Our Doulas

Michelle Maisonville, birth doula.Michelle Maisonville, Birth Doula

Michelle Maisonville is a married mother of two. She first became interested in becoming a doula following the birth of her first child in Edmonton, AB in 2003. The birth was filled with interventions and both Michelle and her daughter had some complications. Upon becoming pregnant with her second child, Michelle researched other birthing options. After having a doula attend the birth of her son in 2005, Michelle knew it was something she had to do. Read more in Our Stories.

Upon moving to Medicine Hat in 2005, Michelle began a consumer advocacy organization, Women's Options in Maternity Care & Birth (WOMB), with a mission to educate women about options in maternity care and childbirth. In August 2008, Michelle coordinated and completed the first DONA International birth doula training in Medicine Hat. In October 2009, Michelle completed a Waterbirth Credentialing Workshop taught by Barbara Harper, RN, CD, CCE, Midwife and founder of Waterbirth International.

Michelle is also a volunteer with the Agnes Adam Lee Centre for Unexpected Pregnancy as well as the Medicine Hat Pregnancy & Family Support Centre. She works as a labour assistant for expectant mothers facing challenges during their pregnancy.

Michelle believes in a woman's ability to birth. Her sensitivity makes her an ideal support to women in labour. Michelle can be contacted by phone at (403) 580-9478 or via email.

Amanda Kleinsasser, birth doula.Amanda McIvor, Birth Doula

She first heard about doulas when her future mother-in-law mentioned how much she loved having a doula present at the birth of her first child. After doing some research Amanda took the DONA birth doula training course in June 2009. It inspired her to further pursue a career as a doula.

After attending her first birth as a doula on September 19, 2009, Amanda fell in love with this new journey. It was at this point that she decided to join From Womb To Cradle. She continues to work on completing her certification and is hoping to complete it within the next year.

Amanda’s continued passion for her work makes her an asset to the women in her care. She serves families in Drumheller, Brooks, Tilley and Medicine Hat areas. She can be reached at (403) 377-2974 or via email.

 

Associate Doula (Lethbridge)

Krystal Bartz associate birth doula. Krystal Bartz, Birth Doula

Nine Months and Beyond Doula

We are pleased to welcome Krystal Bartz as an associate doula serving Lethbridge and surrounding areas. Krystal attended a DONA International birth doula training in Lethbridge June 2009. She is currently working towards her birth doula certification through ISIS Birth Arts. Her future goals include becoming a postpartum and antepartum doula, a lactation counselor and a childbirth educator through Childbirth International. Krystal has had the great privilege of learning under Barbara Harper, of Waterbirth International, during her Waterbirth Credentialing and Certification Workshop.  Krystal has also attended a breastfeeding workshop taught by Jackie Glover; a local breastfeeding expert.

As a wife and a mother of two, Krystal understands how important it is to put family first, and that is her goal as a birth doula. She wants every expectant mother to feel like she has unconditional and unlimited support as she ventures into labour, birth and beyond.

For more information about Krystal, please visit her web site at www.ninemonthsdoula.com or email krystal@ninemonthsdoula.com.