OUR SERVICES DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

 

Birth: At this time due to the rise in Covid-19 cases some Ottawa area hospitals are only allowing one birth partner/support person. Birthing centres and home births are still currently allowing 2 support people!  It is a very fluid situation and can change at any time. We are also able to offer virtual birth doula services, please contact us to learn more. 

Postpartum and newborn care: We are able to provide support to families in-person with COVID safety measures or virtually. Contact us to learn more!

All of our doulas are vaccinated!

 

About MotherWit Doula Care

At MotherWit, we know that birth and the early weeks of parenting deeply matter to the healthy, happy development of a family.  

Our vision at MotherWit is for every parent-to-be, birth giver, birth partner and new parent to feel amazing about themselves.  No matter what.  You’ve got this…and we’ve got you.

With over two decades of experience, our MotherWit Ottawa doula team understands how varied the support needs of every pregnant and new family are.  Our mission is to offer nuanced, personalized services to meet your unique needs, providing you with insightful support for extraordinary transformation.

Birth Doula Care

If you want a personal birth coach who will guide, respect, and support you throughout one of the most powerful experiences known to humankind (however it goes and however long it takes), Birth Doula Care is for you.

Postpartum Care

A family is born (or expanded)! For optimal adjustment and enjoyment of  life with Baby for all family members, MotherWit offers Postpartum Doula Care, Sibling Doula Care, and Overnight Doula Care.

Prenatal Classes

More than just learning what to REALLY expect when you’re expecting, you’ll learn what to DO!  Birth Essentials Prenatal Classes prepare the birthing parent and partner for all aspects of pregnancy, labour and delivery, and life with a new baby!

Overnight Care

Night time is hard with a new baby.  An Overnight Doula supports you in mastering night-time parenting on your terms, providing reassuring company if you’re awake in the wee hours, as well as tending to your baby while you sleep.

 

 

MotherWit

 

There is so much conflicting information and philosophies about birth and parenting out there.  We know you want to ensure the choices you make are the best choices for you and your family. We understand how easy it is to feel overwhelmed.

Many parents-to-be and new parents find that time with their primary care provider is limited, and don’t feel that their personal questions and concerns are addressed fully.  Our prenatal visits, postpartum follow ups, and email/phone support give you TIME to use us as sounding boards, informational resources, and sources of calming reassurance.  We do not charge extra if your birth happens to be longer than average.

MotherWit Ottawa Doula Care has borne witness to and loved all types of birth/parenting experiences and expressions of family.  

We know that the best choices are the ones that make you and your family feel secure and happy.  There is no one ideal way to do this.  You’ve got this.  And we’ve got you.

 

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Why MotherWit?

 

Outstanding Experience

Empowering Education

Empathic Listening

Insightful Guidance

Continuity of Care

Unconditional Support

Nurturing Community

 

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Our MotherWit Ottawa Doula  Care Team

Erin Kasungu MotherWit Ottawa Doula

Alison Hardacre

 Postpartum Doula

 

 

I believe there is a special magic in postpartum spaces.  I remember telling my friends after my daughter was born that postpartum was truly magical and truly exhausting.  In equal measure!

As a Postpartum Doula,  I aim to protect that magic by helping to create time and space for you to care for yourself as you move into your new life with your baby and your growing family. I encourage you to slow down and to lean into rest so you can bond with your baby and allow yourself time to heal and to adjust to your new role.
You are the expert of your baby, yourself and your family and you will find your own path in parenting. I am here to nurture you, to see you, to celebrate you, to hold space for you and to help you rest so you can bond with your baby and family.  I encourage you to listen for your own inner wisdom when finding your path in parenting.

I have great respect for life stories and I hold space as you work through yours.
When not working with clients, I love to have adventures with my two children. I love any time with friends and family. I am always interested in taking courses to expand my knowledge of holding space, the changing brain as we move into parenting, the effects of trauma on our bodies and how to improve postpartum spaces. I also love reflexology and reiki.

 
 
 
Erin Kasungu MotherWit Ottawa Doula

Josmi Bansal

 Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula

 

 

When I was expecting my first child years ago, I had no idea what a doula was! I was curious to learn more about what they can offer, and hiring one was one of the best decisions I made for myself and my family. I knew in my heart that one day I would love to nurture, validate, advocate and hold space for future expectant parents, and give them the compassion that I was shown during such a transformative time in life. I am pleased to have achieved my dream!

