Lynn Shinto Photo

Lynn Shinto

Birth to Life Doula Services

Delta, BC Service range 20 miles Serving Lower Mainland (Metro Vancouver, Richmond, Delta, New West, Burnaby, Surrey). No ferries or international borders.

https://birthtolife.com/

//instagram.com/birthtolife.doula

Birth Fee

$1750

Postpartum Rate

$40

Availability Remarks: Some flexibility in schedule adjustments will be required if I am called to attend a birth. Communication will be given immediately if changes need to be made, or my backup doula can be arranged.

Birth Fee

$1750

Postpartum Rate

$40


Birth Doula Experience

2 years and 26 births attended

Postpartum Doula Experience

2 years and 34 families served


Doula Training

  • DONA International-Approved Workshop, July 2022
  • DONA International-Approved Workshop, October 2022

Type of practice: Solo practice

Clients per month: 1 to 4 births and 3 to 6 postpartum families

Postpartum limits/restrictions: - Unable to babysit or child-mind without at least one parent or caregiver present in the home - No deep cleaning (i.e. bathrooms, fridge, oven, yard work)

Attends hospital births? Some Hospitals
In the event of a cesarean, some hospitals unfortunately may refuse a doula to join the birthing person and their primary support person/partner due to hospital policy.

Attends birth center births? No Birth Centers
There are currently no birth centres in BC.

Attends home births? Any Home Birth


College Education

BA/BS


Special Services Offered

  • Acupressure
  • Aromatherapy
  • Baby-led weaning
  • Babywearing education
  • Belly binding
  • Birth pool rental
  • Child passenger safety technician services
  • Childbirth education services
  • Cloth diapering education
  • First Aid and CPR
  • Infant massage education
  • Lactation consultant/counselor services
  • LGBTQIA+ Support
  • Newborn care and parenting classes
  • Newborn care specialist
  • Photography - Birth
  • Photography - Newborn
  • Sibling support (for your older children at the birth)
  • TENS units rental
  • Therapeutic bodywork
  • Virtual and remote doula support

Training Documentation

credential


Relevant volunteer or advocacy work

- Member, DONA International; - Member, Doula Services Association of BC; - Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST)/Member, Child Passenger Safety Association of Canada (CPSAC); - Member, Chartered Professionals in Human Resources (CPHR) BC;

Languages Spoken

  • English
  • Japanese

Fee Details

Birth Doula Support Services: - Three (3) in-person prenatal visits (one prenatal to include a car seat check) between 32-36 weeks gestation. - Prenatal topics include, but not limited to: labour/birth preparation (helping you craft your birth preferences/roadmap), childbirth education, navigating the hospital setting, infant feeding/breast/chest-feeding support, postpartum recovery, basic newborn care and baby safety tips. - Unlimited text and email support starting from the date of hire. Postpartum Doula Services: - A minimum of 12 hours of in-person support over 6 weeks postpartum will be required to ensure I can provide the optimal postpartum support for you and your family. Parking is expected to be provided by the client. Travel fee (outside of 20 mile radius): $15 per visit.

Service Area

Delta, BC Service range 20 miles Serving Lower Mainland (Metro Vancouver, Richmond, Delta, New West, Burnaby, Surrey). No ferries or international borders.

Client Testimonials for Lynn Shinto

Post a testimonial for Lynn Shinto

Vivian G.

9/7/2024

When we initially found out we were expecting, I instantly knew I wanted a doula. Even before speaking with Lynn I knew she was the doula we would want by our side. We wanted someone who would be able to guide us with research backed data, assertively remind us of our decisions in the chaos of child birth, and enforce a confidence only experience would bring.

Lynn was all of that and so much more. She put us at ease and prepared us for all the different scenarios that could happen with child birth during her prenatals. She showed us ways to cope with labour and spent time teaching us how to properly install a car seat. She answered all our questions with enthusiam and kindness, no matter how dumb we felt, always providing reassurance.

Throughout my pregnancy we were able to ask Lynn unlimited questions and she would always take her time to answer thoughtfully.  She would always check in if she hadn't heard from us in a while.

When it was go time, Lynn was there every step of the way. She came during early labour and supported me and my husband for the day after my induction. At one point she had her own emergency but was still prioritizing making me feel supported. Her back up Gulia was amazing the first night in the hospital. Lynn stepped back in as soon as she could and was able to see us through the rest of the labour and delivery totaling 55 hours. Her calming presence, experience, support, compassion, and knowledge got us through it all.

When retelling my story, I look back with so much positivity despite having such a physically tiring experience. We felt so much love and support from Lynn, and the rest of birth team with Lynn being a huge contributing factor to the positive experience.

We also booked Lynn for post partum where her support has continued!

I would recommend Lynn in a heart beat, in fact I've been singing her praises whenever anyone is willing to listen.

 

 

Helen

9/1/2024

The thought of giving birth alone was extremely scary. When I first came across Lynn's Instagram profile, I knew she was the doula I wanted to support my birth. I am forever thankful that Lynn took me on as a last-minute client. Her expertise was invaluable to my birthing experience and her presence was all I needed to feel calm through my 30-hours of induction and emergency c-section. Highly recommend!!

