So, what does a doula do?
Doulas play an integral and essential role in providing continuous emotional, physical, and informational support to birthing individuals and their families, ensuring that they feel both empowered and informed throughout the entire process of pregnancy and childbirth.
It is important to note that doulas are NOT medical professionals and do not perform medical tasks.
With a deep understanding of diverse cultural practices and personal preferences, our doulas create a welcoming and accepting environment for all, respecting each individual's unique needs and choices as they navigate this significant life event. Their wealth of experience and extensive knowledge allows them to offer valuable guidance on various labor techniques, effective pain management strategies, and vital postpartum care, all while their compassionate nature fosters a nurturing atmosphere that prioritizes the well-being and comfort of the birthing person.
By choosing a doula who embodies these essential qualities, families can experience a more positive, informed, and personalized birth journey that aligns with their specific values and desires.
You can click the links below to read more about what a doula’s role is.
meet the team
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meet the team *
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Julia Lehtimaki, CEO
Founder | Full Spectrum Doula | Lactation Support | Photographer
I am Julia, a holistic doula dedicated to the art and science of physiologic birth. I operate from the core conviction that birth is a transformative, sacred milestone that deserves to be honored, protected, and normalized within our healthcare systems and communities.
Since completing my DONA training in 2017, I have had the privilege of attending over sixty births within the qathet region. This extensive bedside experience led to the founding of Little Bird Birth Services, which has recently evolved into the qathet Birth Collective—a rebrand designed to meet the sophisticated and growing needs of our local families.
Beyond labor support, my professional toolkit includes:
Lactation Support: Specialized guidance for the postpartum transition and prior La Leche League Leader.
Indigenous Funding Advocacy: Proudly approved by the BCAAFC to provide accessible care through Indigenous funding support.
Holistic Integration: A practice rooted in the "whole-person" model, addressing the physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of wellness.
My practice is built on the foundation of client empowerment. I recognize that birthing individuals possess the inherent wisdom to lead their own care; my role is to provide the evidence-based education and steadfast advocacy necessary to facilitate informed decision-making. Whether at home or in a hospital setting, I foster an environment of safety, respect, and celebration for each family’s unique path.
As a mother of three and a local artist, I am deeply grounded in the rhythm of the qathet regional district. My vision for the qathet Birth Collective is to bridge existing gaps in community care, ensuring that every birthing person has access to their preferred birth experience. I am committed to building a connected network of support characterized by integrity, compassionate relationship-building, and clinical excellence.
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Julia Elliott, COO
Chief Operating Officer | Full Spectrum Doula | Photographer
A lifelong resident of qathet, I returned to my roots to raise my family and dedicate my career to the birthing community. My professional path is driven by a deep-seated commitment to physiologic birth and the belief that, with evidence-based support, birth can be a source of profound empowerment rather than fear. Currently completing my certification through Doula Canada, my practice is built on the pillars of trust, autonomy, and comprehensive education.
My approach to birth work emphasizes the importance of protecting the birthing environment. I advocate for the "undisturbed" birth—a philosophy that prioritizes a person’s ability to labor instinctively, free from unnecessary intervention and external pressure. By fostering a space where clients feel safe to listen to their inner wisdom, I help facilitate a birth process that is intuitive, respected, and deeply transformative.
Specialized Postpartum Support
Recognizing that the transition into parenthood is often underserved, I specialize in both birth and postpartum doula care. My postpartum services are designed to mitigate the isolation and overwhelm often experienced by new parents. I provide high-level, compassionate support, including:
Newborn Care & Feeding Guidance: Practical education for the fourth trimester.
Emotional Integration: Holistic support to process the birth experience and adjust to new family dynamics.
Household Stabilization: Ensuring a calm, restorative environment so families can focus on healing and bonding.
Resilience Building: Providing the "calm presence" necessary for families to thrive during vulnerable transitions.
As a mother of two and an active member of the qathet community, I am passionate about filling vital gaps in local maternal health. My vision is to ensure that every birthing person—regardless of their chosen birth setting—has access to inclusive, accessible, and compassionate care.
I am honored to collaborate with Julia within the qathet Birth Collective, where we work to build a resilient network of support for families across the regional district. When not attending births, I can be found gardening, practicing pottery, or enjoying the natural beauty of our local lakes with my family.
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Ally Winik
Registered Social Worker (RSW), MSW, BSW
Ally is a Registered Social Worker with the BC College of Social Workers (BCCSW), Registration # 16305, currently residing in New Zealand.
Allison holds an Advanced Master of Social Work from the University of British Columbia with a specialization in Health and Social Care and is joining the qathet Birth Collective as a valued resource for counselling and mental health support.Over the past year, Allison has been living and working in New Zealand where she has expanded her expertise in Perinatal Mental Health, gaining direct experience in perinatal counselling and postpartum support. She is deeply passionate about reproductive health, advocacy, and brings a culturally safe, trauma-informed, and person-centered approach to her work. Her counselling practice is rooted in approaches such as attachment theory, Internal Family Systems (Parts Work), and person-centered frameworks, always aiming to meet people where they are with compassion, empathy, and without judgment.
Allison is the owner and founder of Clearwater Counselling & Perinatal Services, a practice dedicated to supporting individuals and couples across British Columbia through the unique challenges of fertility, pregnancy, grief and loss, termination of pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting. In partnership with the qathet Birth Collective, she will be offering virtual counselling services to individuals and couples qathet Regional District. As part of this collaboration, clients who access doula services through the Collective will also have access to a complimentary counselling session to further support their emotional well-being.
Allison brings both knowledge and warmth to her support of birthing individuals and their families. Having previously worked in the qathet region, she has already established strong relationships with local health care professionals and is excited to return to the community and continue building those connections.
Outside of her professional work, Allison enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, surfing, and running and expresses her creativity through songwriting and music.
Allison will begin offering virtual services in August 2025, with appointments available starting mid-month.
You can verify Allison’s registration with the BCCSW by inserting her name and registration number #16305 into the search engine with the following link: https://bccsw.alinityapp.com/Client/PublicDirectory/
Registered social workers are recognized as ‘medical practitioners’ under the Income Tax Act. This means you can claim your counselling or your family counselling on your income tax return.
For more information on this, please see: https://bccsw.ca/for-the-public/announcement/