With my social work background, coupled with my experience in a variety of births, I have a trauma-informed, anti-oppressive approach to childbirth, so that I may offer non-judgemental and compassionate support to my clients. I like to share my East Indian culture through massage, breathing techniques and Ayurvedic postpartum healing methods for the birth giver. 

I am constantly filled with wonder and excitement about the birth giving process, and when I am not wearing my doula hat, you can usually find me cooking some delicious Indian food for my family, gardening, or playing with my two wonderful kids. Their births are a constant reminder to me of the value of compassionate care in birth, and I hope to offer that love to as many people as I can! 

Erin Kasungu MotherWit Ottawa Doula

Melanie Brunet

 Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula

 

 

Becoming a doula is not only a calling, it is a privilege. Coming from a long line of  Indigenous Matriarchal medicine women and midwives, I have embodied the facts that Birth is a Ceremony and Parenthood is a rite of passage.

Being a Mother myself of 11 children, I have a unique and profound understanding of the care, compassion and strength that is required, based on the needs of every individual mother/baby dyad. It is always different! To bear witness during your moments of vulnerability and to hold space while you dig for strength that you could never have imagined as you love your new little being more than your own self, is the most beautiful journey for me to be a part of.

Prior to becoming a birth and postpartum doula I obtained two other diplomas and worked in several other sectors. I was a psw in mental health for 16 years and a community service worker. Working for the community, advocating and finding proper resources were some of the many services that I provided. Working to serve others has always been a part of who I am.

Perhaps you have heard the phrase “ it takes a village to care for parents and child”. I would love to be a part of your village.

Meet the MotherWit Doulas Night!

Meet the MotherWit Ottawa Doula Care team on the 1st Wednesday of each month at 7pm. Learn more about how a  MotherWit Ottawa Doula can help during pregnancy, labour, delivery and after. Discover why Birth Essentials Prenatal Classes, in group or private sessions, are the most informative and interactive child birth preparation classes in Ottawa.  

You've got this... and we've got you!

 

No Need to RSVP

If you can't make it please contact us and we can arrange a free private meeting!

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89487723648?pwd=SkI5T3orVUEvSmhKQ3Yrc1BjQWIwdz09

Meeting ID: 894 8772 3648
Passcode: 543093

3
April
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Meet the Doulas Night

ONLINE event Hello, New Parents and Parents-To-Be! You are invited to an online gathering hosted by the Ottawa MotherWit Doulas. Whether you are trying to figure out if ...

1
May
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Meet the Doulas Night

ONLINE event Hello, New Parents and Parents-To-Be! You are invited to an online gathering hosted by the Ottawa MotherWit Doulas. Whether you are trying to figure out if ...

5
June
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Meet the Doulas Night

ONLINE event Hello, New Parents and Parents-To-Be! You are invited to an online gathering hosted by the Ottawa MotherWit Doulas. Whether you are trying to figure out if ...

No event found!

Our Experience

All of our MotherWit Ottawa Doula Care team are not only MotherWit trained and certified doulas, but have relevant educational and professional backgrounds to inform and nurture your journey into parenthood. We have experience with:

  • Normal, physiologic birth
  • Hospital, Birthing Centre, and Home Birth
  • Birth with pain medication
  • Induction
  • Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)…even after two Cesareans
  • Vaginal Breech Birth
  • Vaginal Birth of Twins
  • Cesarean (planned AND unplanned)
  • Perinatal Loss
  • Assisted Reproductive Technology
  • Survivors of Trauma
  • Families with Histories of Anxiety and Depression
  • Families with Health Challenges
  • LGBTQ Families
  • Polyamorous Families
  • Single-Parent Families
  • Teen Parents
  • Families of Diverse Ethnic and Religious Backgrounds
  • Surrogacy
  • Adoption
  • and much more

Upcoming Events

Christine was simply amazing. She stayed with us through 48 hours of labor (including an emergency caesarean section) and was an incredible source of information, support and strength. Through our experience with her, she has become a part of our family and will no doubt be invited to attend the births of our future children. I recommend Christine completely and whole heartedly.

We love you Christine!

 

Carrie Innes and Jason White

Want to book a doula? Want more information?

If you are interested in working together, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can!