-ROBERT MUNSCH
ABOUT ME!
My name is Elizabeth Upton, and I am a birth doula working in Victoria B.C, Canada.
I became a birth doula in 2014, and it has been such an amazing journey so far. My focus while being your doula is to help you feel confident and strong, and to lend my experience and expertise to your birth, whether it is at the hospital, a birthing centre, or at home. I have 3 wonderful children, and each of their births were very different, giving me a wide personal range of knowledge to use, alongside my practical training I have completed to become a birth doula.
My job is to make sure you and baby are off to a good start on your journey together!
“So what is it you do, anyways?”
Support for your entire birth
My job is to be there from the start of labour, and stay with you until several hours after the birth of your baby. There is no time limit on this! Especially if this is your first baby, often your body will have a time-frame of its own. That’s ok! If it means spending a night with you while you work through the first part of labour, that is what I am here for. I can also provide some pain relieving massage techniques, as well as coach partners on how to best help during labour. Once your baby is born, I will stay with you until you are all settled in (wherever that may be) and help you feel comfortable. I won’t leave until you are ready for me to!
Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding, Bottles, and Pumping!
If breastfeeding/chestfeeding is a route you would like to try, but are having trouble getting the hang of it, basic lactation assistance is included in your doula care package. If a more in-depth lactation consultation is needed, I can provide names for professionals who can help you best. If you are hoping to partially or exclusively pump, I can help get things set up and make sure you have what you need for success! I can also recommend various types of formula to suit your family best if that is your chosen feeding method, as well as cover best bottle use practices, as well as cleaning routines.
Calming Presence, Knowledgeable
Sometimes in stressful and big situations, even when nothing is wrong, we just need someone who can take some deep breaths with us, and remind us that what is happening is normal, and natural. Having a doula at your birth is wonderful for many reasons of course, but one good reason is that I can be the on-site answer key to any questions that may come up in the moment. “Should we go to the hospital now?” “My water broke, and it doesn't look quite right. What am I supposed to do again?” “I forget where we are supposed to go once we get to the hospital!” When things are feeling out of control, I can help bring back a sense of calm, and help you get to the finish line. My hope is to have you remember your birth as the miracle that it is!
What I don’t do, as your Doula.
It is important to note that I am not a medical professional, and am strictly there as emotional support and well-being only. I do not perform exams/blood pressure checks/fetal monitoring. It is generally not my job to talk for you to your health care provider or nurse, instead helping you to communicate your needs. I will never share personal stories or information about your birth without your express permission. Lastly, I don’t come to your birth with biases, whether that is preferring a vaginal birth to a c-section, or an unmedicated birth to a medicated one. Think of me as a blank sheet!
I am there to help you achieve your vision for how you want your birth to go, and help you manage changes that may happen along the way. This is your special moment, I am just a helper.
Contact me for a meeting!
You are welcome to meet with me in person or via Zoom to assess whether we are a good fit, free of charge! After that, if you decide to take me on as your doula, we will meet 2-3 times before your birth, and 2-3 times postpartum. Send an email my way, and we will set up a time to talk!
PRICING:
Fee for my services as a birth doula - $1500
This includes:
Your pre-natal visits
Your entire birth
Your post-natal visits
Text/call availability anytime
Any breastfeeding consultation needed
I also offer a mini spa treatment, if you go over your due date, and some home-made soup of your choosing after your baby has arrived!
Please contact me if finances are an issue.
