Rheja McRae (Gilchrist) Photo

Rheja McRae (Gilchrist)

Listening Hands Doula Services

Port Moody, BC Service range 20 miles With special request I will work in Surrey, Langley, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge, Richmond etc

https://rhejadoula.com

Birth Fee

$1750

Postpartum Rate

$40

Birth Fee

$1750

Postpartum Rate

$40


Birth Doula Experience

20 years and 1000 births attended

Postpartum Doula Experience

15 years and 40 families served


Doula Training

  • DONA International-Approved Workshop, February 2005

Type of practice: Partnership with 1 other doula

Clients per month: 2 to 4

Attends hospital births? Some Hospitals
I am familiar with the various doctors, nurses and OBGYN's at the hospitals that I work at. We are very comfortable working together, and are mutually supportive. I attend births at Burnaby Hospital, Royal Columbian Hospital, Surrey Memorial, BC Women's, St. Paul's, and Lions Gate Hospitals.

Attends birth center births? No Birth Centers
There are no Birth Centres in the Vancouver BC area at this time.

Attends home births? Any Home Birth
I have attended home births all over Metro Vancouver, including home births after a cesarean. Any homebirth that the Midwives are willing to attend, I will be there. You will be left in a clean, cozy space, tucked into your bed with your babe and partner, ready to get to know each other, and ready for rest.


Special Services Offered

  • TENS units rental
  • Virtual and remote doula support

Relevant volunteer or advocacy work

South Community Birth Program, YPPP (Youth Pregnancy and Parenting Program), Best Birth Clinic VBAC Program

Languages Spoken

  • English
  • French

Service Area

Port Moody, BC Service range 20 miles With special request I will work in Surrey, Langley, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge, Richmond etc

Client Testimonials for Rheja McRae (Gilchrist)

Post a testimonial for Rheja McRae (Gilchrist)

Erika

5/12/2019

My Husband and myself have the blessing to meet Rheja; and she was a blessing for us.

We're a couple from Spain and have no family and friends in town.

We have a our first baby in December 2018 and Rheja was really helpfull during my pregancy and at the day I deliverd my baby. She has a lot of experience and thanks to that I could say that my experience giving birth was really positive. I felt really confident having her by my side because she knows how to guide you through the whole process. I am very thankfull with her for all the support given and the love she share with us in that special moment.

 Thanks once again Rheja for becoming a Doula, you are great!

Love, Erika, Alberto and Alejandro :)

Bojana Simovic Jerinic

2/6/2019

Since the day we first met, we knew that Rheja was the right person to provide us with the support we needed. She truly seemed like an old friend to us, right from the start. She is very experienced, supportive, kind and knowledgeable. After every session we had with Rheja before the birth of our child, we felt that we learned a lot and were much better prepared for our baby. During the labour, her pain relief strategies were so helpful and made the whole process more pleasant. Her support and inputs in the decision making process were crucial - we made much more informed decisions and felt much more confident while making them. She was our safe place, the person to go to and ask questions, and there were many. In our experience of having a hospital birth with our doctor and Rheja by our side, we wouldn’t change a single thing. After the birth, we’ve received some great breastfeeding advices from her, tips and tricks that can certainly only come from someone who is as experienced as Rheja is. It is important to note that Rheja's help is critical for birth partners as it is for mothers, giving them the necessary support to navigate through these exciting, but also challenging and unfamiliar times, and showing them how to best support their partner through the labor and beyond it.

Erin Colleen

1/13/2019

I have nothing but positive things to say about Rheja! We wanted to work with a doula to create some continuity between our experience of the pregnancy, delivery, and the post-partum period, as we did not have consistent providers in terms of the medical team. Rheja was a great fit for us. She provided that holistic, always-there-for-you presence that we were seeking. Rheja is clearly very experienced, and has a calm and reassuring manner that I drew on regularly when beset by the uncertainties and anxieties that sometimes came up. She gave us great advice in addition to labour preparation - on everything from taking care of my body, to taking care of our relationship and building community. I am a health professional myself, and I wanted a doula who could appreciate and respect the value of many aspects of modern medicine, but who could also support me emotionally. Rheja's approach was perfect for this, because she is well versed in what happens at the hospital, but also honours ancient wisdom and women's wisdom, which comes through in almost everything she says.

