About Us: Our History

Bev Enns, CD(DONA), BA

My interest in pregnancy and childbirth began when my friends invited me to attend the homebirth of their 3rd child. I found their birth to be one of the most amazing and beautiful experiences I have ever had. I knew that I wanted to learn more about how I could support women and their families through their birth experience and support them along their journey to parenthood. After many discussions with various Doulas around Manitoba, I discovered this was something I wanted to pursue. I officially joined Birth Roots team in September 2008 and feel privileged to work together with such an incredibly knowledgeable group of women. I truly value the mentorship, support and continued learning that happens at Birth Roots.
I pride myself on listening to you and your concerns and developing a "team work" environment between mom, partner, hospital staff and myself. I will assist you by suggesting various physical comfort measures and offer emotional support but also act as a facilitator for partners who might have concerns about caring for a labouring mother. I hope to take the mother’s and partner’s visions for their birth and help turn it into a reality, with respect to nature and medical interventions.
I am in the process of certifying as a birth Doula through Doulas of North America (DONA) and am currently a member of DONA.
I believe each birth is unique and will teach me something new. The invitation to be present at the birth of a child is always an honor for me. I look forward to working together with families in the future and hope that I can help make their birth experience a beautiful one.
In my spare time, I love to spend time with my family &friends. I also enjoy traveling, running and scrapbooking.

Jeannie Baron, CD(DONA)

When my two children were very young, my husband and I decided to move to Minneapolis. It was there that a friend suggested to me that I train as a doula with DONA, since she knew that I was always begging my friends to let me come to their births with them! I completed my training in the fall of 2006, and became certified in 2008. In Minneapolis, I had the opportunity to work with families of many different ethnicities and religions as well as attend many types of births including homebirths, waterbirths and caesarean sections. I also trained as a childbirth educator and continue to take classes that will expand my knowledge in order to assist my clients more effectively.

I feel very strongly that every expecting mother deserves to have unconditional emotional, physical and spiritual support throughout the pregnancy, especially during labour and delivery. I love to nurture the entire family, knowing that the birthing process is dramatically improved because of that nurturing. I believe that birth is a natural, miraculous process and enjoy helping women’s birth experiences be as comfortable and rewarding as possible.

After moving back to Winnipeg in 2008, I was interested to see the wonderful work that Birth Roots is doing here. I am so excited to be a part of this incredible team!

Susan Toews, CD(DONA), also speaks German

My interest in becoming a labor support person grew after several friends invited me to attend their babies’ births. These experiences were both beautiful and inspiring and I soon realized my desire and ability to assist with the physical and emotional nurturing support moms and their partners need during childbirth. I’m a DONA certified birth Doula and believe all women deserve support. Every birth is unique, powerful and precious and I feel honored to share in these very special moments. My desire and ultimate goal is to help make the birth experience a memory that everyone involved will always cherish. I believe this is obtained firstly through building a great relationship with each mom and her partner. By sharing my knowledge about birth, assisting with comfort measures, and working together with the medical staff we create an incredible experience together.
In my personal time I enjoy gardening, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. My husband and I live in Steinbach; we have 3 adult children, their partners, and 4 wonderful grandchildren. Recently my youngest daughter and her husband requested my services as their doula. I helped with their birth experience and was present for the birth of my newest granddaughter. It was a unique and wonderful experience! Each and every birth journey is incredible and a joy to be a part of!

Tarana Wheelwright, DONA trained

From a young age I have had a great love and appreciation for infants and children. I have a strong belief that a person’s early experiences impacts on the rest of their life journey. At the age of 19, I had the privilege of attending my youngest sister’s birth. Not only did I fall in love with my newest sibling, I fell in love with the miracle of birth. When I found myself pregnant 4 years later, I was single, but fortunate enough to have the strong support of my mom and a dedicated maternity nurse who chose to stay past her shift to see my son born. Once again birth wowed me, and I wondered why this miracle wasn’t front page news? I knew then that one day I wanted to do something to support the birthing female.

Eleven years passed and I once again found myself in the delivery room. This time I filled the room! My mother, my partner, my youngest sister (whose birth I had witnessed) and by his request, my 11 yr old son, Joshua, were all there. Emily made a dramatic entrance into a room filled with love. Despite some challenges and less than ‘perfect’ labour/deliveries, because of the solid support I had at both births, my memories are positive ones.

This is what I want to bring to birth. In 2007 I stumbled across Birth Roots and discovered the word ‘Doula’. I immediately attended a Doula training course through DONA for the express purpose of being able to volunteer at a local home for pregnant women needing support. With every new thing I learn about birth, our bodies and the power of trusting birth, the more amazed I am with this experience all over again. I consider it an honor and a gift to be able to be present and proactively supportive at the beginning of a new life. It’s amazing to watch a person become a parent, to fall in love with their newborn. Currently, I am enrolled at the Massage Therapy College of Manitoba and would love to one day explore midwifery.