elizabethuptondoula@gmail.com
Victoria, BC
Testimonials
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As this was my first pregnancy, I didn’t know much about what doulas offered or how they would fit into the labour and birth process. We knew shortly after our first conversation with Liz, that we wanted her to be part of our pregnancy, labour, birth, and postpartum journey. Her presence never felt imposing, and it was always comfortable to be around her. Liz provided multiple visits during the third trimester where she got to know us, learned about our preferences for our labour and birth, and went over some labouring positions. When my due date passed, she came over and treated me to a lovely little hand and foot massage. I sent her a text after my waters broke during an acupuncture treatment. As contractions started, she came over to support us with what we needed at the time which included moral support, massage, and reminders to hydrate and eat. She helped with distractions by watching British comedy shows with us and sharing personal stories. Having her be a part of our space felt like a warm blanket. After laboring on and off at home for a day and a half, I decided to make the trip to the VGH to be induced. Liz brought her candles along and created a gentle and calming ambience to the otherwise sterile hospital room. She was involved, but never in the way. Together, Liz, my partner and I spent the next 21 hours working through contractions until I gave birth to my son. She documented the entire labour and birth story by making notes on her cellphone which was so helpful for me to remember what happened later on. The photos she took of me and my baby during the golden hour postpartum are still by far my favorite. If we were to have another child, Liz would 100% be a part of our journey again. I would strongly recommend Liz to other pregnant women who are interested in hiring a doula.
Devin
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From our first interaction, Liz set herself apart as an exceptional doula. Her quick and attentive responses to our calls and texts gave us comfort and confidence in her commitment. Liz's willingness to be by our side at a moment's notice, making house visits whenever we needed her support, was beyond what we could ever hoped for. During early labor, Liz was the first to arrive our house. From the moment contractions began, she was there, bringing comfort and calm with her pain management techniques. Her presence was not just a source of emotional support; she played a crucial role in ensuring our voices were heard, effectively helping us communicate with our midwife and advocating for our needs. Liz's familiarity with the hospital also proved invaluable, guiding us seamlessly through the hospital hallways to where we needed to be. When faced with the unexpected delay of the epidural, her presence and care were the reassurances we needed to endure the long hours. Liz was with us every step of the way during labor. She even helped guide the nurses, suggesting different birthing positions. She also captured the precious moments of our baby's first arrival in beautiful photos and videos. Her commitment didn't end with the birth; the postpartum visits with homemade soup and her ever-present support through calls and texts, were a testament to her passion and dedication. Liz was there to guide us through the challenging first couple of weeks at home, offering advice on everything from burping the baby to breastfeeding. We are eternally grateful for Liz's support, guidance, and heartfelt care. Her involvement made our journey into parenthood not just manageable, but a cherished experience. We could not have done this without Liz. We are looking forward to having Liz by our side for our next adventure into parenthood. For anyone seeking a doula who is responsive, knowledgeable, and dedicated, we cannot recommend Liz highly enough!
Chen and Hao
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We worked with Liz for the birth of our daughter in May 2024. Liz is a truly special person who exudes a loving and calming presence. She is incredibly generous with her time + expertise. Her visits during pregnancy left me feeling at ease about whatever I was going through, and more excited for the birth. With gestational diabetes, I was in a high risk pregnancy category, and with that came a lot of medical attention, procedures, and plans. It was overwhelming. When I was able to talk through things with Liz, my anxiety around it all was greatly eased. Liz was easy to reach via call or text. When it was time for my daughter to be born, we kept her updated throughout our induction process and she met us at the hospital when we needed her support as labour was ramping up. She went above and beyond, stopping on the way to pick up cake at my request as I wanted to have it after the birth. Liz also brought ambient lighting to make the room more cosy, and wrote encouraging post-it notes to stick on the walls. She offered so much support to me and my partner. I remember Liz saying encouraging things like "halfway there, almost done" as she timed my contractions, which was hugely helpful for my mindset. She also provided counter pressure and coached me through different birthing positions as needed. When our medical team struggled to get a catheter in at one point, Liz reassured me that my bladder wouldn't explode during birth if it didn't work. ;) No question was too silly for her. Liz's presence was crucial to what ended up being a very positive and empowering birth experience for me. I'm forever greatful. After the birth, Liz helped us with initial breastfeeding and came by our home several times to check in and offer her support. Spending time with her before, during, and after our daughter's birth was one of the major highlights of our journey as first time parents. Thank you, Liz, for everything.
