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Embrace Your Transformative Journey

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Holistic support for a mindful pregnancy, labour & birth, postpartum, and early parenting experience

"I believe that with knowledge, wise guidance, and compassionate support, we can distill the fear that is present in society around pregnancy, birth, and postpartum and instill confidence for an informed and empowering experience."

Kristen Fortier lying on the grass, pregnant
Kristen Fortier standing by the some rocks, trees andwater

Parent of one beautiful soul, daytime caregiver to four more. I am a Certified Birth and Postpartum Doula, Reiki practitioner, and a Certified Yoga teacher with a deep passion of spreading love, knowledge, and empowerment to expectant and new parents.

I am Kristen..

Grateful you are here…

Kristen Fortier outside sitting with her child

I believe that with evidence-based information, compassionate support, and wise guidance, we can instill confidence and release our fears and uncertainties about this journey. I aim to provide informational, emotional, and physical support from pregnancy to parenthood so parents feel well equipped to embrace the journey as it unfolds. I want to empower people to take an active role in creating the birth experience they desire and embracing self-confidence.

 

I also have a passion for the natural, unhindered development of infants and toddlers. I have completed the Resources for Infant Educarers (RIE) Foundations course where I gained a comprehensive understanding of infant and toddler motor development and social-emotional development. I want to share this perspective to support parents in building authentic relationships with their babies while encouraging their self-confidence and independence, from the very start.

With a mindful and informed approach, may we be empowered, respected, and supported. May our spirits evolve, and may we embrace our authenticity as we birth and raise conscious, self-confident children. 

It is an honour to connect with you and be part of your journey!

With love and gratitude,

Kristen

If you do not see something that is exactly what you are looking for, send me an email and we can custom make something that works for you!

Services

This is the most complete care package. I am at your service, providing unwavering support to you before, during, and after childbirth. With a deep understanding of the birthing process and a commitment to empowering families, I offer physical, emotional, and informational assistance to ensure an informed and empowering birth experience.

This care service provides evidence-based information and resources to help you make informed decisions about your birth preferences, promoting a sense of empowerment and autonomy throughout the birthing process. With my compassionate presence and expert guidance, I ensure that you feel heard, empowered, and respected as you welcome your new baby into this world.


Empowered Birth Package includes:

  • Free consultation

  • Ongoing phone, email and text support throughout pregnancy

  • THREE prenatal meetings where we get to explore options for birth, your birth preferences, physiology of labour & birth, preparing to nurture your newborn, yoga for pregnancy and birth preparation, postpartum preparation, and all your questions and concerns 

  • On-call 24/7 from 38 weeks

  • Continuous support during labour and birth (can include Reiki)

  • Presence 1-2 hours after birth to support the immediate postpartum experience and breastfeeding initiation

  • We will also get to connect for a postpartum visit 1-3 days after birth to process your experience and explore all questions, concerns and emotions

Empowered Birth:

Labour Doula Care

$800-$1100

Choose the price that best suits your situation

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Our sessions will be tailored to meet your and your partner's unique needs and preferences as you prepare for the arrival of your baby. Through compassionate guidance and evidence-based practices, we'll delve into practical techniques and emotional preparation to equip you with the confidence and resilience needed for labour and birth.

Topics that we can explore are:

  • Prenatal Yoga and breathing practices for increased well-being during pregnancy, labour, and birth

  • Strengthening and connecting with your Pelvic Floor for optimal pelvic health during pregnancy, labour and birth, and postpartum recovery

  • Exploring your birth preferences and your ideal birthing environment

  • Preparing to nurture your newborn by exploring caregiving activities, fostering secure attachments, preparing your home environment

  • Empowering you to self-advocate and make informed decisions 

  • Preparing and equipping your Partner to support you during labour

  • Exploring possibilites and understanding options and alternatives in labour and birth

  • Understanding signs of labour beginning, and the stages of labour and birth and ways to manage each stage

  • Finding ease amidst labour with various comfort measures and positions 

  • Integrating medical pain management options with your birth preferences

  • Preparing for first few hours after birth including initiating breastfeeding

  • Navigating postpartum realities and setting realistic expectations

Prenatal Coaching & Birth Preparation

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$85 for 1 session

$160 for 2 sessions

$240 for 3 sessions 

Postpartum Doula Care - Overnight Support

Overnight postpartum care can provide invaluable support at any stage after the birth of your baby. Whether this is your first or subsequent baby. Overnight support gives you the opportunity to rest, knowing your baby will be tended to, and fed or brought to you to be fed. And, imagine waking up to folded laundry and a tidy kitchen!?! With expertise in newborn care, breastfeeding support, infant development and emotional well-being, this care service provides practical assistance, guidance, and encouragement.

 

Shifts are personalized support tailored to the unique needs and preferences of your family. By nurturing both parents and baby, we can foster a supportive environment where your family can bond, heal, and thrive during this sacred time of transition.

Support during shifts can include:

  • Non-judgemental, compassionate emotional support

  • Feeding guidance and support, attention to latch and feeding positions

  • Support with baby sleep and soothing methods 

  • Information and resources to support your physical recovery

  • Instilling confidence while caregiving for your baby (feeding, diapering, bathing)

  • Being with baby while you get some rest

  • Tidying dishes, folding laundry, light meal preparation

  • Guidance on creating a physically safe, cognitively challenging, and emotionally nurturing home environment to support your baby’s optimal development

  • Yoga and breathing practices to reconnect with your core and pelvic floor

  • Reiki healing session to promote relaxation, reduce anxiety, and promote physical or emotional healing

mother holding a child in a grey knit sweater

Currently offering overnight support, 6pm-5am

$45/hour.

