LET’S START BY TELLING EVERYONE ABOUT WHO YOU ARE AND YOUR BUSINESS.
Monique: “I am Monique Legere, owner/operator of Thrive Doula Services. I offer Doula support and Prenatal Education. I have been a Doula for almost four years. My passion for supporting families was sparked after my own difficult birth and recovery. I felt traumatized by what I experienced and I knew there must be a better way. After doing a ton of research, I was sold; I wanted to become a Doula.”
WHAT SERVICES DO YOU OFFER AND WHERE?
Monique: “I offer Birth and Labour support, which means I support birthing parents and partners through pregnancy, providing evidence-based information on options for birth and a comprehensive birth plan. This means spending time with families prenatally, offering information, working on goals and birth wishes. During labour and birth, I am present as soon as families need me. I am there for the duration of labour, birth and stay for 1-3 hours after the baby is born. I like to think of myself as a birth Sherpa, helping families climb to the summit. I am also a Postpartum Doula, which means I support families after a baby is born. I am an extra set of hands to help families with a variety of tasks. I provide information and show families evidence-based infant care practices and feeding support to help new parents find their feet and gain confidence. Lastly, I offer expectant families Prenatal Education classes. Information is power. My services are offered in the HRM, but I am happy to travel up to one-hour outside of metro to support a birth family for a prenatal class.”
WHAT TRAINING HAVE YOU DONE?
Monique: “I took my Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula and Childbirth Educator certifications through Doula Canada. I have done a great deal of professional development trainings as well, Anti-Racism training, Birth Trauma Support, Complicated Birth and Support, Blood Borne Pathogens, Preconception to Postpartum Nutrition, Infant Mental Health Certificate, Advanced VBAC Doula Training, Several Breastfeeding Trainings and Postpartum Recovery training.”
HOW MANY BIRTHS HAVE YOU ATTENDED? (HOW MANY IN-HOSPITAL VS HOME BIRTH?)
Monique: “I have attended 19 births, with many births lined up for the winter, spring and summer. All of the births I have attended have been at the IWK. Not because I am not a strong supporter of home birth! Two clients had planned for a home birth but needed to transfer to the hospital. I have a home birth family this month, so I am super excited to support this lovely family in their home.”
WHAT (IF ANY) POSTPARTUM CARE DO YOU OFFER?
Monique: “I am super passionate about postpartum support. I include a postpartum visit, with text/call support to my birth families. But as a Postpartum Doula, I offer small and big packages to ensure families get all the support they need.”
WHAT IS IT LIKE WORKING WITH YOU? WHAT IS THE PROCESS TO BOOK? WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS YOUR “DOULA STYLE” OR YOUR CORE VALUES?
Monique: “I hope that I put families at ease, that is always my goal. My objective is that clients are always relieved to see my face! I aim to normalize the pregnancy, birth and postpartum experience for families. All the beauty and the struggle is completely normal. To book my services, it’s as simple as a call or an email. Most families like to have a consultation (free and no obligation of course). But some only need a quick chat and are ready to sign on! My Doula style is being flexible. Every family is different, all have unique needs, so I try to be open and non-judgmental. My values are your values. It’s not about my beliefs, it’s about supporting yours.”
HOW DO YOU SUPPORT YOUR CLIENTS DURING LABOUR AND AT HOME?
Monique: “There are so many techniques to help support clients in labour. TENS machine, hands-on support such as hip squeezes and counter pressure, massage, affirmations, breathing techniques, hydrotherapy and more! All can be done at home or in the hospital.”
WHAT COPING TECHNIQUES HAVE YOU FOUND MOST HELPFUL FOR LABOUR?
Monique: “That varies so much among individuals, birth is never one size fits all. That’s why Doulas have lots of tools in their toolboxes.”
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT PAIN MEDS?
Monique: “I have zero judgement around pain medications. Every client has different birth goals. My role is to provide evidence-based information on the risks and benefits of any given intervention. Clients make those decisions themselves. My job is to support the client’s choices. There are many ways to create movement and make space for baby in your pelvis if you choose an epidural.”
DO YOU HAVE A BACKUP DOULA OR PLAN IF YOU CAN’T MAKE IT TO A BIRTH?
Monique: “Always, clients have hired you to support them. I am fortunate to have an amazing backup Doula who I have complete confidence in. In the unlikely event that I couldn’t be with my clients, I know they will have top-shelf support.”
YOUR NUMBER ONE TIP FOR LABOUR? FOR PREGNANCY? POSTPARTUM?
Monique: “Other than hiring a Doula? I would say preparation, knowing what to expect from your pregnancy, understanding birth and your options as well as being informed on what to expect when you bring your bundle home. Lastly, surrender! Pregnancy is hard, birth is hard, bringing home a baby is hard……surrender to the experience and know when challenges are at a fever pitch, it will pass.”
ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD?
Monique: “Doulas matter, there is solid science to back that up. Birth Doulas make a statistical difference in improving birth outcomes and enhancing birth experiences. Postpartum Doulas lower the rate of Postpartum Depression.”
Monique can be found on Instagram and her website.
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