Halton Childbirth Services was born when three experienced Doulas, Nelia, Deb and Shannon, came together to offer holistic childbirth services to families of Halton, Peel and Wellington, Ontario. We saw a need for more than just information. We wanted to help families prepare for parenthood - not just birth!

Shannon Murnaghan, Nelia DeAmaral and Deb Drijber, all Certified Labour Doulas, share a passion for everything to do with birth. It is the combination of their many talents that allows them to provide a multitude of services to women and their partners throughout pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period.

You've probably already discovered that pregnancy and birth are about more than just "having a baby"! Even before baby is born, many women experience tremendous changes mentally, physically and emotionally. Birth is a profound right of passage for women and couples, so one approach just cannot help everyone.

Shannon, Deb and Nelia use multiple tools to assist you through the process of birth!
How will you and your partner embrace the different experiences, choices and emotions that come up during this process?

In addition to solid evidence-based information, our childbirth education classes touch on different support tools including hypnobirthing, relaxation, yoga, meditation and dancing for birth. Whether you are a first time parent or you are a birth alumni, gain wisdom, strength and confidence in your ability to birth your baby, in whatever way your birth plays out.

We help families:

• Prepare  for birth and parenthood
• Embrace  the process
• Identify  their choices
• Empower  them with tools and information

"Giving you more than just information - helping you birth with your mind and body!"

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• Prenatal Classes in Georgetown and Milton (see below)
• Labour and Birth Doula Support by a Certified Labour Doula
• Postpartum Doula support for new mothers and infant care
• Breastfeeding Education, Support and Guidance
• Prenatal Yoga, Birth Meditation and Relaxation Classes
• Mom and Baby Yoga
• Dancing for Birth
• Referral to community resources and information.

At Halton Childbirth Services, we have supported hundreds of women and families during their pregnancy, birth and postpartum period.

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Shannon Murnaghan   (CLD)
I am a Certified Labour Doula, an Ontario Certified Teacher and a volunteer with the Halton Breastfeeding Connection. My love of life, nature, education and the power of birth are four reasons why working in the field of childbirth is a passion of mine. I love the power of birth. I have had four wonderful experiences myself surrendering to that power. I love nature. I believe in honoring the natural wonder of a woman’s body and the natural wonder of pregnancy, labour and birth. I love life. I strongly believe that people are greatly affected by the events in their life. From their own birth to the experience of giving birth, the process can have a profound effect on a person’s physical and emotional well being and on the bond shared between a couple. I want to help babies enter the world as gently as possible. I love being an educator. Education arms people with the tools they need to make informed decisions. Knowledge is power, Birth is Natural and Women are Strong.

Nelia DeAmaral   (CLD)
My daughter often asks me, "Why do you love babies so much mommy?" I can only say that birth continues to amaze me, even after many years as a Doula and almost 14 years as a certified yoga teacher specializing in prenatal and postpartum Birth With Yoga classes. Although I do love babies, my greater passion is supporting women through this incredible right of passage. I have a special interest in the emotional adjustments to motherhood and have spent years working with women with depression and anxiety through my own practice and as a Coordinator for the Peel Postpartum Family Support line. My highest priority is to support each family by being present in a calming, nurturing way that they can rely on throughout the process.

Deb Drijber   (BScN, RN, CPD, CLD, CCCE, CLE)
I have always worked with families; first as a Registered Nurse in Pediatrics and now as a Certified Childbirth Educator, Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula and Lactation Educator. I am always in awe to be supporting new mothers and fathers as they go through the pregnancy and birth processes, and as they begin their lives together with their babies. I enjoy helping them see what is important to them, and working together with the parents during their birth experience and at home with their newborn. The parents are grateful for my reassuring presence and I know a doula’s care makes a difference.

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Expecting A Baby?
Upcoming group prenatal classes to prepare new parents (Weekends or Weekly)...


These Childbirth Education sessions will prepare mothers and fathers for labour, birth and the postpartum days. Knowing your options and what you might expect can help you make informed choices in your birth experience.

(Private in-home prenatal education also available)

Topics covered include:

• Common discomforts of last trimester of pregnancy
• Factors which affect birth process
• Signs of onset of labour and pre-term labour
• Normal course of labour
• Comfort and support techniques in childbirth
• Alternative pain relief and relaxation methods
• Hospital procedures and medication, informed consent, and your childbirth choices
• Pregnancy, postpartum and newborn warning signs
• Variations in childbirth, interventions and caesarean birth
• Postpartum care for new mother and concerns of parents
• Breastfeeding and infant care

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