Experience and Philosophy
I have been practising as a Birth Doula in Montreal since 2010, in that time I’ve had the absolute honour to accompany over 150 families to date as they welcome their babies onto our spinning earth. Working with new mothers and fathers is a shining light in an often busy, disconnected world. For more information on my birth doula services in the Montreal area feel free to contact me.
My path to doula work began soon after the birth of my second child. I experienced an empowering birth and ever since I've felt pulled to help other mothers and their partners navigate the path towards their own fulfilling birth experiences.
I am a mother of two and am blessed to have a very supportive partner. For 8 years my work was as a stay-at-home mother, this period of my life taught me more than I ever could have imagined. I hold a BA in Psychology and Sociology and I've trained as a Nourri-Source breastfeeding mentor and have taken the WHO/UNICEF Training Course in Breastfeeding. I am a certified MotherWit Birth Doula.
I believe birth is a normal event in a woman's life; it is a rite of passage and not a medical incident. The arrival of a child can be one of the most empowering, healing, and fulfilling periods in a woman's life. My goal as your doula is to help you prepare for your labour and birth and to then support you as you welcome new life. Of course, sometimes labour does not go as we expect, my hope is that no mother feels lost in the medical system but that she will feel informed, supported, nurtured and loved throughout her labour and at the moment her child is born.
My path to doula work began soon after the birth of my second child. I experienced an empowering birth and ever since I've felt pulled to help other mothers and their partners navigate the path towards their own fulfilling birth experiences.
I am a mother of two and am blessed to have a very supportive partner. For 8 years my work was as a stay-at-home mother, this period of my life taught me more than I ever could have imagined. I hold a BA in Psychology and Sociology and I've trained as a Nourri-Source breastfeeding mentor and have taken the WHO/UNICEF Training Course in Breastfeeding. I am a certified MotherWit Birth Doula.
I believe birth is a normal event in a woman's life; it is a rite of passage and not a medical incident. The arrival of a child can be one of the most empowering, healing, and fulfilling periods in a woman's life. My goal as your doula is to help you prepare for your labour and birth and to then support you as you welcome new life. Of course, sometimes labour does not go as we expect, my hope is that no mother feels lost in the medical system but that she will feel informed, supported, nurtured and loved throughout her labour and at the moment her child is born.
What my clients have shared...
Laurel was an invaluable resource during our entire birthing process. Prenatally, the meetings were very informative. Despite her significant knowledge and experience, Laurel actively listened to what our goals and opinions were and helped us stay true to them. After the prenatal sessions, we felt much more empowered and prepared for labour and delivery. The night labour began, Laurel was available and supportive while we laboured at home. In the hospital, she was an advocate for us and showed great judgement. She also was very tactful and professional making gentle suggestions when necessary but allowing us to share the intimate moments of this special time. After the birth of our daughter, Laurel remained present to share her breastfeeding expertise and to insure we were safe and comfortable. She has continued to be there for us postnataly. We are happy to recommend Laurel as a Doula and would use her services again in a heartbeat.
Steve and Maura
I was very nervous about delivering my baby and wanted to have a doula but wasn't sure how I would find one or even if they would be able to take me as a client as I had heard that they book up fast. A friend suggested I contact Laurel (they are old friends) and all I can is that she was amazing. I was so relieved at the prospect of having someone who knew about babies/delivery there to guide us in our journey. As soon as I spoke to Laurel, I knew she would be perfect. Her calm and gentle manner immediately put me at ease. The meetings we had before the delivery were very informative. My delivery was anything but smooth (induction, 40 or so hours of labor and then a c-section), so having her there helped so much. It was very comforting knowing that we had someone in our corner to help, encourage and provide guidance. My fiancé really appreciated being able to take a bit of a break so he could eat and catch some sleep. Her after delivery care was also very helpful. Laurel has a wealth of information and support to share. She truly enhanced our birthing experience and made a very difficult situation bearable. In short, Laurel is a beautiful person and a wonderful doula and I highly recommend her!
Julie Cadet
Laurel was my birth doula for my first child Miles. She came into our lives at a time of great change and flux and was able to immediately reassure us that everything would be more than just ok! She empowered both my husband and I to birth our baby without fear and with great confidence. Laurel offered her exceptional presence and commitment through the pre-natal, birth and post-natal phases and all while giving us the space we needed to find our way as new parents. Her wealth of knowledge, the information she shared with us and her time and support helped us take decisions through the whole process that we are so happy to look back on today. It is a privilege to be able to look back at the birth of our son and feel nothing but joy and no regrets whatsoever. She made the birth of our first child a wonderful experience.
Caitlin
Laurel Tidman was the doula who helped us bring our daughter into this world. My husband and I were very satisfied with the help and support we received.
It was important for us to have a doula with whom we felt comfortable on a personal level - after all, birthing process is such an intimate event. We met a few doulas but it was Laurel with whom we felt the most at ease. Laurel is very knowledgeable, resourceful, soft and non-intrusive.
She was always present and helpful during the delivery but at the same time she let me and my husband have the space we needed for being together and experience the birth. The hospital setting is very impersonal and cold. You feel surrounded by medical staff who have their own procedures and protocols to follow and are not necessarily very eager to listen or accommodate your preferences. Laurel’s presence made the experience much more comfortable; we felt we were not alone...
She was of great assistance before, during and after the birth. I already mentioned and recommended Laurel to a few of my pregnant friends. She is great!
Irina
Before meeting with Laurel we had met with three other doulas. Only Laurel had the great, kind and calm energy that we were looking for in a doula. Laurel was very accommodating; she agreed to come to our house for the prenatal meetings even though we lived quite far. She supported us throughout the whole process till delivery and beyond. During delivery Laurel’s support was huge. She massaged me during my every contraction, found right techniques and words to help me overcome my pain. My husband also appreciated her support; they worked as a team through that difficult night. We did not hear or feel a single complaint from her just her calm, warm guidance. After what we went through, Laurel became our friend and if we decide to have a second child she would be our doula again!
Daniel, Vira and Vlad
Laurel helped us welcome our first baby. She was not only our doula providing us with knowledge, expertise and support, she was a true friend. We felt much more confident and at ease with her by our side during labor and delivery. Her presence was a balance of allowing us personal time as a couple and assisting when we needed extra help. Her care and positivity helped carry us through when our baby needed extra medical attention. We love that Laurel is a big part of our baby story.
Mariah & Matt
