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Kari Hollingsworth C.D., C.B.E. |
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“When we support women in birth, we bring life and love into sharp view. When we love women in birth, they harness their own strength, not ours and they own the experience. We offer our best support when we trust in her exquisite ability to bring forth the life within her.” Lisa Wass |
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Lisa Wass B.Ed., C.D., C.B.E. |
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Mother of Two |
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Mother of Four |
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“Blessed to be a witness”
-Ben Harper |
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Certified Birth Doula, Pre-natal Dance Instructor, Educator & Counselor
Phone: 242-5029 Cell: 612-3777
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How Our Clients feel about our Services: |
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Professional Birth Support |
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Just as a woman's heart knows how and when to pump, her lungs to inhale, and her hand to pull back from fire, so she knows when and how to give birth. Virginia Di Orio |
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Lisa, With your guidance , we were able to plan and prepare for the birth of our daughter, both emotionally and physically...With your help, we were able to maintain a calm, safe, and intimate environment throughout my labour and delivery... You played a huge role in creating the experience we wanted and , and words cannot express the gratitude I feel.
I am fortunate to be able to count myself among those women who treasure the experience of childbirth, and I have you to thank for helping me get there. It is an empowering experience and I am proud that I was able to accomplish my goals with your help…
We are both firm believers in the benefits of having the support of a Doula during labour and delivery, as well as in the months leading up to the big day. We will definitely be looking you up for our next child!
Thank you again for everything. Your visits after (our child’s) birth were so helpful in reassuring me and I was better able to process both the first few days of motherhood and my birthing experience. Your support and guidance has been great for me all the way from the pregnancy stage, right through to my first days as a new mother. Thank you for being there.
With Gratitude,
Renata |
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To whom it may concern, I researched doulas extensively and talked to several friends who had used a doula’s services in the past, before I decided to go ahead with interviews. I then interviewed several doulas before deciding to engage Kari’s services.
I should first state that I would HIGHLY recommend engaging the services of a Doula. If you have any concerns, please read the appropriate research to address to your concerns. My biggest concern ( a common one) was that having a Doula present would somehow diminish my husband’s role in the birth. This was not the case at all; my husband and I both felt having a doula present, as compared to my first child’s birth, where we did not have a doula, enhanced the birth experience.
I chose Kari as my Doula because she truly “adopted” my birth philosophy and birth plan; she did not try to impose her own views (if different) on me. She was very supportive and willing to do whatever was necessary to help us with the birth. Her flexibility was also important to me since, of course, all the details of a birth and post-partum situation cannot be predicted. She is a warm, enthusiastic, ‘bubbly’, person who loves what she does. I felt very comfortable and relaxed having her with me during labour and in the delivery room.
I would highly recommend engaging a doula, and I would highly recommend Kari as a doula. Kari’s attributes are just as the books describe; she is excellent at “mothering the mother”!
Yours sincerely, Keitha New mom of child #2
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Our Experience with a Doula - Anne, Darcy & Piper
One of the smartest things I’ve ever done in my life is hire a doula for support during the pregnancy, labour and delivery of our daughter.
We wanted to hire a doula for a number of reasons: neither of us had gone through delivery before, and having the knowledge and support of someone who had gone through it (herself, as well as with other couples) would be very valuable to us; our support networks of family and friends are in other provinces; I wanted the psychological boost of knowing someone would have other ideas for pain management and information; and I wanted my husband to have someone to support him through the process as well.
Our experience with our doula, Lisa Wass, was great from the outset. Our initial phone conversations and meetings were positive and warm. It was initially strange, perhaps, to think that we would actually seek out a stranger to help us through one of the most intimate and challenging experiences that a couple will go through. However, the mental and emotional benefit of the support and knowledge that she would bring to the process overrode any qualms we may have had. Any questions we had were answered; or were answered with the next phone call. Additional information was offered to us to increase our knowledge and awareness of issues that may arise.
Initial labour at home was much better spent in familiar surroundings with the support of my husband and Lisa. I can honestly say that I would have gone to the hospital earlier than necessary if I had not had our Doula’s experience on which to rely. Lisa’s knowledge of what to expect next during labour was helpful to me, as was her honesty and directness. Throughout the long non-progressing labour , Lisa was very helpful and supportive to both of us, using various methods of pain management as well as being there to assist my husband. My husband is very good at encouraging me and instilling in me the confidence that, “You can do this”, and he was wonderful through the whole labour and delivery experience. I do think that he found Lisa’s knowledge and support helpful to him as well.
We had developed a birth plan outlining our preferences, and attempted to follow it through. However, the plan turned out to be merely a starting point and through the course of our labour we made decisions based on the situation and information at the time. I believe that we did make the best decisions at the time in each instance, and Lisa was a valuable resource to us when we were making these decisions.
