CHILDBIRTH EDUCATOR, BIRTH DOULA AND MASTER REBOZO SERVICES

WHO IS KATHY?

My name is Kathy Larabee. I am a wife, mother and grandmother and I have an unbridled passion for birth!

I loved being pregnant and although I prepared as much as I was able to for my sons' births, it was the support I had from my sister, Joy, at the birth of my daughter that changed my life and the way I feel about birth. I want to make a difference - because BIRTH MATTERS!!

Joyful Xpectations was born from the a desire to follow my dreams - visions that never seemed to fade - even when put on a back burner to raise children.

WHERE PASSION MEETS POSSIBILITY

'Whose passion and what possibility' you may ask? Well, like the vibrant and animated person I am, I actually don't have just ONE answer for you!!

I am passionate to both teach about pregnancy/childbirth through prenatal classes AND attend births to support families as they become families. The evidence-based backing for prenatal education and doula support in birth is changing medical history. . . Numerous books and medical articles continue to be written on the enormous paybacks to families and their newborns with education and doula support.

I am creative in a few different areas and want that creativity to flow into how I support clients. Enter: Placenta Printing and Rebozo work. My hope is that in some small way, I may share some joy with you in this journey of life and the significance of birth.

Doulas are trained and experienced in providing the necessary encouragement, reassurance, physical comfort-measures and non-medical advice throughout pregnancy, labour and birth. Doulas also give support to the partner and NOT take the place of the partner. As your birth doula, I help ensure a safe and satisfying birth experience.

I am a Certified birth Doula with DONA International CD(DONA) and am a certified Stillbirthday Loss and Bereavement Doula. I also hold a Master Rebozo certificate and use this beautiful cloth to help aid with comfort techniques, pain management and support for pregnancy and labour.

I can provide reassurance and perspective to you, make suggestions for labour progress, and help with a multitude of labour positions and comfort techniques.

I am dedicated to supporting childbearing families with a passion for building healthy communities. I hold the following qualifications:

• Certified Birth Doula CD(DONA)

• Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator (LCCE)

• StillBirthday Loss + Bereavement Doula

For these reasons, I am focused on providing comprehensive education and birtth doula care support to families in Cochrane, Calgary, Airdrie and the Okotoks area. I firmly believe all families matter and deserve evidence-based wrap-around support.

I co-facilitate a DONA-approved Birth Doula Training program in Alberta and British Columbia, as well as serve as a mentor to many new and aspiring Doulas.

In much joy,

Kathy Larabee