Traditional Birth Companion

Women centered care for Mothers desiring an undisturbed birth.

“A Traditional Birth Companion follows in the footsteps of those women who came before her, humbly serving the family in the way that best meets their needs. She brings wisdom, experience, and knowledge to a timeless process that unfolds more simply in the presence of understanding and compassion. She carries ancient wisdom regarding herbs, remedies, nutrition, family and faith, and brings new knowledge in the science and physiology of healthy pregnancy and safe birth. The wisdom of a Traditional Birth Companion encompasses much more than just helping a mother give birth. It addresses generations of misinformation, fear, trauma, and bondage to a system that harms women. It addresses current concerns with new strategies for wellness and wholeness.

A Traditional Birth Companion (also known as a Traditional Birth Attendant) is recognised around the world as an experienced mentor who provides non-medical care for women during their childbearing experience according to the customs and traditions of the culture in which they live. In places around the world where it’s not illegal to be a midwife without a license, then this role is considered to be a non-medically trained community midwife. In places where midwifery is regulated, the role is more like having an experienced wise-woman with you who knows a thing or two about holistic pregnancy wellness, how birth unfolds, how to support the conditions that makes it simpler and safer, and provides mentoring so that the family becomes more educated, equipped, and empowered for the parenting journey ahead.

A Traditional Birth Companion operates within the traditions and culture in which she lives. We live in a technocratic culture where technology is at the top of the decision-making tree. That means that she provides non-medical support consistent with this paradigm by providing research-backed information and education relevant to conception, pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and parenting from several academic disciplines, including medical, psychological, sociological, midwifery, epidemiological, historical, and even military research.” -Billie Harrigan

What can a Traditional Birth Companion (TBA) offer?

A well-educated, trained, and skilled Companion can offer her community a variety of services.

  • holistic non-medical mentoring and education through prenatal visits, attending the birth, and postpartum care

  • childbirth education

  • fertility awareness and planning for conception

  • one-on-one consultations regarding pregnancy, birth, or postpartum concerns to help clients find and understand relevant research and support their decision-making process

  • knowledgeable peer support for processing previous births or birth-related trauma

  • help parents plan for a future pregnancy and birth according to their values and wishes

  • in-person or virtual visits for prenatal wellness

  • in-home care for the postpartum family

  • breastfeeding support

  • TBC’s works in partners and will call to have a backup TBC once labour has reached a certain intensity.

Investment for TBA: $3500 PIF or payment plans available

Kristin’s offerings include:

  • Sovereign & Physiological Homebirth Only

  • Works with only one private family at a time to ensure no overlap

  • Trauma informed Care

  • Pregnancy & Postpartum Nutrition

  • Free Birth and TBA 

  • Breastfeeding + Bottle Feeding

  • First-second-third time parents

  • Breech/transverse

  • High risk & complications/low risk

  • Water birth

  • Post Partum Support for all births: Natural/Unmedicated/medicated/epidural

  • Vaginal Birth

  • VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean)

  • Twin specialist

💕Client Love💕

“I met Kristin when I was 6 weeks pregnant. I joined her pre-natal yoga class and instantly knew I wanted her to become our doula for the birth of our 3rd child. I had previously had 2 vaginal births at Guelph General with the Guelph Midwives. Those births were good, but for my third I wanted to feel more in control of the process. I wanted to do most of it myself. Kristin respected my wishes for a hands-off birth, guided me with advice and knowledge on how to best prepare my body and mind for the ultimate birthing experience and taught me to use my voice when it came to things I wanted to opt out of. To say that she was an asset to our household is an understatement. She was the calm cheerleader, the second mama to my older kids, the person my husband needed to feel at ease with having a homebirth. Her energy whenever we met inside my home, to prepare the space, was always lovely. She always brought a nutritious meal and snacks to support my needs. She helped cleanse my home, give Reiki and was an ear for listening to all my wishes, concerns and questions. With her, I felt confident in myself. We met once a month for almost 6 months, then every other week, and then every week for the last month of my pregnancy as well as providing post-natal care to ensure I was taking proper care of myself. We, as women, take care of everyone else. Kristin takes care of the women. When I had called to announce that I thought I was in labour, she came over, settled in and supported me through that early labour stage. She slept over knowing that I would most likely be giving birth in the night, and she was right. We woke up around 5am with my water breaking, and she immediately got to work. Our baby boy arrived within the hour. She was all for me. I was so cared for. She talked with me through the contractions, she only touched in ways we had previously discussed to ease the intensity of the contractions (hip squeezes, back rubs etc). She sat by me, along with my 2 older kids, husband and dog. She was the energy we needed. The experience was pure bliss. The post-natal care was also important to me. With my two older kids, a husband heading back to work within a week and needing to keep up with daily life. I needed the rest. When Kristin came, she was a second mother without interfering. She was all for me, and allowed to me to have baths, naps and just general check-ins with my mental health. The first 3 months with our newest addition felt so easy with her providing exactly what I needed in that moment. I cannot recommend her enough. “

- Rachel

“To any future parents-to-be reading this, I highly recommend you book Kristin as your support person. My husband and I connected instantly with Kristin as she accommodated our needs and was able to approach our specific birth plan with our hopes in mind. I felt supported by her and would recommend her to anyone.“

- PJ and Bodhi

“Kristin supported me throughout my pregnancy in so many ways and I am forever grateful to have had her support. Her prenatal yoga classes were amazing and I went weekly until I was 41 weeks pregnant! I also did her Prenatal, Breastfeeding and Postpartum classes and I learned so much from her. I was empowered with information and it helped make my birth experience and transition to motherhood something that I will always cherish. Kristin's teachings are a wonderful balance of learning/holistic strategies, warmth, and humour. She is giving with her time and energy and I recommend her to all of the new moms and moms-to-be that I know.”

— Katie F.

“Ifeel ready to tackle anything that might come up, and it is a comfort to know that if there is anything I DON'T know or don't feel confident about Kristin will be there to support me through the decision process. The mindfulness I've gained from the program's yoga and meditation will no doubt make my post natal journey smoother. Not to mention bringing meditation into my life going forward which I've been desperate to do, but unsure how to start.“

-Joana F