Jessica Williams, DONA trained

My journey towards becoming a doula began when I decided to have my first-born babe at home. Through the planning and preparation for this, a new world was opened up to me. The people that stood by me during this time were invaluable - and my daughter was born in a little bedroom full of skilled and loving people cheering me on. I now know that the support of others gave me the strength I needed to bring her into the world.

Prior to the birth of my daughter, my husband and I lived and worked in a remote village in Malawi, Africa for three years. We came home only for her birth, and one month after her birth we were back. Malawi was home. I loved the different ways that we were able to serve and support people in a developing country but after having a baby my heart began to move towards helping women through pregnancy, birth, and new motherhood. I stood by my Malawian friends as they went through their pregnancies and faced all the challenges that arose from living in such harsh conditions. We plotted together on how to stay healthy as a mom and to keep these little babies healthy too.

Before my daughter was a year old our family took a sabbatical year (which turned into 18 months to acommadate the birth of our second-born) in Winnipeg. It was after the birth of my son that I realized/acknowledged my desire to gain knowledge in midwifery to support women in Malawi. When we returned to Malawi I found myself returning with a new purpose. As soon as I could I found the nearest rural clinic with a skilled midwife and offered to volunteer. With two little ones at home, my time was limited, but two days a week I drove deep into a village and shadowed a lovely African midwife as she cared for the women that could make it to her clinic. This time was precious to me and I learned so much!

Two (very-fast!) years later came our third baby, born in Malawi, and we started to consider moving back to Winnipeg for this next season of life. As I began to process this, the option of being a doula in Winnipeg occured to me and I came back excited to start something new. I have found my place among pregnant mothers to be and it is an honour to be able to stand by and support a woman at such an important time in her life. I feel blessed to have the opportunities here in Canada to gain more knowledge and grow in the field of work that I am drawn to and love.

Linda Thorlakson -CAPPA certified Postpartum Doula, DONA trained birth doula

When I first saw my son I thought he was perfect, and I was surprised by the complete fufillment I felt when I first held him. I found that my life became richer and we went everywhere as a family. The birth of my second child became a scary experience when she needed to come into this world two months early. I quickly became an expert at NICU language, and visits to the hospital became a huge part of our lives. When she came home I realized that the support we recieved from our extended family was the only thing that kept us afloat. Now my son is 6 and my daughter is 2. Both are very healthy, happy kids.

I was the first of my friends to have a baby and knew from my experience that new parents need support. I was always around to lend a hand. One day a friend commented to me, she said that I would be a good postpartum doula. That sparked my interest in becoming a postpartum doula. I realized that I had already been filling that role for my friends as they were bringing home their babies. I am excited that through the role of postpartum doula I can be a part of the expanding practice of supporting and celebrating women and families in this important stage of life.

I have a degree in English and lingusitics. Have taken courses through Medicine Hat College on Child Development. I also have up to level 7 in American Sign Language, and one year of the Deaf Educational Support course at Medicine Hat College.

Sherri Preun CD(DONA), BMR, PT

My passion regarding birth began in 1999 as I prepared for the arrival of my second child under the care of a midwife. As I learned more about birth through reading (any book that my midwife suggested!) and my own wonderful birth experiences, it became more important for me to pursue education and work involving women and their experience of birth. I knew I wanted to share what I had learned and help other women empower themselves physically, emotionally, and intuitively to prepare for their birth with confidence and trust in their body. My goal is for couples to have a positive birth experience not only by helping them cope with the physical aspects of labour, but also by helping them obtain options and supporting them in their choices for their labour and birth as it unfolds, even as challenges may present themselves. It is always such an honour to be invited to share in a birth and be given an opportunity to touch family’s lives as they prepare for the arrival of their new little one!

I have been a physiotherapist since 1995, so I am comfortable working in a hospital setting. I have also attended physiotherapy and birth-related courses to broaden my knowledge of the pelvic and abdominal regions as well as the intuitive and spiritual aspects of birth. These led me to teach both prenatal and postpartum health classes at a physiotherapy clinic in Winnipeg in 2003-04. In the spring of 2009, after patiently waiting for the right time for my family, I became DONA trained, and immediately began my journey toward certification as a Birth Doula for 2010. I continue to work in physiotherapy on a casual basis at Seven Oaks Hospital and the Wellness Institute.

