When you need experience

What was once a simple process of pregnancy, birth, and babies amongst family, midwives, and wise women, has now become a complex set of routines and rituals that speak of unending risks, dangers, tests, interventions, and an expectation of obedience or else be prepared for a dire outcome.
Is anyone having a good birth anymore?

Rules, regulations, and rituals are taking precedence over science, good sense, and individualised care. How do you know if a recommendation is right for you? How risky is your particular situation?

Talking to an elder can help you sort through the fear, coercion, predictions of doom and figure out what’s happening in your particular situation. Time with Mother Billie will give you the opportunity to discover new information, identify more options, and develop strategies for reclaiming sovereignty over your body and your baby so that your decisions make sense.

I am immensely grateful for the invaluable support and guidance provided by Billie during a time of uncertainty and concern. As a first-time expectant mother facing the news of a recommendation for induction due to a calcified placenta, I felt overwhelmed and desperately sought clarity amidst conflicting advice from medical professionals. I reached out to Billie and within a day, she not only lent me a compassionate ear, but also provided me with research and information that empowered me to navigate my options with confidence. Through her guidance, I felt empowered to advocate for myself and my baby, knowing that my instincts were supported by evidence and informed advice. I can't thank her enough for her support and guidance! ~ Maheela

Things I like to talk about

PREPARING FOR PREGNANCY

  • fertility awareness

  • nutrition and supplements

  • overcoming a previous traumatic experience

  • planning a VBAC

  • exploring options for a non-traumatic-experience

  • making sense of a previous experience (induction, gestational diabetes, GBS, preeclampsia, failure to progress, haemorrhage, caesarean, breastfeeding problems, postpartum depression)

PREGNANCY CONCERNS

  • figuring out your guess date

  • nausea, nutrition, supplements, and more

  • pregnancy testing: the low down on ultrasound, diabetes, group B strep, genetic testing

  • Rh negative and Rhogam/WinRho

  • preeclampsia, research and results

  • preventing and resolving group B strep - beyond antibiotics

  • diabetes in pregnancy, type 1, type 2, insulin resistance, and gestational

  • hypertension in pregnancy (high blood pressure)

  • VBAC, HBAC, repeat caesareans, more than one surgery

  • breech presentation

  • water breaking before labour

  • post dates and induction

  • calcium deposits on the placenta and induction

  • big baby and induction

  • low fluid and induction

  • high blood pressure and induction

  • dealing with a bullying/coercive care provider

  • preparing for an unassisted birth

  • coping with pain

  • the hormonal and physical process of birth and how to make it work for you

  • preventing perineal tearing

  • birthing your placenta

  • preventing and addressing postpartum haemorrhage - beyond the shot of pit

  • registering your unassisted baby’s birth as a citizen (Ontario)

AFTER THE BABY ARRIVES

  • breastfeeding issues, nipple pain, slow weight gain, overactive let down, pumping, breast refusal

  • newborn sleep

  • postpartum pain and bleeding

  • postpartum PTSD

  • pelvic floor health

  • postpartum sex

  • adjusting to parenthood

  • unpacking what happened and why

FOR MATERNITY PROFESSIONALS

  • risks and recovery for burnout specific each to doulas, midwives, & nurses

  • trauma informed skills for your role & workplace

  • recognising vicarious trauma in self & others

  • strategies for recovery from burnout & vicarious trauma

  • options for transitioning to working outside the system

  • debriefs for experiences you don’t want to share with colleagues or peer review

Several weeks after birth, I experienced some medical abnormalities that didn’t fit any textbook description. After undergoing several inconclusive tests and meeting with different doctors who were just as confused about everything as I was, I arranged a postpartum conversation with Billie. I was completely blown away by this experience. She understood exactly what was going on with my body and she knew how to integrate the physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual dimensions of the postpartum period to allow true healing to happen. ~ Caroline, Registered Nurse, Canada

At about 36 weeks along I knew I didn’t want my midwives to attend my homebirth. Throughout my whole pregnancy they continued to tell me how they hardly ever attended homebirths and that I wasn’t their “typical” demographic. I knew something had to change. I had heard about Billie and decided to have an elder-talk with her. I had been reading up and educating myself on freebirth/unassisted birth and I thought that this might be my only option at this point. My conversation with Billie was only one hour and it was well worth the investment. I learned so much. She was so full of knowledge and had the answer to every question I asked. If I had met her earlier on in my pregnancy I definitely would have invited her to my birth. She has such a beautiful personality and I felt so held and supported even through our video call. I did end up hiring a Birth worker at 37 weeks along in my pregnancy and Billie gave me the confidence to walk away from my original midwives so late in the game. I will shout Billie's name from the rooftops for whosoever is on their birthing journey! I learned so much on just one phone call so I can only imagine what I would have learned throughout my entire pregnancy journey with her. Follow her, join her community. Book a call. Hire her. You won’t regret it 🤍🤍🤍 ~ Brit, Whitby, Ontario

“In addition to being an amazing and inspiring woman, Billie is a wealth of fact-based information. I learn something valuable from her every time I have the pleasure of seeing her speak. I highly recommend that any woman interested in her health and childbearing spend as much time as possible with this woman!”

— CHRISTINE MCGILLIS