Another Addition to our Team!

Earlier this year Nicole joined Lifetime of Love Doulas and has quickly become an integral part of our birthing team  - we are so pleased to welcome Nicole to Lifetime of Love Doulas!

Tell us, who is Nicole Anderson?

First and foremost, I am a wife to my amazing husband Luke and mother to two beautiful boys Liam and Declan (who keep me on my toes!).  We love to spend time at the cottage with family and as the boys become more active in sports I get to add the title of "Hockey Mom" and " Baseball Mom" to my resume.  This is quite a change for me as I have spent 34 years as a trained dancer and dance educator. Needless to say, dance has played a huge role in my life and continues to be a passion of mine to this very day.  If I were to ask the people who are closest to me to name the best parts of my personality I think they would say that I have the ability to really listen and hear what another ​person is saying or feeling without judgment or criticism. 

I'm compassionate and very focused in a crisis or emotionally charged situation. At the end of the day, I'm a caretaker.  I love to help people and being needed and feeling like I supported someone through any situation brings me much joy.

Share with us a little bit about your education background:

I have an undergraduate degree in Fine Arts, specializing in Dance Studies from York University as well as my Teaching diploma from Dance Masters of America.  I have devoted the better half of my adult life to working with children of all ages and being able to positively impact their lives through dance education feels amazing.  I am a DONA trained Birth Doula and I'm currently working towards my ProDoula Childbirth Birth Education certification (PDCBE).  I plan on adding Postpartum support to my list of trainings in the near future so stay tuned!

What made you decide to become a doula?

Birth and Labour Support have been passions of mine from a very young age.  I've always been fascinated by the mystery of life and birth and before deciding on the Dance Program at York University I seriously considered a career in Midwifery (who knows, maybe one day it will happen!)  The birth of my children only solidified my feelings towards birth and I found myself supporting many friends and family members through the births of their own children.  I was a Doula and I didn't even know it!!  I'm so happy to be at the point in my life where I can truly call myself a Doula.

What do you love most about being a doula?

I love being able to support families as they transition into parenthood and I feel privileged to be included in such a momentous occasion.  Being able to provide non-judgmental support is extremely important to me.  Nothing feels better than the thank you we receive after a birth.  Knowing that you have impacted someone's life in a positive way makes every hour spent at a birth all the more worthwhile. Plus, who doesn't love hanging out with adorable babies?!

How has your experience been working as a Lifetime of Love Doula (so far)?

The opportunity to work within this team of Doulas is invaluable.  We really do support each other and it feels amazing to be a part of a team where we truly respect one another.  I have learned so much about myself and the Doula I have become even in this short time with the group. The shared care model allows us to provide amazing support to our clients and in turn makes us better Doula's.  Cheers to my amazing team members!!