Mindful Birth & Family Support in Southern Georgian Bay
Empowering your transition to parenthood in Collingwood, Thornbury, and The Blue Mountains.
Whether you are planning a birth at the Collingwood General and Marine Hospital (CGMH) or dreaming of a peaceful homebirth near the shores of Georgian Bay, I am here to provide the steady, evidence-based support you deserve. From the hills of The Blue Mountains to the quiet streets of Thornbury, my mission is to bring peacefulness and confidence to your birth and postpartum experience.
Holistic Support for Local Families
CGMH Birth & Homebirth Doula Support
Specialized doula care tailored to the specific protocols of the Nottawasaga Midwives and the Collingwood General and Marine Hospital.
Postpartum Night Doula Support
Dedicated overnight infant care so you can recover and rest while your baby is in expert hands. Lactation support & bottle feeding support in your home.
Home Birth & Pool Rentals
Full-service birth pool rentals for those choosing a waterbirth at home with Nottawasaga Midwives in the Southern Georgian Bay region.
Maternity, Birth & Newborn Photography
Capturing your family's first chapter with a timeless, film-inspired aesthetic in your own home or in hospital. All birth doula packages come with birth photography!
Bringing a new life into the world is a transformative journey that deserves to be met with steady hands and a calm heart. My name is Leah, and for over 10 years, I have walked alongside families across "The Triangle"—from the shores of Collingwood and Wasaga Beach to the quiet hills of Stayner—navigating the profound transitions of birth and early parenthood.
My approach at Doula By The Bay is rooted in the belief that when you feel safe, informed, and truly seen, you can lean into the power of your own story.
Why Work With Me?
Deep Local Experience I have a history of working collaboratively with the Nottawasaga Midwives and the maternity team at Collingwood General and Marine Hospital (CGMH). Whether you are birthing at the hospital or in the comfort of your own home, my familiarity with local care providers ensures a seamless, supportive experience.
Waterbirth & Lifelong Water Connection: As a lifelong swimmer and former competitive synchronized swimmer, I have always found peace in the water. I have translated this passion into my professional work by completing my Waterbirth Support Person training through Waterbirth International. I am uniquely equipped to support families choosing water as a comfort measure or for delivery, providing both specialized knowledge and professional-grade birth pool rentals.
A Calm, Mindful Presence: As a mindfulness meditation teacher, I specialize in "holding the space." I use mindfulness and breathwork to help you maintain peacefulness and resilience, even in the most intense moments of labour.
A Queer-Affirming Space: I am proud to provide inclusive, queer-affirming care. Every family in Southern Georgian Bay deserves to feel celebrated and supported exactly as they are. LGBTQ + families are eligible to receive 10% off their birth doula package.
Intimate Photography: My experience as a professional maternity, birth and newborn photographer allows me to see the beauty in the raw, quiet moments. Using a professional Fujifilm camera, I capture film-style digital imagery that preserves your family’s first memories without ever disrupting the peace of your birthing space.
Meet Your Southern Georgian Bay Doula & Birth Photographer
A Decade of Dedicated Support in the Heart of the Triangle
I’m here to be your advocate, your educator, and your steady support system. From our first prenatal yoga session to the quiet hours of an overnight postpartum shift, my goal is to ensure you feel confident, empowered, and truly cared for.
Your Questions, Answered
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Yes, I frequently support families birthing at CGMH. I work collaboratively with the local OBGYNs and midwives to ensure you have continuous emotional and physical support throughout your labour and delivery.
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Yes. I provide full-service birth pool rentals throughout Thornbury, Clarksburg, and The Blue Mountains. This includes delivery, professional-grade equipment, and all the supplies needed for a safe and comfortable home water birth.
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Absolutely! While many of my doula clients choose to add a photography package, I also offer standalone film-style digital newborn sessions for families throughout Collingwood. These are relaxed, in-home sessions designed to capture the natural beauty of your new life together.
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I provide birth, postpartum, and photography services to all areas of The Blue Mountains, including Craigleith, Tyrolean Village, and the surrounding rural communities.
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While CGMH currently offers showers and tubs for pain management during labor, actual waterbirths (delivering in the water) are typically reserved for homebirth settings in our region. However, as a trained Waterbirth Support Person through Waterbirth International, I can help you utilize hydrotherapy effectively at the hospital to increase comfort and promote a peaceful labor flow before baby arrives.
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"Fresh 48" sessions are captured within the first two days of your baby’s life, often while you are still at the hospital or settling in at home—these are raw, documentary-style moments. Traditional newborn sessions are typically done within the first month and focus on gentle portraits, capturing baby’s first bath, sibling greetings, and nursery moments with the whole family. I offer both to families in The Blue Mountains and Collingwood, Wasaga Beach and Stayner, ensuring we capture the chapter of your story that feels most meaningful to you.
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My priority is always your support and safety. Because of my 10 years of experience, I’ve learned how to find the "quiet beats" of labour to capture those once-in-a-lifetime images without ever stepping out of my role as your doula. I use a quiet shutter professional camera to ensure the atmosphere remains peaceful and undisturbed.
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I believe that every person has the right to choose the birth environment that feels safest and most aligned with their values. I do offer doula support for families choosing a free birth (unassisted birth); however, it is important to note that I attend these births strictly in a non-medical doula capacity. As your doula, my role is focused on emotional encouragement, physical comfort measures, and maintaining a peaceful atmosphere. I do not perform medical tasks such as fetal monitoring, physical exams, or clinical assessments. My goal is to be a supportive, mindful presence on your team, regardless of the setting you choose.
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While both doulas and midwives provide incredible support, our roles are distinct and complementary.
The Nottawasaga Midwives (or your OBGYN) are your medical care providers. They are responsible for the health and safety of you and your baby. They perform clinical tasks, monitor your progress, and are trained to catch and manage medical complications.
As your Doula, I am your professional support person. I do not have a clinical role. Instead, I focus on continuous support—staying by your side throughout the entirety of active labour and delivery to provide comfort, advocacy, and guidance. Think of your midwives as the experts on the safety of the birth, and your doula as the expert on your comfort and emotional experience. We work together as a cohesive team to ensure you feel both safe and empowered.