My husband and I feel blessed to have 4 children, born in 1997, 1999, 2001, and 2006. We love spending time together as a family, especially camping in the summer and skiing in the winter. Our goal is to raise compassionate and responsible little citizens...so far, so good!

Angela Maes CD(DONA), CLD(CAPPA), CHBE, Dip CBEd(CBI), Certified Cesarean/VBAC Support Specialist (OPS )

My husband and I had our first son Jonathan in 1986 and our second son Javan in 1989. I often tell my clients I got to birth the way I wanted two times, now it's their opportunity to experience that wonderful journey in the way they would like to define it.

In 2002 I heard the word Doula for the very first time and was thrilled to hear of what that role would encompass. I began my training as a Doula with MACFE in 2003 and shortly thereafter certified as a labour doula with CAPPA and later also became DONA certified in 2008. In order to assist my clients more fully I became a Certified Happiest Baby Educator (CHBE) and received my diploma in Childbirth Education. Over the past 8 years I have been privileged to witness the birth of not only hundreds of babies, but also the creation of new families, I have valued each as an incredible blessing.

For the past several years I have had the unique privilege to mentor several novice doulas within the birthing community and feel like a very proud parent as I've seen them reach their "Doula potential". My sons and husband affectionately call me "Angdoula", it is an integral part of who I am. I am also thrilled to be teaching the Newborn class out of Birth Roots and being a part of this wonderful group of wise women.

Jill Larner, CD(DONA), LE, also speaks French

My interest in birth began around the same time that I became pregnant with my first child Molly. I immersed myself in all things to do with pregnancy and childbirth. I gave birth to Molly with the support of my own doula Noelle. It was an eye opening experience that made me even more passionate about the need for more support of birthing families. I then took a DONA training and began working with Birth Roots. I have been so lucky to be apart of so many families birth experience through the years.

I am now expecting my second child and with the anticipation of giving birth again I know that I will rely on the love and support that working in a group of doulas brings.

Angela Falk, CD(DONA)

I joined the Birth Roots team in August 2003. My desire to become a doula grew from my interest in midwifery and a love for children. With a background rooted in childcare I began my doula education and certification process. Once my DONA certification was complete my fascination with the impact of birth on a woman and her baby and the many benefits of labour support increased significantly. I was excited to begin supporting new and expanding families through the amazing journey of birth.

In April 2004 I gave birth to my first son Isaac, with Deanna's support. Isaac has brought my husband A.J. and I, incredible joy and laughter. When I returned to work after his birth I began teaching birthing classes, and attending births. In November, 2007 I gave birth at home to my second son Elliot, with Deanna and Courtney's support. Again we were in awe of how we had room in our hearts to love another child so much.

Whether teaching birthing classes or attending births I continue to be blown away by the honour of sharing in one of the most incredible time of people's lives, the preparation and birth of their children.

Sonya Jantz - DONA trained Postpartum Doula, DONA trained Birth Doula

I became fascinated with birth at the age of 13 when I was lucky enough to witness my sister give birth to her daughter at home, attended by a Winnipeg doctor, the only one attending births at home at the time. In university, while taking a women's study course, I did a project on Midwifery. I had the privilege of interviewing a local midwife, Anessa Maize and a woman who gave birth with midwives attending. They inspired me and completely sold me on the idea that for most women, birth was not a medical crisis waiting to happen, but an empowering, joyous celebration. I was still a few years from having children myself, but the seed had been planted, so to speak. When I became pregnant with my first child, I sought out a midwife for my prenatal care and to attend my birth. I had an amazing, life-changing birth experience. I realized how important having a positive pregnancy and birth was in giving me confidence as a mother. My other two children's births were also midwife and doula assisted, the last one in water. I haven't stopped talking about the wonders of waterbirth since!
My birth experiences set me on a path to become more involved in childbirth, as a Doula and advocate. I wanted to help bring change, where women felt they were at the centre and in control of their birth experience in a calm, unrushed setting, surrounded by positive, caring support people. I've been fortunate to volunteer and work in the childbirth community in a variety of roles: Doula, Midwifery consumer rep, MACFE member, Birth Vine co-editor, and on the planning committee for Winnipeg's first Birth Centre.
As a Doula I have learned so much from the families I have worked with, and my perspective on birth, parenting, and life in general, has forever changed by being present for women as they journey through labour, birth and into motherhood.
I am honoured to be part of the Birth Roots team as a postpartum Doula. I feel strongly that women and families need to be cared for, and supported through the postpartum period, and am privileged to be given the opportunity to share in this significant time in the life of a family.
When I'm not advocating for a more holistic approach to birth, or providing support to moms, I find time to enjoy the outdoors, running, reading, cooking and eating good food with friends and family, snuggling up with my kids, and watching movies with my husband with a big bowl of popcorn between us.