If interested in daytime shifts, connect with me to check availability.

Reiki Healing

Reiki is a gentle, holistic healing practice that promotes relaxation and balance, making it especially beneficial during the prenatal and postpartum periods. For expectant parents, Reiki helps reduce stress, alleviate physical discomfort, and enhance emotional well-being, fostering a calm and positive pregnancy experience. After childbirth, it can ease postpartum challenges, support recovery, and promote emotional resilience, providing valuable assistance during the transition into parenthood. 

 

A Reiki healing session takes place in a peaceful setting, where you can feel comfortable and safe. We will start by discussing any specific concerns or areas of focus. You remain fully clothed and find a comfortable position lying down on a massage table or sitting in a cozy chair. 

 

As I lightly place my hands on or just above your body, healing energy is channelled through my palms through gentle touch  and hand positioning. This process encourages relaxation, reduces tension, and helps to release emotional blockages. The session usually lasts about 50 to 60 minutes, during which you may experience sensations of warmth, tingling, or deep relaxation. 

 

At the end of the session, there’s often a moment for reflection, allowing us to discuss the experience and any insights we may have gained. Overall, Reiki fosters a nurturing environment for both parent and baby, enhancing the mind-body connection during this transformative time.

Sessions are offered Sundays and Mondays. Connect with me to find a time that works for you.

Image by Benjamin Voros

$65 per session 
Appointments available

Sundays and Mondays

Parent-Infant Guidance Sessions

Feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, like you cannot get a minute alone? Feeling anxious about so-called parenting "do’s" and "don’ts"? Afraid to be the parent your parents were or were not? Feel like you always have to entertain your child, that they cannot play alone? Feel like they can’t be out of your arms? Feeling stressed about milestones, development, or welcoming another child?

There is a more natural, intuitive, and easeful approach to parenting and caregiving. Together we will explore ways to encourage your child’s natural abilities, self-confidence, and independence. I will offer a mindset shift... a new way of seeing your infant or toddler, understanding their development with sensitive observation, and responding to them with intentionality. We will create a home environment that fosters your child’s optimal motor and social-emotional development. With a holistic, respectful approach we can rearrange the parenting dynamic, empower you and your child to unveil your authentic selves, and build an authentic relationship, creating a beautiful foundation that will benefit you all for the rest of your lives. 

 

If you are ready to find the ease and joy that is possible in this parenting journey, let’s connect. 

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Sessions are 60-90 minutes and are offered on a sliding scale. Connect to explore more.

CLIENT STORIES
service area

Embrun, Russell, Orleans, Ottawa, and all surrounding areas

KAREN G

We met Kristen only a day before going into labour, and thank god for her being available and a caring, reassuring presence from the very start. Kristen made the whole thing feel not only do-able but also much easier. Her attitude was perfect and she was full of attention and tips to help, from start to post-partum. We are very grateful for having had her as a doula.

CARING, REASSURING PRESENCE

The support and guidance I received from Kristen during the birth of my child was incredible. Hiring a doula was a very last minute decisions but turned out to be one of the best decisions my partner and I made throughout our pregnancy journey. From the moment we met, she showed warmth and professionalism, making us feel at ease and confident.

 

During labor, she was a constant source of comfort and encouragement, helping me manage pain and navigate the challenges of childbirth. Her presence was calming, and her knowledge of various birthing techniques was invaluable. She truly empowered me to have the birth experience I had hoped for, without any medication but I know she would've been totally non-judgmental no matter my choices.

 

Beyond the birth itself, our doula provided postpartum support that was equally invaluable. She checked in on us regularly, offering guidance on breastfeeding, newborn care, and mom's physical and emotional well being. Her compassion and expertise were a lifeline during those early weeks of parenthood. If you're considering hiring a doula, I wholeheartedly recommend it, and I can't recommend Kristen enough. Her generosity and support made a world of difference for our family. Thank you for being there for us during this life-changing experience!

KAREN 

WARMTH AND PROFESSIONALISM

STEPHANY H

Near the end of my second trimester, I was introduced to Kristen from a massage therapist I frequently went to and I wish I had Kristen sooner! I had never thought of having a doula to support me during my first birth. Kristen listened to my needs and wants during the whole process and made me feel supported and calm during the remainder of my pregnancy, labour and post labour. Kristen helped me care for my newborn which was super helpful as it was difficult as a first time parent trying to navigate caring for a child. Kristen's presence was invaluable. I had a great experience and I highly recommend Kristen!

SUPPORTED AND CALM

The support and guidance I received from Kristen during the birth of my child was incredible. Hiring a doula was a very last minute decisions but turned out to be one of the best decisions my partner and I made throughout our pregnancy journey. From the moment we met, she showed warmth and professionalism, making us feel at ease and confident.

 

During labor, she was a constant source of comfort and encouragement, helping me manage pain and navigate the challenges of childbirth. Her presence was calming, and her knowledge of various birthing techniques was invaluable. She truly empowered me to have the birth experience I had hoped for, without any medication but I know she would've been totally non-judgmental no matter my choices.

 

Beyond the birth itself, our doula provided postpartum support that was equally invaluable. She checked in on us regularly, offering guidance on breastfeeding, newborn care, and mom's physical and emotional well being. Her compassion and expertise were a lifeline during those early weeks of parenthood. If you're considering hiring a doula, I wholeheartedly recommend it, and I can't recommend Kristen enough. Her generosity and support made a world of difference for our family. Thank you for being there for us during this life-changing experience!

KAREN G

WARMTH AND PROFESSIONALISM

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