Sarah
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We are absolutely thrilled to share our experience with Elizabeth (Liz), our wonderful doula for the birth of our first child in April 2024. From the moment we met her, her calming presence made a significant difference. She was incredibly knowledgeable and always offered guidance without any judgment. Liz took the time to understand not only what we wanted but also what we needed to navigate through our first labor experience. Liz was remarkably responsive, answering our messages within minutes and always being available whenever we needed her. Her kindness shone through in every interaction, and the debriefing session we had with her after the birth was invaluable. She even recorded our birth story, providing us with a precious keepsake. Throughout our last trimester, the birth, and the first few weeks postpartum, Liz was a consistent and reassuring presence. She balanced the information from our doctors perfectly, offering us a comprehensive view of what to expect and what we were currently going through. We couldn't have asked for a better support during this important time in our lives. Thank you, Liz!
Kira and Devin
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I cannot imagine my birth experience without Liz. From the moment she arrived I felt held and cared for. She ensured that I had sips of ice water/gatorade, suggested positions to labour in, set the lighting with candles and twinkle lights. She protected my birthing space with a calm assuredness that made me feel so safe. Whenever something came up she was by my side to talk things through and offer reassurances. She cheered me on and offered physical comforts like counter pressure and cold cloths. Her familiarity with the delivery ward at Vic Gen was so helpful, where to find things, where to walk when labouring, and who to ask for things. She was also an amazing support to my partner, ensuring he stayed hydrated and had a chance to eat, giving him tips and guidance on how to best support me. We will truly never ever forget her, and will forever be grateful for her presence during such a sacred moment in time. If we decide to have another child one day she will be our first call! Thank you Liz!!!
Lindsay H.
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As a first time mom with no idea what I was getting myself into, Liz was such an amazing person to have in my corner. Her presence is calm, uplifting and incredibly reassuring. I am so grateful to have had her at our side. One of my favourite qualities of hers is her ability to take cues from us and ask the right questions (at the right time) to ensure she is supporting us how we need. It can be hard to know ahead of time what you will want during labour but Liz read us perfectly. I can't imagine how much more challenging the whole process would have been without her knowledge, her kindness and her humour. Not to mention all the thoughtful details. I have so much love for this women. I cannot recommend her highly enough!
Taryn B.
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We can't say enough great things about Liz. She was actually our backup doula and the first time we met her was when she arrived at our house at 1am while we were already in active labor! We were wondering how everything would go with someone we hadn't met, but we couldn't be more pleased. She was immediately calming, helpful, friendly, and professional. She jumped in to help with counter pressure and (very importantly for us) she was wonderful at reading the room, even with people she just met. She wasn't overbearing or prescriptive and very much adapted everything that evening to our comfort levels and preferences. She was there with advice when we needed and knew when to just fade into the background and let us be with each other.
SK and Andrew
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Liz is an absolute angle and I cannot recommend her enough as a doula! I had an extremely fast birth (baby came in under 4.5 hours), which was extremely unexpected and stressful for my husband and I. Liz was my grounding rock and guided me through some very scary moments, and was a huge resource/guiding light for my husband. She held my hand and spoke for me/to me when I couldn’t, and seemed to be able to read my mind in knowing what I needed in each moment before even I knew it - whether that was a cold towel on my back, the right words of encouragement, reminding me to take a sip of water, or a cup of OJ. I can’t find the words to say how much she helped me in the hard moments; I credit Liz for the reason I was able to get through the experience, process it, and come to peace with how it all played out. Her calm demeanour was incredible throughout the birth and after delivery when she made sure we were all set up with what we needed. We are forever grateful we had Liz with us throughout this journey, we truly couldn't have done it without her!
Andrea Z.
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We are so grateful to have had Liz as our doula. Although our planned homebirth ended up shifting to a hospital birth, Liz’s presence made all the difference. From start to finish, she was a steady, reassuring, and grounding support. Even when our plans changed, I never felt scared—Liz helped us stay calm, informed, and empowered through it all. She advocated for our birth preferences with compassion and confidence, and offered the perfect mix of encouragement, reassurance, and humour when things got intense. I truly believe our birth experience was 100 times better because of her. If you're thinking about hiring a doula—do it. And if you have the chance to work with Liz, you are in the very best hands. We couldn’t have done it without her!
Kasia
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