Dr. Bonnie R

After a traumatic first birth experience that resulted in a c-section, my husband and I decided that we would hire a doula for our second child. Having no experience with the doula world, we were unaware that doulas booked up so far in advance that you apparently needed to start looking before you even got pregnant, so we were unable to find anyone who had any availability in the summer. I posted in my local parents page asking if anyone knew of any doulas familiar with VBACs and birth trauma who had availability. Bonnie responded within half an hour saying she could help. I messaged her late that evening and got a response shortly after. We were incredibly impressed with how responsive she was, so I interviewed with her and her partner, Karen. Although Bonnie was ultimately the doula who attended my birth, she and Karen worked as a team supporting me throughout my pregnancy. Both made themselves available by text or phone whenever I needed to discuss issues or appointments—and as a VBAC candidate over the age of 35, there was a decent amount of that—and were incredibly prompt in their response time. They also provided materials to prepare for birth from hypnobirthing to spinning babies. Bonnie even set up an appointment quickly at 32 weeks when we found out my baby was breech, and she was able to determine the root cause and helped me flip my baby. My labor and delivery of my second child did not end up being the beautiful, redemptive VBAC I had been envisioning. I had to be induced at 42 weeks, and 23 hours into my water breaking and reaching 10cm and starting to push, I developed a fever and infection, and we found out my baby had somehow flipped into a transverse position. Bonnie was by my side through it all with praise, affirmation, and support. She talked me through everything and acted as a liaison between the medical team and me to ensure I had time and space to consider everything. I ultimately made the decision for a repeat c-section to protect my baby, and Bonnie stayed with me through the procedure and kept praising me for my strength and validating my choice. She never once made me feel shame or regret; instead, she continued to tell me how strong I was and reiterate that I made the best choice for my baby and me. She held my hand and held the bag for me to vomit in, knowing I feared both being numb and vomiting. In the doula world, natural childbirth is often the goal (and any other approach can sometimes be viewed quite negatively), and though Bonnie encourages and supports that, her and Karen’s prime purpose is to support you in whatever it is that YOU want. They’re truly invested in trying to give you the birth experience that you want, whether that’s unmedicated, an epidural, or a c-section, and they support you through the experience you have. My baby and I were in the hospital NICU for 17 days for antibiotic treatment of the infection we contracted during labor, and Bonnie continued to text to check on us during this time. Having her do that after her job was “done” really meant a lot to my husband and me, and having her calm strength at my side during an otherwise terrifying experience really changed the experience for me. Although my second birth didn’t go how we had hoped, it was still the redemptive experience that I had wished for because I felt supported and empowered to make the choices myself. It’s allowed me to have the positive, peaceful, and joyful postpartum experience that I was robbed of with my firstborn. It’s easy to recommend someone when the experience and outcome is exactly as you hoped and their involvement is relatively minimal. It’s not always easy to recommend someone when your experience isn’t smooth and you require more support than anticipated, but Bonnie absolutely earned it. Whether you have an ideal experience or the most difficult, having the right person at your side supporting you through it can make the difference in how that experience shapes the beginning of your parenting journey. Bonnie and Karen do that. Thank you, Bonnie and Karen!

Bonnie is a very talented bodyworker in the birthing space. She saw me several times to help me relax and prep me for spinning the baby. She's a very talented masseuse and knows loads and loads about pregnant bodies. Would go back to her in a flash. "Baby loves squish" is my favourite phrase of hers!

Bonnie is an expert masseuse! My clients are always well care for and happy when I send them for prenatal massage, including induction massage. She also offers a deep knowledge and love of sharing spinning babies techniques. She's is a wonderful part of our birth community! Thank you Bonnie!