I would DEFINITEY hire a Doula if I am ever pregnant again, (I’d actually try to hire Lisa if she is available), and would not hesitate to recommend hiring a doula to anyone who seeks my advice. –Anne |
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...Up until the time of my pregnancy, my husband and I knew very little about the role of a Doula in childbirth. Our friends recommended meeting with Kari and we are certainly thankful we did.
It became evident at out initial meeting that Kari is very passionate about her job. She was able to successfully educate us about her role in labour and delivery. Any worries that we may have had about her “replacing” my husband in the delivery room were quickly dispelled.
Because Kari took the time to know us during my pregnancy, we felt comfortable with her by the time the due date arrived. Although Kari is naturally a bubbly, energetic person, she became a very calming influence during labour. She was by my side through each and every contraction, helping me relax fully between contractions. Her confidence that everything was progressing as it should be put my mind at ease. From my husband’s perspective , Kari made his job easier by giving him guidance on how he could best help me. He felt better knowing that Kari could tell us what was normal and what was not, and suggest when it was time to head to the hospital. Because I was coping so well at home, I didn’t end up going to the hospital until I was 8cm dilated. I never would have been able to stay at home for so long if I hadn’t had Kari’s support.
Upon arrival at the hospital, the nurses stepped aside to allow Kari to continue coaching me. They realized that they could offer no more help than I was already receiving. Kari’s support never wavered until our son was born. Because of this, I needed very little medical intervention and therefore was feeling great within a few hours of giving birth. Other than my husband, she was the only constant through my whole pregnancy, labour, and delivery.
We would not hesitate to recommend Kari as a doula. She is a kind soul who has a passion for her work. Our birth experience was a very positive one and we hope Kari will be present at the birth of our next child.
Sincerely, Nadia
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...In my situation, I had a very long and tiring labour. She was a strong source of support the whole time. She encouraged me when I felt like giving up and that I couldn’t go on. She gave suggestions for ways to cope with the pain, while always being sensitive to my needs and desires. Kari also helped my husband with his support. She gave him suggestions on how to help me through labour and she was also able to give him much needed breaks. He said that he would have been lost without her help… Sincerely, Nicole
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As a first time mother, I can truly and honestly say that the birth of my son was one of the most incredible moments in my life. The support that Lisa provided resulted in a labour and delivery that I think of very fondly— If you can imagine that! I felt confident and in control. - Derek & Kristine |
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All in all, our experience with Kari was fantastic. She is a caring, knowledgeable and spirited person who is the perfect doula. -Aaron, & Amanda |
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“Birth is a highly personal and powerful event. Birthing women should feel understood, safe and empowered to birth the way that feels right to them. In assisting women and their partners in this process I am honored to “mother the mother.” My first experience with birth was in 1992. This first experience led me to assist in another birth in 1998. I understand birth as a sacred and unique event. Through the birth of my own daughters (1994 & 1996) and assisting others in their experiences I realize how very important knowledge, unconditional support and personal empowerment is to achieve a rewarding, positive birth experience, for both a birthing woman and her partner. my doula training began through Mother Wellness in December, 2003. I also have Reiki training Level 1. My passion for birth, and past experience, serves me well as a professional birth assistant or "doula". Please feel free to call if you have any questions or if you would like to schedule a free consultation.
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As a doula, I see my role as primarily providing important emotional, physical and spiritual preparation for birth. I am also a resource to the women and families I work with by helping navigate medical terminology, protocols and systems, while inspiring trust in a woman’s ability to Birth. I provide diplomatic communication skills with hospital staff and nurturing hands to mothers. My path as a support provider in birth began in 1998, before I even knew what the word Doula meant. After attending several births I was eager to share about my experiences helping women. Chatting with another mom in the library one day, the conversation shifted from our children -I have four boys- to birth experiences, so I gleefully told my stories. She said to me, “Oh, you are a Doula!” My response was, “A do-what?” And my life changed... I completed the certification program offered by Mother Wellness in 2003. My further education includes Natural family planning, Herbs for Mothers and Babies and various workshops to keep my skills fresh. I am now certified as a doula trainer through CAPPA and look forward to providing training series for both Birth Rhythm and Mother Wellness. My dream is to eventually serve Saskatchewan women as a midwife. Previously, I completed my Bachelor of Education and taught in the public education system. Now, I am a counselor for women, specializing in mental health, prenatal and birth support. My experience also includes teaching dance, which I eagerly incorporate into our prenatal movement classes. I believe that birth is a sacred time to be cherished and protected. It would be a privilege to serve you as you become a new family.
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