Kristin Heywood Postpartum Doula in Halton Hills, ON

Dearest Kristin, I am writing you to thank you for the gift you have given my family, myself specifically. It was a no brainer investing in a doula for this second pregnancy, and everyone was right - we had no regrets picking you! A clear comfortable contract didn’t prepare me for the support you provided. Though we hired you for post-partum care, you were a support during my very hard pregnancy. You provided me validation, connection, spiritual healing, not to mention the massages my body so desperately needed! Deciding whether to be induced was a huge mountain for us. I was high risk and my body had enough. You helped me understand my decision with love and compassion. You were so flexible with scheduling to respond to my extended hospital stay. You supported me through the phone and I felt safe leaving the hospital to come home to your care. A day with you nourished our family physically and spiritually. We were so shattered from the trauma of the birth and extended stay in the hospital. You supported our sleep, eating, and encouraged ways for us to connect while we were transitioning to a bigger family. Cooking for us, cleaning for us, yoga with my toddler while my husband and I could regroup. Having you for a few overnights helped so much with my healing and recovery. I am so grateful for investing in my recovery and choosing you. Anna

— Anna A.

I met Kristin when I was 6 weeks pregnant. I joined her pre-natal yoga class and instantly knew I wanted her to become our doula for the birth of our 3rd child. I had previously had 2 vaginal births at Guelph General with the Guelph Midwives. Those births were good, but for my third I wanted to feel more in control of the process. I wanted to do most of it myself. Kristin respected my wishes for a hands-off birth, guided me with advice and knowledge on how to best prepare my body and mind for the ultimate birthing experience and taught me to use my voice when it came to things I wanted to opt out of. To say that she was an asset to our household is an understatement. She was the calm cheerleader, the second mama to my older kids, the person my husband needed to feel at ease with having a homebirth. Her energy whenever we met inside my home, to prepare the space, was always lovely. She always brought a nutritious meal and snacks to support my needs. She helped cleanse my home, give Reiki and was an ear for listening to all my wishes, concerns and questions. With her, I felt confident in myself. We met once a month for almost 6 months, then every other week, and then every week for the last month of my pregnancy as well as providing post-natal care to ensure I was taking proper care of myself. We, as women, take care of everyone else. Kristin takes care of the women. When I had called to announce that I thought I was in labour, she came over, settled in and supported me through that early labour stage. She slept over knowing that I would most likely be giving birth in the night, and she was right. We woke up around 5am with my water breaking, and she immediately got to work. Our baby boy arrived within the hour. She was all for me. I was so cared for. She talked with me through the contractions, she only touched in ways we had previously discussed to ease the intensity of the contractions (hip squeezes, back rubs etc). She sat by me, along with my 2 older kids, husband and dog. She was the energy we needed. The experience was pure bliss. The post-natal care was also important to me. With my two older kids, a husband heading back to work within a week and needing to keep up with daily life. I needed the rest. When Kristin came, she was a second mother without interfering. She was all for me, and allowed to me to have baths, naps and just general check-ins with my mental health. The first 3 months with our newest addition felt so easy with her providing exactly what I needed in that moment. I cannot recommend her enough.

— Rachel W.