Toronto’s renowned doula collective, Your Downtown Doula, has launched an innovative new prenatal program designed to offer personalised, expert care for expectant parents. The Confident Birth Prenatal Program, led by naturopathic doctors, aims to empower individuals with the tools and knowledge to achieve a positive birth experience, and it’s covered by most healthcare plans.
Founded in 2016, Your Downtown Doula is known for providing comprehensive pregnancy, birth, and postpartum support throughout Toronto. The collective consists of regulated healthcare professionals, offering services that go beyond typical doula care, such as breastfeeding support, infant sleep therapy, and prenatal education. Every member of the collective is a registered healthcare provider, ensuring the highest standard of care for both parents and newborns.
Dr Sarah Winward, ND IBCLC, co-founder of Your Downtown Doula, is a Naturopathic Doctor and Board-Certified Lactation Consultant. She describes her approach with a smile: “I live and breathe babies and lactation.” This passion is shared across the collective, where a holistic, patient-centred approach is at the core of their practice.
Your Downtown Doula is distinct in its incorporation of Naturopathic Medicine, blending scientific understanding with traditional wisdom to treat each patient as a whole person. This holistic approach not only supports the physical aspects of pregnancy and birth but also the emotional well-being of new parents, an essential part of their care philosophy.
The new Confident Birth Prenatal Program exemplifies this commitment to personalised care. The program is a private prenatal course designed for the individual schedule of the person giving birth and their partner, with sessions taught by a naturopathic doctor. Each class is tailored to help participants “unlock a positive birth experience,” with a focus on both the physiological and emotional components of childbirth.
The course was developed by Dr EeVon, ND, and Dr Olivia Chubey, ND, both co-founders of the collective and recognised experts in their field. Dr EeVon, a doula and educator with a background in hypnotherapy, is noted for her deep understanding of the emotional complexities of birth. Dr Chubey, who also has a background in kinesiology, is dedicated to helping individuals reclaim their birthing experiences.
The Confident Birth program consists of two 1-on-1 sessions, each lasting 2 to 2.5 hours, which can be held either virtually or in person at the client’s home. This flexibility allows for a truly customised experience, ensuring that each family receives care on their terms.
One of the key benefits of the program is that it is often covered by existing healthcare plans, making it accessible to a broader range of expectant parents. For those without coverage, payment plan options are available.
With this new program, Your Downtown Doula is once again setting itself apart as a leader in perinatal care. By combining medical expertise with a deeply personal approach, the collective is helping to redefine the pregnancy and birth experience for families across Toronto. For more information, visit Your Downtown Doula’s website.
