About Inlet

You are a midwife, assisting at someone else’s birth. Do good without show or fuss. Facilitate what is happening rather than what you think ought to be happening. If you must take the lead, lead so that the mother is helped, yet still free and in charge. When the baby is born, the mother will rightly say: “We did it ourselves!”
~Tao Te Ching

I am thrilled to be one of the founders of Inlet Community Birth Program. My midwifery career is my second one—I was originally educated at Ryerson University in the field of journalism, and spent two decades working in publishing as a writer and editor.

In 2003, I changed course and began my midwifery education with the Midwives College of Utah. My clinical training sites included a birth centre in El Paso, Texas; a midwifery practice in New Westminster, BC; a remote health centre in Fort Smith, NT; and a hospital-based midwifery practice in Thunder Bay, ON. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Midwifery in 2010, and completed the International Midwifery Pre-registration Program (a Canadian bridging program that orients internationally trained midwives to Canadian practise) in 2012. It’s been a long haul, but rather like a long labour, the results have been worth the effort. I love my work.

I was born and raised in British Columbia, and have lived in the Tri-Cities area for most of my life. I am also a mother to five, and I am blessed with a partner who supports my career in innumerable ways. When I am not at work, I am parenting, practising yoga, cycling, kickboxing, reading, knitting, and travelling.

My interest in midwifery began when I sought midwifery care for my first pregnancy.  After personally experiencing and witnessing midwifery care, from the initial consultation to the final 6-week visit, I was convinced.

I completed my midwifery training at University of British Columbia where I had the opportunity to work with and learn from midwives, physicians and other health care providers in various communities.   Prior to midwifery, I received a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Simon Fraser University with a certificate in Health and Fitness.

Outside of being a midwife, I spend most of my time finding ways to keep my two energetic boys busy.  Occasionally, you might find me on a rock climbing wall trying to conquer a new route.

I am delighted to be joining the wonderful caregivers here at Inlet Birth.  To the families receiving midwifery care:  I am so grateful to be part of your pregnancy and birth experience, thank you for sharing your journey with me.

One day in the early nineties, I heard a radio interview about the Midwifery Task Force, a group lobbying for the legalization and provincial funding of midwifery and midwifery training. The key principles of midwifery care that were discussed during the interview fit so well with my personal values that I knew I needed more information. The more I looked into midwifery, the more I knew I’d found my calling.

I was part of the first graduating class from UBC’s Bachelor of Midwifery Degree Program in April 2005, and trained at a variety of placements, including Prince George, Campbell River, and BC Women’s Hospital in Vancouver.

I’ve always chosen jobs and training that support people to take ownership of their own experiences. My previous education includes certification in American Sign Language, Working with Youth in Community Settings, Doula Training, and Health and Fitness Studies. This diverse training has been invaluable. I especially enjoyed running a Community Kitchens program, and working in recreation with children and at-risk youth.

Within midwifery, I enjoy being a preceptor for UBC midwifery students. I also instruct: Fetal Health Surveillance, Neonatal Resuscitation, and ALARM (Advances in Labour and Risk Management – an Emergency Skills program). I value ongoing professional development and have attended training for Indigenous Cultural Competence, Breastfeeding Counselling, Contraception Management and C-Section Surgical Assist Program.

I believe that pregnancy and birth can be normal and extraordinary at the same time; a belief reaffirmed when I had twin daughters in 2009. I also think that, when given adequate information, a woman will have the tools to make the decisions that are right for her and her family. I endeavour to support a woman to feel involved and respected in her care and I appreciate the opportunity to work with you.

As a full-service family physician in Coquitlam, BC, I am dedicated to providing patient-centered care to all-comers, from children to seniors. I particularly delight in the opportunity to help welcome babies into the world.

After finishing my family practice residency in 2010, I began catching babies at Royal Columbian Hospital where I have benefited from learning from many excellent colleagues; from obstetricians, fellow family doctors, nurses and midwives alike. Giving birth to my daughters in 2013 and 2015 solidified my passion for accompanying women and their partners on their journey into parenthood. I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of the Inlet Community Birth Program where I can further my experience in providing interdisciplinary care.

I was born and raised in South Africa and immigrated to Canada in 1995. Soon afterwards, I began working as a therapist for young children on the autism spectrum.

In 2004, I trained as a birth and postpartum doula.  Since then, while completing degrees at UBC in Women’s Studies and in Midwifery, I have been attending births and spending time supporting families after the arrival of a new baby. 

Over the years, I have also had the opportunity to pair my love for travel with my passion for birth, working in clinics and hospitals in the Philippines, South Africa and Uganda. In Canada, I have had the opportunity to work and learn in South Delta, Vancouver, Victoria and Sooke.

It is an honour and privilege to work with families during their childbearing year. I look forward to being a part of this dynamic and skilled team, to meeting the wonderful families in our care!

Experience of the phenomenal capacity of our birthing body can give us an enduring sense of our own power as women. Birth is the beginning of life; the beginning of mothering, and of fathering. We all deserve a good beginning.
~Sarah J. Buckley

I was drawn to midwifery from a very different professional path, through my own experience of the transformative power of giving birth.  Having experienced its magical power first-hand as a birthing mother, I knew that birth was a place I wanted to return to as a midwife, with a wish to provide the same quiet, confident care my own midwives provided to me.  I treasure the relationships I develop with growing families prenatally, and consider it a great privilege to witness the “birth” of a new family — whether they are welcoming baby #1 or #12!  Gaining the trust and confidence of families is a deeply rewarding part of my work.  My reverence for supporting the autonomy of birthing women is great, and I take my role as a facilitator of women’s informed decision-making very seriously.

I am a graduate of the UBC Midwifery education program.  My training took place chiefly in the tri-cities and at RCH, with a rural year spent in Vernon BC.  Being a part of Inlet Community Birth Program is a sort of coming full circle for me, since some of the the midwives here served as my very first mentors when I began midwifery school!  I was born and raised in Port Moody and my family and I call the area home today.

I look forward to meeting the families at Inlet Birth and being a part of your journey into this amazing chapter of your lives!

Ask me for strength and I will  lend not only my hand, but also my heart.
~ Unknown

Pregnancy, birth and new motherhood are life-changing events in the life of any woman. My philosophy is to guard the normalcy and sanctity of this amazing time in women’s lives. I strive to empower women and their families by providing the information and support they need to make the best decisions for their care and maintain a state of health for them and their babies.  

Before becoming a midwife, I trained as a Doula through Douglas College and supported women as a volunteer through the Vancouver Health Department for a number of years. I was also an active member in the Midwifery Task Force, a grassroots organization of consumers of midwifery care. Our mission was to raise public awareness and lobby the government to regulate and fund midwifery care as part of the healthcare system. I served as editor for both the Midwifery Task Force Journal and The Aspiring Midwife.

I graduated with a Bachelor of Midwifery from the University of British Columbia in 2007. Through my education and experience, I have gained an appreciation for both the art and science of midwifery. I founded Beautiful Babies Midwifery in order to serve the families of the Tri-cities area. The days when new babies arrive are the most wonderful days in the world. I feel extremely honoured to be part of such a special time in the lives of women and their families.

I am the mother of three children, all born with the help of midwives!