Hi, my name is Shea and I'm the person behind Open Arms Doula. My first experience with birth was at a very young age; my sister was born in our home when I was 9. I remember watching the midwife and thinking wow, I want to do this when I grow up. As an adult, I graduated from a 3000 hour clinical massage therapy program in 2018 and went on to work in a prenatal massage clinic. I worked with a lot of pregnant women and began thinking about birth work again. I realized that my heart lies more in a support role and looked into becoming a birth doula. Over the next few years I jumped right in, taking training in any and everything. I started with Birth Doula training, followed by a When Survivors Give Birth seminar, becoming an LCCE (Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator) and my Postpartum Doula training. I love learning and I don't see myself slowing anytime soon. I've been working with Calgary families since early 2019 and am incredibly passionate about ensuring that families have all of the support and evidence based information that they need to have a positive birth and postpartum experience.