A little about me (Wanda)...
I love birth. It's not about meeting a brand new baby (that’s a major bonus though!) and not just because each little one born is an absolute, awe-inspiring miracle (again, very true)... Largely, I'm in it for the satisfaction of helping birthing people embrace their experience and to get the most out of it; through individualized information, support & nurturing.
From experience, I know how important it is to invest in your birth experience and what an impact that "just one day" can make on your life.... As I prepared for my own first childbirth experience in 1997 I did what I thought I was suppose to; I took a hospital-based prenatal class, read some books and, I thought I was ready. On the "other side", how I describe my first birth experience is that “birth was done to me”. I was scared, felt helpless and out of control. Options and alternatives weren't presented, procedures weren't explained... I don't recall being part of a lot of decisions that were made. Not in a meaningful way anyway. That’s not how it’s supposed to go. Now, don’t get me wrong; I know that unpredicted outcomes are part of the deal in birth. Nature can throw us curve balls that we don’t “plan” on… but what about feeling empowered, informed and cared for all the while, no matter what course your labour has taken? And what about having the continuous support that has been proven to improve outcomes and the overall birth experience?
Near my first birth experience, doula’s arrived in NS. When I heard what they did, their role in birth, and the way they had the potential to change your experience of birth in the ways that mattered, I knew I wanted to become a doula... I knew I wanted to support others to make the most of their childbirth experiences. These, after all, are memories and experiences that stay with us forever.
I immediately started working toward becoming a birth doula. I took birth doula training in 1999 and went on to become Certified through Doulas of North America (DONA)! This passion for supporting families also drew me to become a Certified Infant Massage Instructor (and an IAIM Trainer as of 2024!), a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator, and to train as a Postpartum Doula with DONA as well. I am also a Certified CAPPA Lactation Educator. I then became an Evidence Based Birth® Instructor in 2016 and a DONA Approved Birth Doula Trainer. I'm excited to be able to serve families by training doulas, supporting birth and postpartum experiences, and providing high quality childbirth preparation through Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Classes, and infant massage classes through the International Association of Infant Massage.
I love continuously learning how to improve my practice through; attendance at conferences, professional development opportunities, and the use of the latest evidence-based research. But, in reality, my clients and their babies are my greatest teachers. I learn so much from each birthing person and family I meet and am grateful and honoured to support them in the childbearing year!
My own story continued as my husband and I went on to grow our family by both birth and adoption. We now have 6 wonderful children and I have learned so much through each of their arrivals! We live near the Halifax airport which enables me to provide effective support to families from HRM to Truro and everywhere in between- I have attended births at homes and hospitals in; Halifax, Truro, Kentville, Bridgewater, Amherst and Antigonish over the years!
I am thankful for family who regularly support me in my work by, selflessly, providing on-call childcare and by cheering me on as I do what I love- supporting growing families!
Warmly,
Wanda Cox
From experience, I know how important it is to invest in your birth experience and what an impact that "just one day" can make on your life.... As I prepared for my own first childbirth experience in 1997 I did what I thought I was suppose to; I took a hospital-based prenatal class, read some books and, I thought I was ready. On the "other side", how I describe my first birth experience is that “birth was done to me”. I was scared, felt helpless and out of control. Options and alternatives weren't presented, procedures weren't explained... I don't recall being part of a lot of decisions that were made. Not in a meaningful way anyway. That’s not how it’s supposed to go. Now, don’t get me wrong; I know that unpredicted outcomes are part of the deal in birth. Nature can throw us curve balls that we don’t “plan” on… but what about feeling empowered, informed and cared for all the while, no matter what course your labour has taken? And what about having the continuous support that has been proven to improve outcomes and the overall birth experience?
Near my first birth experience, doula’s arrived in NS. When I heard what they did, their role in birth, and the way they had the potential to change your experience of birth in the ways that mattered, I knew I wanted to become a doula... I knew I wanted to support others to make the most of their childbirth experiences. These, after all, are memories and experiences that stay with us forever.
I immediately started working toward becoming a birth doula. I took birth doula training in 1999 and went on to become Certified through Doulas of North America (DONA)! This passion for supporting families also drew me to become a Certified Infant Massage Instructor (and an IAIM Trainer as of 2024!), a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator, and to train as a Postpartum Doula with DONA as well. I am also a Certified CAPPA Lactation Educator. I then became an Evidence Based Birth® Instructor in 2016 and a DONA Approved Birth Doula Trainer. I'm excited to be able to serve families by training doulas, supporting birth and postpartum experiences, and providing high quality childbirth preparation through Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Classes, and infant massage classes through the International Association of Infant Massage.
I love continuously learning how to improve my practice through; attendance at conferences, professional development opportunities, and the use of the latest evidence-based research. But, in reality, my clients and their babies are my greatest teachers. I learn so much from each birthing person and family I meet and am grateful and honoured to support them in the childbearing year!
My own story continued as my husband and I went on to grow our family by both birth and adoption. We now have 6 wonderful children and I have learned so much through each of their arrivals! We live near the Halifax airport which enables me to provide effective support to families from HRM to Truro and everywhere in between- I have attended births at homes and hospitals in; Halifax, Truro, Kentville, Bridgewater, Amherst and Antigonish over the years!
I am thankful for family who regularly support me in my work by, selflessly, providing on-call childcare and by cheering me on as I do what I love- supporting growing families!
Warmly,
Wanda Cox