Noëlle LaFrenière, CD(DONA), LE, RMT

I have been working with women in the childbearing year for 6 years. I am a DONA certified birth Doula, Lactation Educator, and trained in Remedial Massage Therapy. I have a beautiful family, my husband Rob and our three sons keep me hopping!

One of the reasons I wanted to become a doula was to share in the childbirth experience with women and their families, I wanted to help new families at that magical time where they finally meet their babies.

One of the most important things to me as a doula is to enable new moms to care for and really bond with their babies. I believe that there is no benefit to separation between mom and baby, and I work really hard to keep them together. I believe in the power of skin-to-skin contact, breastfeeding, and in our inherent wisdom as women.

Other than teaching private classes, I spend my time chasing after my sons, knitting diaper pants, (we use cloth!) and spending time in my yard, trying to garden.

Michelle Santschi, CD(DONA), BA

I grew up in Saskatoon, SK, the oldest of 4 sisters. After moving around for a few yrs for schooling, etc. after high school, I ended up in Abbotsford, BC. This is where I met my husband Ryan, whom I married in 2004. This is also where I completed my BA in Counselling and Caregiving, and pastored for a few years at a small community church. In 2006, we moved to Winnipeg.

I have had a keen interest in issues of sexuality and women’s health since I was a teenager. I first became seriously interested in birth after reading the book, "The Red Tent." I began to dream about being a midwife and when we moved to Winnipeg, I became a part of a small circle of women from my church community who were interested and involved in birth work. I was excited to learn about doulas and what they do.

I love being a doula because it involves things that I love to do, like teaching and supporting people. And children - I love children. I also love the variety - every client and every birth is unique. There are always opportunities to learn and grow. I love that I get to be a part of the wonder and beauty of pregnancy and birth. I tear up every time I witness a baby being born! Becoming a doula was something I sort of stumbled upon - something my journey naturally lead to - and I am very glad I did. It's a wonderful job and privilege.

Tara Laba, CD(DONA), LE

My interest in childbirth began with the birth of my niece. After her arrival my interest in pregnancy and birth grew and I continued to educate myself through books and movies. I was then introduced to a midwife and learned about doulas the role they can play in birth and how to become one. I went on to take a local doula training where I met Deanna and Julia. Together we began a truly rewarding and amazing journey together.

Over the years my interest in women’s health has grown and I have been involved in many aspects of support, counselling, and education. Each experience has added to my work with women and their families during the childbearing years.

In 2006 I gave birth to my son Bryce with my husband Richard by my side along with my many doulas. My birth experience was many different things to me. When clients ask what it was like to give birth my answer is always the same. "Birth was exciting, scary, happy, sad, empowering and humbling all at the same time. No matter what your journey is, it is what makes you a mother." I know that the support that I was given parentally, during the birth and in the postpartum period was invaluable through the expected and unexpected moments. I am so lucky to be surrounded by loving supportive women.

I love all the aspects that I am so grateful to be able to provide families and women with the kind of support that I received during my birth experience.

I have also had lots of opportunity to learn about diapering, babywearing, attachment parenting and many more interesting topics because of the birth of my baby Bryce.

Celine Land CD(DONA), CHBE, BA, also speaks french

I have always been drawn to the field of pregnancy, labour and childbirth and at a later age this developed into my desire to become a doula. I graduated from the University of Winnipeg in 2003 with a degree in both Psychology and Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement. In 2008, sensing I needed a change of direction in my life; I trained as a doula with DONA and in October 2008 became a Certified Labour Doula. I am also a Certified Happiest Baby Educator who teaches expecting parents how to help their babies sleep longer and how to soothe their fussy infants in minutes.

I feel blessed to have the knowledge and compassion to help educate women during this very special time in their lives. I take pride in supporting women in every decision that they choose to make in regards to their pregnancy and the birth of their child. I want to help women find their inner strength and to have a joyous and empowering birth that will remain with them always. I love working with pregnant women and experiencing the amazing moments of childbirth as I prepare for my own pregnancy someday soon.

I am very excited to join the Birth Roots team and I look forward to working with such a great group of women as I continue on my doula journey.

Lori Tiessen Bannman, CD(DONA) BTh, BA, CPD(CAPPA)

I am the mother of two children, Naomi and Jordan. I am also married to Jason and we enjoy each new stage that parenting offers. Through my experience as a mother, I learned about colic, baby surgeries, natural health, and the need for full time parents to be more supported. The journey I have taken in finding my passion for birth began in 1999 during my first pregnancy. I became aware of all the information available about health, pregnancy, labour, birth and postpartum and that everyone has a different opinion. I felt that all women should feel supported and be given options so they feel empowered to make their own choices throughout each stage of parenting.

