Practitioners

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Shannon StarkShannon Stark – Labour Support, Lactation Support, Educator
I am in the fortunate position to be able to say that I absolutely love what I do! I have worked with many families over the last several years as a childbirth educator, lactation support and labour support, and continue to upgrade my skills and knowledge yearly. I am passionate about birth, empowerment and support for families, and truly want couples to know that they have a choice in their birth! I am happily married to a wonderful man and we have three children. With three very different birth experiences, I feel I can add insight and support to any situation. I look forward to meeting you and sharing the miracle of pregnancy and birth with your family! With much love, Shannon

Kristi WaunKristi Waun – Labour Support, Lactation Support, Educator
I have worked with families in the field of support for many years now. I am a Registered Massage Therapist with a passion for birth, breastfeeding and a good postpartum experience. I teach classes on dealing with pregnancy loss called Mark the Moment, which helps families cope with loss at any stage in their childbearing years. I continue upgrading my education each year in this field because of my passion for it! I am happily married with a young son and would love to meet with you and support, empower and educate you in your journey to becoming a parent! With much love, Kristi

Julie Thomson Karen Ruby – Labour Support, Lactation Support, Educator and Registered Nurse
For the past 20 years I have worked with families in many settings as a Registered Nurse. My experiences include General Surgery, Family Medicine and Clinical Research. However, since I was a little girl I have been fascinated by pregnancy, birth, babies and breast feeding. I am so excited to now be working were I have a true passion. I have been happily married for over 20 years and have three teenagers. To be able to support, empower and share with families in their birth journeys is a unique and rewarding experience. Karen

Allison LukstsAllison Luksts – Labour Support, Educator, Registered Massage Therapist
My interest in the miracle of birth was sparked at the age of 14, when I witnessed my own brother being born. At 23 I became pregnant with my daughter, and learned as much as I could about birth. I was truly humbled by my experience, and blessed with a healthy baby. At the same time, I felt completely blind sided by all that transpired. How could I have learned so much, and yet not been prepared? After completing my education in massage therapy, I furthered my training in prenatal massage, and completed my certification for labour support. I began to learn more about the true nature of birthing babies, the necessary empowerment of mothers, and the age old traditions that have long been pushed aside by so many medical professionals. This strengthened my resolve to help other women realize their ability to become mothers on their own terms. I have been honoured to stand beside many women in this journey, and I am inspired by every experience. The miracle of birth is amazing to witness, but even more amazing is the strength and pride that shines in the eyes of every woman who brings a new life into the world knowing that she did it, just how she knew she could. With much love, Allison

Tracey PetticrewTracey Petticrew – Labour Support, Lactation Support, Educator Since the birth of my daughter four years ago I have been searching for the right path to allow me the chance to walk along side women through their journey of conception, pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and beyond. I know in my heart that the highs and lows, triumphs and losses, along this path impact and shape all aspects of our lives and the lives of our children. I am ecstatic to be a part of the Babies Naturally team. It is a privilege to work with a group of women who believe in the power of a woman’s body and the consciousness of our children, both in utero and beyond. I have spent many years working with children and youth in a variety of fields including social work, and education. I worked closely with children who were in foster care. These children were broken and neglected. It was so clear to me that what they needed was love. Unfortunately it was a love I could never provide…they needed the love of their Mother and Father. I was awakening to the reality that the first years really do lay the foundation for a child’s future. I continued my education and attained my Masters of Education. I taught elementary school and fell in love with the career! A few years later our beautiful daughter was conceived, and I chose to leave teaching and stay home with my girl! In hind site, I believe my career choices, and personal life lessons have ignited a fire that led me to this new path. I know that working with you and your growing family is an opportunity for me to continue my life long education. Each and every woman I have met has taught me something and shared a part of themselves. It is an honour to be here with you. With much love, Tracey

Pauline CunninghamPauline Cunningham – Labour Support, Lactation Support, Educator
I am a very lucky mum of two amazing children and happily married to a wonderful husband and father. I was fortunate to experience two beautiful, un-medicated natural births by being educated about the options that were available to me and I hope that I can do the same for you. I have a passion for all things related to pregnancy, labour and birth and I look forward to sharing my passion. Recently trained by Carol Peat, I have become a certified Perinatal Support Practitioner and I’m excited to be able to help women become more aware of the options that are available to them, through teaching Conscious Birth Classes and offering Labour Support and Breastfeeding Support. With much love, Pauline

StephanieStephanie Stewart – Labour Support, Lactation Support, Educator, Registered Nurse
I am happily married to my wonderful husband and father of our beautiful baby girl. I have been a Registered Nurse for 8 years and have always had a fascination and passion for pregnancy and birth since I was a young child. Being a Nurse and learning about pregnancy and childbirth from the medical side of things, I felt I was well prepared for what my pregnancy and birth would bring. Unfortunately, I ended up having an extremely different birth than I ever imagined and it was not the experience that I had dreamed of. This made me want to learn more about what birth is supposed to be like, and to try to gain something positive out of my experience. I met Carol Peat by “chance” and she changed my life by offering me the opportunity to become a Perinatal Support Practitioner. I jumped all over this opportunity as I felt it was a way to not only understand why my birth had gone so wrong, but to also make sure it doesn’t happen again and help other women achieve the birth that they want. Since taking the program with Carol, I have gained such a deep insight into pregnancy and birth and understanding that the body will do what it is meant to do if given the chance. I would love to share those insights with other women and help them achieve the birth experience they long for through support, education, and empowerment. I look forward to meeting some amazing women and taking this wonderful journey with them. With much love, Stephanie