Owen Li

7/2/2024

From our first ever encounter, Lynn’s profound knowledge and genuine kindness stood out and convinced us we were going to be in good hands postpartum, and she did not disappoint! Lynn made our transition into parenthood not just manageable, but truly memorable.

What we are especially appreciative of her is that while she proactively looked for ways to be more helpful, she was never intrusive. She showed compassion and provided invaluable emotional support. She engaged us in meaningful discussions about our feelings and the profound changes in perspective that come with becoming parents. It’s so important to our mental health to be taking time to reflect at these times.

For anyone stepping into the world of parenting, Lynn's tender loving care and dedication to family will undoubtedly be your cornerstone. I wholeheartedly recommend her to any new parents looking for guidance, support, and a gentle hand to guide them through the intricacies of this new journey.

Kim

2/25/2024

Lynn is amazing! If you are thinking about hiring a postpartum doula, choose her! She helped ease the transition to home with our first child. She was so supportive and always there to help reassure us. She was always available if we had a question and responded quickly to our messages.


She is so thoughtful, patient, empathetic, and approachable, and she provides a space for you to be vulnerable—the list of positives could go on. I would highly recommend her.  She also has a product line, and I have been working my way through her products—the belly butter is amazing!


Thank you, Lynn, for all your help and support!

Shubhi Kesharwani

2/23/2024

Having Lynn as a doula was the best decision we made for our birth plan. She is the most compassionate person I met. Being first time parents we were nervous and had so many questions, but Lynn was so kind and considerate she always responded within minutes.

My labour journey was not easy I was in active labor for more than 12 hours and Lynn was right by our side throughout. She did everything possible to make my labor smooth. I couldn’t be more thankful for her support, because of her my husband could sit down and rest for some time and that’s much needed. Everyone helps the mom but Dad’s need support as well and that’s where having Lynn helped us.

I would highly recommend to hire Lynn if you need help for delivery or postpartum. We look forward to work with her in future as well :)

Susan

1/2/2024

Being first time parents, I immediately knew I wanted a doula as a support through our birthing journey. I am a person that can do a lot of prep work and self research but the real questions really only come up at the moment I come across them. And that's where Lynn came in. 

 

She is sincere, empathetic, honest and really easy to talk to. She made sure my husband and I were prepared for what was to come. She always checked in to ensure I was doing ok emotionally and physically and that she was available for anything. 

 

I was in early labour for almost 2 days and she powered through it with me. She made sure my birthing preferences were respected and triple checked if any doctor recommendations or changes were something I truly wanted. There's no judgement, there's no "wrong" decision - just comfort, support and encouragement. 

 

She's also really down to earth, funny and easy to get along with. She is always learning and growing her business to benefit her clients and she has excellent connections for other support services.

We can't thank Lynn enough for her time and help. Highly recommend her as your doula! 

Carrie

10/7/2023

Found Lynn pretty last minute as a post partum doula and we couldn't be happier with our decision! Lynn was so kind and caring to our entire family. As first time parents, we felt very overwhelmed with the entire process of caring for a newborn. Lynn was able to teach us many practical tips for newborn care that simply made things that much easier for us. We couldn't recommend Lynn enough! 

Melanie mcphail

9/30/2023

We met Lynn when we were looking for a CPST to do a car seat check for us before our baby came. She was super responsive and accommodating, and really put our minds at ease. She was a great teacher and gave us lots of confidence.

After my baby was born, the postpartum doula that we initially hired flaked out on us. We were skeptical of trying to find someone totally new and go through the process of interviewing people or having a total stranger in our house during such a stressful and vulnerable time. We reached out to Lynn and she agreed to work with us. We will forever be grateful for her willingness to help us out so last minute!

Lynn is so kind and helpful. Her presence is so calm and grounding which is very much needed during such a challenging time. We had her come for several different shifts, which allowed us to catch up on sleep and take a break. She was very accommodating when it came to scheduling time. Right away we were so comfortable having Lynn in our home and caring for our baby. She helped us with washing bottles and pump parts, preparing food, keeping the nursery tidy, but most importantly snuggling, feeding, and playing with our baby girl.

Lynn was also an incredible ear to my husband and I as we navigated the transition to parenthood. Her pep talks helped our confidence and she always had lots of great tips to tackle the many challenges that arise in those early weeks.

Lynn always provided a breakdown of each shift which made it seamless for us to take over care again and know when our baby had last ate and slept. She was also always available by text to help us out between visits.

We would highly recommend Lynn to anyone looking for car seat help, or support through their birth and beyond. We look forward to working with Lynn again in the future!

Alex Chuang

9/16/2023

Lynn has been an absolute blessing throughout our journey into parenthood. From day one, she impressed us with her exceptional listening skills and unwavering attentiveness to our needs. Her wealth of knowledge and responsiveness made us feel incredibly supported, and she was always just a message away, ready to provide guidance and reassurance. Lynn's frequent check-ins were a testament to her dedication, ensuring that we felt informed and confident at every stage.