While I was home raising my children, I volunteered at the Windsor Community Centre, worked at the South YMCA and provided childcare for many other children in my home. I also submitted regular articles in the newsletter "The Birth Vine" which is distributed by MACFE. During this time, I attended a few births for family and friends. In 2006, I attended a doula training course which ignited a deep passion for supporting women through this life changing rite of passage. I began attending births for clients in the fall of 2006 and after that year, I felt committed to becoming a full time doula. In April, 2007, after completing a course on Advanced Comfort Measures and attending a Postpartum Doula training I began my training as a Birth Roots Doula in fall 2007. I am now a certifed Birth Doula through DONA and a certified Postpartum Doula through CAPPA.

I have found great satisfaction working as a Birth and Postpartum Doula and have now begun teaching private prenatal classes at Birth Roots. I feel honoured and blessed with my chosen profession and have learned so much from the families I work with. I do maintain other interests in pottery, yoga, gardening, long walks along the river, creative cooking and meandering through the book store.

Tami Tozeland, CD(DONA), CCCE, HBCE, Certified Hypnotherapist (currently not attending births)

When I was pregnant with my first son in 1999 I had never heard of a doula. I couldn’t read enough about pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding. It became my obsession and passion. As I learned about my impending labour I began to have very strong feelings about what I wanted and didn’t want. My husband and I decided to hire a midwife and have a home birth. When my son was born in my bedroom the labour was nothing I expected but I felt so elated at what I had accomplished. I decided that every woman and every family should have the opportunity to be supported and have a good birth experience whatever that looks like for them.

My journey to midwifery started then. When I contacted my midwife about how to go about this she suggested I become a doula first in order to try out the lifestyle of being on call and attending births. I contacted Julia Allen who was just starting up Birth Roots with Tara and Deanna at the time, she invited me to study groups and student midwifery meetings. At the same time I was finishing a Human Ecology degree in Family Studies at the U of M. I took all the nutrition and parenting classes I could, I wrote all my papers and did all my presentations with midwifery content and I graduated in 2004. In June 2003 I interviewed with Birth Roots to become a birth doula with them. Within a year I was teaching prenatal classes and in January 2006 I became a partner with Birth Roots. I became a certified HypnoBirthing instructor in 2007 and love teaching this as an option for women.

In the time I have been attending births with Birth Roots I have enjoyed the mentor style of training as well as the ongoing support the collective offers. I feel it makes me a better doula to have that support behind me. I am now a mentor myself and love watching the excitement and fresh approach of new doulas, they teach me as much as I can teach them. I also take advantage of birth and breastfeeding related training offered in Winnipeg, I am currently working on my lactation educator certification.

In 2004 I remarried and had another son in Sept. 2006. My husband and boys are very supportive of my doula lifestyle and I couldn’t do this work that I love without that support. My midwifery dream stays alive and will be fulfilled in time. Right now I feel so honoured to be able to be with woman and families during their birth experiences in the support role that doulas are known for.

Deanna Momtchilov, CD(DONA), also speaks French (currently not attending births)

I have been very interested in birth related work since I attended my brother's birth when I was 7 1/2 years old. I have never looked back and began pursuing midwifery right out of high school. This pursuit led me to move to Winnipeg from New Brunswick in 1999. My path to midwifery was put on hold here due to lack of education opportunities for students, but I was still able to participate in birth as a doula. I met some wonderful women along the way who shared my passion for birth and together we founded Birth Roots in 2000. I continued to learn and expand my services working as a postpartum doula as well as a childbirth educator. My excitement must be contagious as I have had several friends and family members follow in my footsteps!

I married my best friend, Deyan, in 2001. His support is instrumental in me being able to do this type of work. We have 2 children who are also very patient with mommy’s crazy schedule! Our son Simeon was born at home in 2003 and our daughter Esther was also born at home in 2005. We were honoured both times to be supported by 3 doulas and 2 midwives! They love meeting my clients and hearing how "mommy helped someone have a baby".

In the past 9 years, I have had the privilege of working with so many families. I love seeing how birth transforms women. I have also assisted many families as a postpartum doula. I really enjoy my role as a prenatal instructor and hope to expand my teaching to other types of classes as well. I continue to learn from my clients, other doulas, and other health professionals, as well as taking birth related courses that come along! It continues to fuel my passion to create a positive birth experience for all women, regardless of their circumstances or any unexpected outcomes. I look forward to many more years of supporting women in birth and parenting!