSS & ABORTION - POSTPARTUM STEAMING
By donation or sliding scale
*Pregnancy loss and abortion are births. Following these births, we need the same care, support and healing that all postpartum bodies need.
At home support with initial steam set-up
Steaming herbs - unique blend made just for you
Optional Steaming box and supplies rental
Support via phone/text/email
WOMB SUPPORT
Support for your menstrual cycle (short or long cycles)
Pelvic pain, painful periods
Supporting you in achieving a complete uterine cleanse
*Steam support for 1-6 months, including stool rental, supplies and herbs
Initial consult/intake
Steaming support in person for first steam (60min)
Phone/text/email support throughout your steaming journey
Continued support including steam protocol and herb modifications as needed
1 month $295
3months $325
6months $450
Meet me!
My name is Ariel, and I provide doula support for folks in Vancouver, B.C and surrounding areas. I am a mother to 3 incredible children, and the ever-evolving path of motherhood has provided me with understanding and respect for the challenges and joys of what it means to be a parent. I began my journey in birth work after my first birth experience - I knew there was something missing, and that I wanted something different for any future births. I began reading and watching everything I could, eager to learn more. I hired a doula for my second birth, who gave me invaluable love and support, and made me feel so strong and capable. This second birth was so transformational for me as a woman and a mother, that I felt compelled to support others in their journey towards powerful, intuitive and autonomous birth experience. My third birth was a free birth, at home unassisted with just myself and my partner. This was the most powerful, ecstatic moment of my life, and after this completely autonomous experience, I am an yet again reborn - as a doula, mother and woman. I feel renewed and filled with passion to work with my dream clients - birthing people who are wanting to experience the complexities, the joys, the challenges, the depths, the transformations and the coming undone of them selves that is BIRTH.
If this is you, please connect with me! I would love to walk beside you along your pregnancy and birth journey.
xo