What truly sets Lynn apart is her genuine care and empathy. She surprised us with thoughtful care packages and heartfelt cards, demonstrating her deep understanding of what new parents go through. Lynn's approachability created a safe space where we could be open and transparent about our fears and hopes. We knew she would do everything in her power to enhance our experience, and that meant the world to us.

Moreover, Lynn's resourcefulness was a game-changer. Her extensive network of specialists and doula connections provided us with a wealth of insights and tips that proved invaluable. Lynn went above and beyond, ensuring we had access to the best support and information available. We can't thank her enough and would wholeheartedly recommend her to any new parents!

Victoria

8/24/2023

After a really difficult pregnancy, I was nervous, exhausted, and burnt out going into my labour and delivery. I’d heard so many nightmarish birth stories that I decided to enlist a doula to ease some of my stress. I wasn’t sure what to expect in working with a doula, but Lynn made the process easy and painless, checking in with me regularly and meeting with us both virtually and in-person. Lynn was patient and thorough with the car seat check and installation, which really gave us peace of mind.

When it came time for my induction, Lynn was there with us through all of my labour, making sure we were fed, that I was going to the washroom regularly, and that our needs were being met by the hospital staff. Once I entered active labour, Lynn busted out the pain coping mechanisms and kept me focused using counter pressure and breathing techniques. Through most of my labour, she was the grounding force that stopped me from breaking down. Although I hadn’t planned on an unmedicated labour and delivery, I ended up only using laughing gas, and this is largely due to Lynn helping me work through the pain. My husband and I weren’t 100% comfortable with me getting an epidural so we can’t be happier with how my delivery went!

In terms of postpartum care, I really valued Lynn taking care of us. In that first sleepless month, those days when she came over were such a bright glimmer as I knew we’d finally be able to get some uninterrupted rest. There are so many things that you don’t know as a new parent, and everything is just so darn overwhelming in those early days. Lynn was invaluable as our birth and postpartum doula. She broke down all of the scary unknowns and gave us agency when we didn’t know it was there. I’d highly highly recommend Lynn as a doula, and I look forward to her unwavering care and no-BS attitude for any future pregnancies we may have.

Sara

8/18/2023

Sometimes it can be hard for me to find the right words, but here goes, I will do my best.

Lynn was exceptional and went far above and beyond what was expected. Our son's birth did not go as expected and he arrived 3 weeks early. When I was faced with a scary situation and a longer than anticipated hospital stay, Lynn was there for me and my husband throughout the experience. I was able to reach her at any time of the day and she communicated very well with me and the entire health care team. She listened actively, helped me relax by giving me massages, helped me get comfortable, comforted me when I was feeling overwhelmed.

She had a TENS machine that I used throughout the labour that I found very helpful.  Lynn, my husband and I also had a lot of fun listening to music and dancing earlier on in the labour. As things progressed, Lynn's gentle coaching and words of encouragement helped me stay calm and in the zone. When it was time for my son to make his entrance into the world, she was ready and pro-active, never forgetting to give me sips of water, juice or coconut water.

As my husband currently lives overseas, she kept him and his family informed of what was going on. She facilitated continuous video chat so that he was able to see the birth of our son, which was of utmost importance to all of us.

My husband and I are forever grateful and consider Lynn to be part of our family now. Lynn had a very positive impact on this birth and we cannot thank her enough! 

Rachel

8/17/2023

Having Lynn as our doula was one of the best decisions my husband and I had ever made regarding the birth of our son. The support she provided both of us was invaluable. When I was admitted, I had to be continuously monitored and a lot of decisions had to be made quickly. I really appreciated how Lynn gave me context and options when my husband and I both felt overwhelmed. She was someone my husband and I could express our fears to and have that communicated to the rotating team of doctors we saw during our hospital stay. Post labour, Lynn came to our house and eased our transition into living at home with a newborn. She was always patient about answering questions my husband and I had as new parents and guided me through some of the insecurities I felt about motherhood and breastfeeding. I cannot recommend her enough!

Loren Shmyr

8/17/2023

I first met Lynn when I was nearing the end of my pregnancy and needed someone to help me install my babies car seat. She was amazing and super knowledgeable! Then, what are the chances she becomes my post partum doula as well! I was super thrilled to have her help yet again. I honestly knew she would be amazing, but my expectations were completely blown out of the water! She not only helped with my two girls, but also took the time to help me fold laundry, cook meals, and allow me to have some much needed "me" time. Lynn is seriously the best post partum doula I could have ever asked for. I am forever grateful for the many hours she committed to helping my family when I didn't have anyone else. They say it takes a village, and I'm so lucky to say that Lynn was my village. I definitely shed a tear on her last day! I know all the families she supports in the future will be so glad to have her. We are wishing Lynn the very best as she moves on to other families and other babies.

Many thanks Lynn!

Birth Availability for Lynn Shinto

= Available. Calendar last updated: 11-14-2024

Postpartum Availability for Lynn Shinto

= Available. Calendar last updated: 11-14-2024