Testimonial for Philippa Coxon
As an immigrant from Bangladesh who has only been in Kamloops for a year and a half, navigating my first pregnancy without close family nearby was overwhelming. With our extended family in Vancouver, it was just my husband and me, and I was very nervous about pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. When a nurse at Royal Inland Hospital recommended hiring a doula and connected me with Philippa, it completely changed my birth experience.
In my culture, it is not customary for fathers to be in the delivery room, so neither of us knew what labor and delivery would look like here, though I really wanted my husband with me. From our first meeting, Philippa was kind, generous, and an ocean of knowledge. Over three or four prenatal visits, she patiently guided us as complete novices. She shared books, resources, and practical techniques, teaching me what my body would do and showing my husband how to support me. She answered all our questions about unfamiliar things like epidurals and forceps. Because the healthcare system here is so different from back home, Philippa truly acted as a bridge between two worlds for us.
I ended up having a 33 hour labor, and Philippa was beside my husband and me through every single hour. She guided me through movements to calm my nerves and manage contractions, and she even brought snacks and juices from home, holding my drinks and feeding me between pushes to keep my energy up while cheering me on.
At first, the hospital felt completely foreign, as I did not know who was who or what to expect. Philippa took all of that fear away. During those 33 hours, I never felt like I was missing my mom or family because she felt like family to us, supporting my husband just as much as she supported me. Full of life, joy, and dedication, Philippa prepared us for both labor and our new baby. I cannot recommend her enough to any expecting parent.
-Mashyat Samiha Ali
November 13, 2026
Philippa Coxon
By Still Waters Doula Services
Birth Fee: $1200
Postpartum Rate: $40
