Florena Birth Perinatal Experts
Toronto, ON
Get in touch
About Florena Birth Perinatal Experts
Bio
My name is Christy, and I have been a birth worker since March 2012. I have worked in Vancouver, Macau, Hong Kong, Philippines, Mexico, Kenya, and am now serving my home base clientele in the Greater Toronto Area. Due to my schooling and experience in midwifery and public health, I have a broad base of knowledge around pregnancy, birth, postpartum and lactation, as well as newborn care. My favourite thing as a birth worker is seeing my clients when they realize their successes after hard work!
Q&A
Q: What locations or areas do you serve?
A: That depends on the service! For birth doula service I like to keep it within a 1hr drive from my home (west end of Toronto) but will consider further away depending on the circumstances. For postpartum, since I'm typically hired for more than one appearance, I like to keep it within 30-40 minutes travel time for myself.
Q: What's your top piece of advice for an expectant mom?
A: I have three bits of advice for expectant parents: eat really well, stay active daily, and labour at home until you're sure you're in active labour. Early arrival at the hospital won't help and may slow down your labour and/or increase your likelihood of having interventions that you didn't plan on.
Q: What are your certifications and trainings?
A: My first certification was as a birth doula, through Childbirth International. Later I certified as a HypnoBirthing Practitioner, and a pre- and postnatal yoga instructor. In 2019 I graduated from Indie Birth Midwifery School. I've attended many conferences and workshops, as well as midwifery internships in various countries.
Q: What drew you into working with parents-to-be?
A: This is a story that deserves more than 350 characters. TL;DR--I have a strong drive to be of service, to uphold justice, and to make a difference in the world. I had two births that were very different from each other that solidified my values for maternity care: be knowledgeable, have integrity, and always centre the family's dignity and wishes.
Q: Are there any specialities in who you serve? (e.g. home birth, VBAC, etc.)
A: Home birth! I have attended ~40 home births and more than 60 more births outside hospitals. I have a knack with VBAC! I am privileged to report that 100% of my VBAC hopeful clients that went into labour at term have had successful and safe vaginal births. I am also very experienced with people with anxiety and/or mood disorders.
Birth doula support
Birth Doulas
Description
*2 prenatal visits @ 2-2.5h each for labour and birth preparation (education and planning)
*On call for birth from 36 wga to 42 wga (or birth).
*unlimited labour support by phone/text and/or in person as the client needs
*unlimited access to my 13 years of experience & knowledge by phone/text/email during business hours, from contract signing to 6 weeks postpartum
*one in-person postpartum visit (2-4h) within 5 days of birth
Pricing Description
Package price: $2500
Deposit to hold place in calendar: 20%
Payment by instalments available if required. Full payment is required by 36 weeks gestation in order to be on call for the birth.
Limited spaces available so early booking is recommended. Some spaces may come available so inquiries after 34 weeks welcome if full payment is an option.
Jumpstart Postpartum & Lactation Support
Postpartum Doulas
Description
The first week of a baby's life is crucial for getting off on the right foot with lactation & breastfeeding. In our society the breastfeeding support and education in the first week is 90% contradictory and confusing. Cut through the noise with daily support from me. This package includes:
*5 daily in-home visits of 5h each to practice feeding your baby at least twice & troubleshoot common issues
*Daily phone/text/email support
Pricing Description
$900 for 25 hours of support to be used within 10 days of arriving home from the hospital with your newborn. **RECOMMENDED: first visit to be used before the fourth day postpartum for best results
Postpartum doula support package
Postpartum Doulas
Description
In-home (or hospital, if needed) support to help with adjusting to life with a newborn. Help can include lactation/baby care/postnatal body care expert advice, light housework like washing dishes/baby bottles, laundry, taking out garbage/recycling, picking up toys & tidying. Caring for newborn while parents rest, including feeding, diapering, soothing, changing clothes, bathing.
Daytime shifts 5h minimum, overnight shifts 8h minimum.
Pricing Description
hourly rate: $42/h for single baby, $50/h twins
Bulk discounts available:
Pay 50h up front: 10% discount ($37.80 or $45/hour)
Pay 100h up front: 15% discount ($35.70 or $42.5/hour)
Pay 200h up front: 20% discount ($34 or $40/hour)
Day shifts are minimum 5h call, night shifts are minimum 8h call. Maximum daily 12h.
Comprehensive in-person private childbirth classes
Birth Classes
Description
A 5-class, individualized, childbirth education and birth preparation series, available in person or on zoom! Topics included are what you really need to know to rock your birthing experience:
Class 1: The Physics, Metaphysics, and Physiology of Labour
Class 2: Birth is 80% Mental and 20% Physical
Class 3: Labour and Birth Choices
Class 4: Communication and Relationships
Class 5: Lactation, Early Postpartum and Beyond
Pricing Description
$800 for private class series in your home (GTA only)
$400 for private real-time class series on zoom
$200/ea for a la carte classes in your home (GTA only)
$200 for prerecorded class series (to be released soon)
Cierre de caderas
Massage and Spa
Description
Restorative ritual based on the Mexican tradition passed to me from Indigenous parteras (midwives) in Michoacán, Mexico. The ritual includes:
*a womb steaming (can sub herbal bath) (30-45 minutes)
*deep listening & integration of the birth & postpartum experience (concurrent with steaming/bath)
*full body massage & womb centering (45-60 mins)
*full body binding ritual--the subject's body is wrapped tightly in traditional rebozos (30 mins)
Pricing Description
$250
To be delivered in the client's home, minimum 30 days after birth.
Can be applied to any person that wants to commemorate the end/beginning of a cycle (ie. menarche, menopause, marriage, divorce, career change, etc)
