Radiant Birth

Birth Doula in Vancouver

Apart from being a wellness coach, I am a birth doula based in Vancouver, B.C., with two delightful children of my own. I have been attending births for the last 12 years - since just before my first daughter came along.

To me, pregnancy and childbirth is a gift to women, and I take great joy in nurturing women through this special time in their lives. I wish to see mothers-to-be well informed of their choices, emotionally and physically prepared for labour, and well supported in their transition into motherhood.

In addition to my private work with families, I am also a part of the collaborative care team at The South Community Birth Program; an amazing team of physicians, midwives, health nurses and doulas offering maternity care to the underserved community of South Vancouver.

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​My philosophy

I want to help you have an empowered birth.

I believe that when you combine the innate knowledge and strength of your body, with a well-informed mind, a trusting heart, and a capable support team, you cannot help but have a beautifully empowered birthing experience. This experience is different for each woman, and it may well be unlike what you envisioned beforehand. But it can still be beautiful, empowered and transformational.
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As your doula

As a doula, I am trained to provide you with emotional, physical, and informational support before, during, and after the birth of your baby.

​I work alongside any kind of caregiver (doctor, midwife, nurse, obstetrician…) to make your birthing experience as satisfying as possible.

Before

I like to get to know you well in your pregnancy, and for you to feel comfortable having me by your side. I like to meet you at least a couple of times prenatally.

In these visits I aim to:
~ understand the kind of birth you want, and how I can best support you through it
~ prepare you with the information you need to feel mentally ready for birth
~ help reveal the emotional preparation that needs to happen for your journey into parenthood.

I am available by phone anytime you need to talk. I also arrange a back-up doula for any emergency situations where I cannot be at your birth.

​During

When you go into labour, I come over to be with you as early or late as you want me to. I stay with you as long as you need me- at home and /or in the hospital.

I help you cope with labour, and share my skills to make it as short and easy as possible. I am there to hold your hand, or help you find a position that works for you, or bring you back to your breath, or massage your back, or wail loudly with you…or just play photographer as the baby comes out. Each couple needs something different, and I try to find that 'something'.

​I am also there to help you understand your choices as your journey progresses (or if it starts to move away from your birthplan) so you can make informed decisions.

After
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I stay with you for some hours after the birth to help you tidy up and settle in with baby.

I like to visit a couple times in the next weeks and offer help with breastfeeding or any tricky situations. Of course, I am also available to debrief about the birth and discuss any emotional challenges that may have arisen.
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   You always said the perfect thing to me whenever I was feeling discouraged in labour. Your words helped me find my inner strength when I was starting to feel exhausted and depleted. I would never have a baby without a doula"

​-Lindsie

   I can't imagine having gone though the process without your support and guidance. It made labour that much easier"

-Jaskirn

   We strongly believe that your calm and knowledgeable presence made a big difference for us"

-Matt and Eve

My fee

I charge $1150.

I do take a few low-income families a year at a discounted rate. Please ask me for more information if needed. I am also open to payment plans when necessary.

Special Skills

I am a certified Ayurveda Wellness Counselor. I bring my knowledge of natural medicine to my clients when requested. I am trained in relaxation and Ayurvedic oil massage. I also teach simple baby massage. I speak Hindi, and from my travels, have basic Spanish under my belt.

​​Testimonials

   YOU. ARE. AMAZING. From the minute you entered our home I could sense your peaceful, soothing vibes. You put your hands on my back and the pain eased. You have the special touch. I can't imagine getting through the contractions in such a positive way without your pain coping methods. I cannot IMAGINE going through childbirth without you there...we will be calling on you again. Thank you for your support, your intuition, your wisdom, your calming presence and making such great calls during labour. Without you we might have had the baby at home! Your tips post-birth have also been so comforting and reassuring. Thank you for everything you do"

​-Erin

 "Our deepest thanks to you for being such a wonderful and supportive doula, we could not have done it without you! Your calm and caring nature kept our fears at bay and inspired us to keep strong during the stressful moments"

-Kevin and Stephanie

   We felt blessed to have Muneera's calming and grounded presence during and after the birth of our son. Her delicious post-partum comfort food and wonderful Ayurvedic massages were just two of the many unique gifts that Muneera brought to her practice as a doula. We will forever remember Nico's sweet butterball scent after Muneera treated him to his first massage! Muneera enriched our birthing experience and we continue to feel spoiled by her love for our new family"

​- Lee Benstead

   Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! For being there for us during the most intense, surreal, intimate experience of our lives. Your gentle, reassuring hands and support made all the difference. And thank you for being there for Chris and knowing just when to step-in and when to step-back. You have a gift!"

​​- Sandy

" Thank you for guiding us through such a milestone in our lives. We aren't sure we would have gotten through Kiara's birth so smoothly without you. It felt like having a close family member beside me. Thank you doesn't do justice to how you helped us!"

  - Anicia

   I would recommend Muneera in a heartbeat to anyone looking for a doula. She was present for the birth of our second son and both my husband and I have nothing but good to say of her. Muneera is so patient that just being in her presence brings a sense of calmness. She was present every step of the way where I needed her. During the birth, Muneera supported and provided strength through her coaching and actions. As I write this 10 months later, I still clearly recall her words, the firmness in her tone, and the direct eye contact, which all assisted in providing the much needed support and strength. Muneera, you are amazing!"

- Sukhpal Sohi

   Thank you for everything. I will forever be thankful for your help in bringing our most amazing blessing into this world. Thank you for the calm beauty you bring, and thank you for the encouragement: before, during and after. You truly have a gift. We feel so blessed to have shared our birth with you!"

- Leslie Fairbairn

"  From the moment you stepped into our home, you made us feel safe and supported. Your constant presence was a gift and a blessing and I cannot find ways to express what it meant to us. Thank you for your guidance, your love, your peace and presence."
                                   
 - Chris

   Muneera helped me deliver my son at BC Women's Hospital. My husband and I are grateful for her help during my labour. Muneera asked the right questions in advance and was very prepared when my labour started and was progressing quickly. She also provided guidance to my husband so that he could support me the whole way through. This was incredibly valuable to us both. When I started to doubt myself and feel like I couldn't do it, Muneera knew what to say to bring back my confidence. The pictures she took of my husband and I with our new baby are very special to us. I would recommend Muneera to anyone looking for a knowledgable and kind doula who is passionate about helping women and their partners with childbirth"


​- Carolyn Timmins

   Muneera was a true blessing to me following the birth of our second child. She came regularly to give full body Ayurvedic massages which was so amazingly helpful after having a home birth.her knowledge of breastfeeding was appreciated as well during those first few days of getting to know our baby girl. I would totally recommend her to anyone looking for a thoughtful, grounded person to have by your side"

- J.Tatem

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