I ended up having a planned C-section because my baby was in a breech presentation. It was wonderful to have Rheja there in the OR, and we LOVE the pictures she took of our son's birth. She supported us in the first few hours to get on our feet, so to speak, and to get our little one breastfeeding. In the post-partum period Rheja gave us some much-appreciated in-home support. Just knowing we could call her with questions made me feel much more contained throughout the experience (and so I didn't need to call so much!).

If you are looking for someone who is kind, wise, sensitive and utterly comfortable with herself, birthing, and you - I recommend Rheja.

Kristina Rea

3/25/2016

Rheja was a star over the course of a 72 hour labour at home and during our baby boy's water birth.  The fact that it was at home was thanks to Rheja who gave me the stamina to keep at it over those long three days and nights.  We are so happy with the outcome and we credit her experience and calm and helpful demeanor.  There were so many junctures where options were weighed and Rheja's advice came in to provide solutions we wouldn't have thought of.   I recommend her to everyone!!

SCS

1/7/2016

One of the best decisions we made for my first child’s birth was having Rheja Gilchrist by our sides. Her experience, deep knowledge and intuitiveness helped make the birth experience an extremely positive one. Potentially tense situations were made smooth because of her gentle direction. She never focused on being the centre of attention, but rather acted as a guide to help my husband, mother and sister be part of the day in helpful, appropriate, and nurturing ways. My whole family was grateful for her compassion and perception. We definitely hope she will be by our sides for baby #2!

Amy Huang

1/5/2016

Rheja was calm and supportive. She seemed to know exactly how I was feeling - and this was re-assuring because you often feel worried, anxious, and scared especially when the contractions get stronger and more painful. She also was knowledgeable about various strategies that would help during labour. It was such a pleasure to meet her - and it was so nice to meet her before the birth, at birth, and after (with baby) - and we are very grateful to benefit from her experience.

Nicola Doughty

12/28/2015

I cannot fully express how much gratitude I feel – thank you so much for assisting me in delivering Ruby in such a peaceful, loving, wondrous way. My birthing story is one of joy and happiness – combined with a purity that can’t be put into words. You helped me feel safe, loved and capable of moving mountains. I will treasure the memories of our time working together to bring Ruby into the world. ND

Lindsay Kiloh

12/1/2015

Early in my pregnancy, I was terrified of giving birth. But as Rheja coached me through what to expect and how to prepare, my fear gave way to excitement and I began to view labour as a positive, transformative challenge that I was more than capable of taking on. During my labour and delivery, Rheja helped keep me relaxed and focused, which helped us achieve the birth experience we only dreamed was possible. Having Rheja as our doula for the birth of our daughter was such a gift that we made sure to invite her to do it all over again when we had our second baby!

Dena Malkoc

11/20/2015

Rheja was with us for the birth of both my children. The two birth experiences couldn’t have been more different. My first son was born after three days of labour by C-section (not planned). She helped me work through those hard emotions in a supportive and loving way and gave me the confidence that I needed, especially in those precious first days and weeks. For that I’ll be eternally grateful. Rheja may not know the most precious gift she gave me for this birth. A cherished photograph she had taken right after my first son was born. When I was worried about the effects of newborn separation after a C-section, she presented me with an image that clearly captured love. Rheja was with us again for the birth of my second son. He was born at home (planned) in five hours. She respected (and celebrated) our choice to have an HBAC. Rheja is resourceful and respectful. She is kind and loving. She brings calm and peace into the birth experience. She is focused on mother and child safety. She works in lock-step with the midwives. And above all, brings dignity to these sacred and powerful moments that will stay with you for the rest of your life.

Reid Parr

9/20/2015

The experience and intuitiveness Rheja brought to the birthing process was very evident from the very beginning. She took the time to get to know us and understand our needs. She came prepared. She was sharp and on her game. She offered great advice and was a strong advocate for us throughout both deliveries. We would describe her as warm, intuitive, and assertive in the right ways.

Birth Availability for Rheja McRae (Gilchrist)

= Available. Calendar last updated: 03-04-2024

Postpartum Availability for Rheja McRae (Gilchrist)

= Available. Calendar last updated: 03-04-2024