Hi there. I’m Adele.
My friends call me Del, or Deli.
It’s my privilege to serve the Calgary and surrounding area as a Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula, Perinatal Educator, and Registered Massage Therapist.
You can find me obsessing over birth photos and placentas, sending birthing videos to my bestie, and dreaming about the birth room.
Professional and compassionate care.
Reliable, trustworthy, certified Calgary Birth Doula and Calgary Postpartum Doula. Over 17 years of experience and 170+ families supported.
Serving all birthing preferences in a gender affirming environment.
Let’s connect and see if we’d be a good fit.
What does a doula do?
Doula is a Greek word meaning servant or helper.
A doula is a trained, experienced professional in matters related to childbirth. They offer people who give birth with emotional, physical, and educational support. Think of them as your birthing ally and advocate.
Doulaing involves educating, loving, respecting, listening, embracing, advocating for, and assisting people who are giving birth. The doula’s goal is to make your birth better. Research shows that birthing people who use a Birth Doula use fewer pain medications and experience fewer cesarean deliveries, reducing the likelihood of a negative birth experience. Furthermore, a Postpartum Doula provides you with personalized attention and support during your healing process after birth. This is beneficial to your mental health as well as your emotional recovery.
How does having a doula help me?
Every birthing person deserves a Birth Doula! Not to toot every doula’s horn (toot toot!), but they’re amazing experts who specialize in childbirth.
A Birth Doula can add value to any birth experience– whether it be at home, in a birth centre, or in a hospital, and regardless of whether you will be receiving care from a midwife or a doctor.
The doula will support you throughout your entire pregnancy. You can rely on them to understand your needs and priorities. Doulas are well-versed with the language medical professionals use. In other words, they’re someone who can help interpret the medical jargon and advocate for you to make decisions that is best for you and your baby.
Is having a doula worth it? Why should I invest in a doula?
- Because your birth experience is important. There should be someone who can hold space for you other than your birth partner. A doula can also support and facilitate your partner and/or family member in taking an active part in the birth process.
- Because birth can be intense! A professionally trained doula can help you stay calm and informed during labour and delivery, taking some of the pressure off your birthing partner and/or family member.
- Unconditional support in whatever choices you make. You will receive loving care and support from your doula, without any agenda. Your doula can also help you understand your rights and options for childbirth.
- To receive feeding support. Whether it be by breast or by bottle, a fed baby is the best baby. A thriving, healthy baby *and* birthing person is what we all want and need.
- Postpartum visits and check-ins. The 12-week postpartum period, often referred to as the fourth trimester, is the most important and least talked about. Your postpartum doula can provide support about feeding and caring for baby, and help you with your physical and emotional recovery.
- To answer any or all of your questions! Your doula is available during pregnancy, labour, birth and beyond. Having someone you can ask questions pretty much at any time is truly a gift everyone deserves.
How I can help you
Doulas understand that birth is unpredictable, which is why they have to be flexible with you and your birth. As you labour and give birth, both you and the baby are involved in the process. That means birthing a baby is both an act of trust and surrender. It’s a beautiful and empowering moment to witness.
This is your birth, your body, and your baby– so you deserve to be fully supported and honoured during this process.
I believe in your ability to go through this journey into parenthood. I will listen to you and help you understand your options. I will provide you with evidence-based information and resources. I will coach and support you during labour (and will low-key make an occasional throat punch on your behalf if necessary– I’m joking… mostly).
In postpartum care, physical recovery, emotional well-being, and newborn care are the main priorities. Let me ease your transition into parenthood by providing you with the support you need.
I offer lactation and infant feeding support, regardless of how choose to feed. I will help with light household tasks to make your home feel more peaceful and comfortable. I will provide nutritional guidance and help with meal preparation to make sure you’re eating. I can look after your baby while you take a break, eat, sleep, or shower so you can feel a little more human again. You can also rely on me for multiples support (more than one baby) or helping to look after any siblings.
Daytime and overnight options are available.
There are many benefits of massage therapy including allieviating many of the normal discomforts associated with pregnancy.
I’m a licensed Registered Massage Therapist and can help you find relief from the backaches and sore necks, or reduce your overall stress. I have the ability to help with most conditions and work intuitively to promote a healthier body. Whether you are an elite athlete, an expectant parent, or a “desk-jockey”, I’ve seen it all and would love to work with you.
Prepare yourself for childbirth and beyond by equipping yourself with the right knowledge, skills, and confidence.
Whether you choose to learn in-person or from the comfort of your own home, expect to engage in a fun and comprehensive educational experience.
Belly Casting
A belly cast uses plaster strips to capture the shape and size of the baby bump and often includes the chest. This is a fun, creative way to celebrate your pregnancy, creating a keepsake you can display and decorate. The process is generally done during the third trimester. A belly cast is also a great way to document the growth of your baby bump over time.
Infant Massage Education
Massage can soothe and decrease stress hormone levels in babies and improve their circulation, digestion, breathing, and oxygen flow. Furthermore, it is shown to increase parent-baby attachment. It is during these bonding moments that oxytocin (the love hormone) is released, which boosts feelings of happiness.
I am a Certified Infant Massage Instructor and can teach you to learn and apply massage to your little ones.
Birth Pool Rental
A birth pool is a large, inflatable tub filled with warm water that is used during labour to provide comfort and relaxation. In addition to supporting the body, the buoyancy of the water helps reduce pressure and ease pain, which makes labour more manageable. Receive all the benefits of a water birth without the hassle of purchasing and storing your own pool.
*for clients only
Postpartum Care Box
Add some extra TLC with a thoughtfully curated postpartum care box designed to support new parents in their recovery and comfort. Includes handmade nipple balm for breastfeeding relief, reusable bamboo nipple pads for leaks, relaxing bath soaks for rejuvenation, cooling Tucks pads to ease discomfort, a Haakaa manual breast pump, and other goodies.