Vanessa Mack - Doula

03/06/2026

Big respect for this woman. Bringing vital midwifery care to life in our community over the last many many years ♥️

For nearly three decades, Joanna Norman has walked alongside families during some of the most profound moments of their lives.

03/02/2026

February, you were wild.

With Kayla off work, I had seven due dates on the calendar. At least one sick kid all month long. Many rescheduled work days. Closed daycares. Cleaning, purging, and prepping our home to sell.

It was full. It was stretching.

But we made it.

• Seven beautiful babies welcomed into the world.
• Classes taught. Groups hosted. Families supported.
• Somehow, I avoided all the germs and didn’t get sick.
• I’m not burnt out.
• And… we sold our house!

What February reminded me is this: I know I was made for this work.

Supporting families in pregnancy, birth, and those early newborn days fills my cup… even in the busiest seasons.

March, let’s go.

02/26/2026

…Continued…

During labour, I unfortunately don’t remember much but my partner said he or I wouldn’t have been able to get through without Vanessa. She was exactly what we both needed; comfort and full of knowledge. Sometimes all you need is the
“this is normal” “this is okay”. Because of her we felt immense amount of support during the most vulnerable time of our lives. My partner is now very passionate about doula services and makes sure to tell everyone he knows “you need a doula and we will never do birth without her”.

Postpartum, Vanessa was there through all the hard and good moments. Again, a text away for me and my partner. The reassurance and support we didn’t know we needed. Offering so many different ways she could help and knowing we had so many options of support was something we will never ever take for granted.
Birth matters as a whole, I owe my postpartum experience too. Their classes and groups | look forward to every month. Their classroom has become my comfort, and I’m so grateful to be building my village there.

We will forever scream from the roof tops “get the doula” and we cannot wait to have Vanessa apart of our family forever.

-Jenna

💚 Thank You 💚

02/18/2026

Like the calendar is always full… but it also always has to be a little bit empty… ya know.

02/10/2026

Fan ✅
Water cup ✅
Cool cloth ✅
Bucket (just in case) ✅

& supportive team ✅✅

📸 shared with permission

doula

01/20/2026

Continued….

During the actual labour and birth, Vanessa was immensely supportive. We couldn’t have done it without her. She was professional throughout and offered support and advice in a non-judgmental way. She continuously reminded me to advocate for myself and it was so good to have her and her wealth of experience in our corner. We ended up having a very long labour and Vanessa was there for us the entire time. She knew how to help us at every step without us having to say anything. I felt supported before, during, and after birth and we can’t thank her enough for that. Vanessa is truly amazing at what she does and I would highly recommend her to anyone for doula services. And the pictures that she took throughout the birth were just the icing on top of the cake!

Thank you, Emily 💚

01/19/2026

So happy to be welcoming this gem to our Birth Matters Team. So excited to see all the love and support you bring to our postpartum clients!

Birth Matters Doula Care, Birth Photography & Prenatal Classes

The Birth Matters Team is excited to introduce our newest member: Fully certified Postpartum Doula, Kristin Rhynolds.

Kristin’s passion for postpartum and perinatal support is deeply rooted in both her professional training and her own lived experience. After moving to Kamloops from Alberta 15 years ago to complete her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, she quickly fell in love with the beauty of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc land, the community, and (as it turns out) her now husband of 10 years.

Kristin is currently completing her Master of Counselling and hopes to continue working in the fertility and perinatal mental health field. Her own fertility and perinatal mental health journey profoundly shaped her path, sparking a deep commitment to walking alongside families during one of the most vulnerable and transformative seasons of life.

With a warm, client-centred approach, Kristin is passionate about creating inclusive, welcoming, and emotionally safe spaces for all families. She values genuine connection and believes every individual’s story, background, and experience deserves to be heard and honoured. Her work is grounded in compassion, curiosity, and respect by meeting families exactly where they are at.

Kristin is also currently working as a substance use counsellor supporting youth in the community, a role that has further strengthened her dedication to mental health advocacy and inclusive care. She is nurturing by nature and finds joy in the small, meaningful acts of care such as dropping off meals, helping out with household tasks, babysitting, or simply sitting together with a warm cup of coffee and a listening ear.

Kristin and her husband have built their life in Kamloops and are raising their energetic four-year-old son alongside a very enthusiastic (and slightly chaotic) dog. When she’s not working, studying, or spending time with her family, you’ll most likely find her curled up with a good suspense/ psychological thriller novel with a cup of coffee in hand.

For Kristin, postpartum work is more than support—it’s about presence, connection, and gently walking beside families as they navigate this tender and significant transition.

01/15/2026

Thank you, Zoe 💚

01/15/2026

01/12/2026

This Too Shall Pass

When I was in it - I thought pregnancy would go on forever.

I thought the sleepless nights would go on forever.

I thought the toddler tantrums would go on forever and ever after that.

But now I’m out of it- I can look back knowing that it was all temporary.

Now that I’m out of it - facing new temporary stages of something else with a baby who is nowhere near as small as what seems like only yesterday, I know how fast it really goes.

And that’s a feeling that will last forever.

- Emma Heaphy