Our STAFF

Jill Ritchie CLA(ALACE) CPD(CAPPA) NMIN
Member ALACE, CAPPA, DoulaCARE
Certified Birth & Postpartum Doula
Breastfeeding Consultant In Progress
Baby’s First Massage Instructor
Happiest Baby On The Block Educator

“Ask me for strength and I will lend not only my hand, but also my heart”

Jill Ritchie has been providing support to women and their families for the past 7 years. She is the proud mother of 5 children and the founder of Babeeze In Arms Doula Centre. To find out more about Jill’s birth journey as a doula please read her article entitled “The Birth of Doula” and “A Doula’s Inner Faith in Guiding Her Father Home”.

Leanne Lubberts, CD(DONA) CCCE(CAPPA)
Leanne is a Certified Childbirth Educator (CAPPA) and a Certified Doula (DONA). She has been a doula for 5 years and has attended over 40 births. She is the regional representative for the London Chapter of Doula CARE and has received infant and child CPR certification. Leanne belonged to the Cambridge Hospitals ‘Epi’Doula program for socially high risk clients. Leanne is also the mother to three daughters.

"Consider for a moment the simple but profound fact that you don’t need to learn how to have a baby; Your body already knows how to do that - what we do need to learn is how to relax and cooperate with the process"
~Adrienne Lieberman~

We have a secret in our culture . . . it's not that birth is painful, it's that women are strong"
~Laura Stavoe Harm ~

Janet Smye, C.Y.W.., B.A. Sociology, AT Student
Janet is a recent graduate of the Art Therapy Program from the University of Western Ontario where she also obtained her undergraduate degree in Sociology. With over 28 years of experience as a Child and Youth Worker at various placements, Janet capably lends her expertise and dedication to working with children, families and also the many affiliated agencies related to Canadian Mental Health and Educational services.
Janet consistently strives to remain informed and current in the Human Services’ profession in order to effectively utilize new and innovative treatment strategies to successfully met client needs.

Shawna Lewkowitz, B.A., M.Ed., Doula (DONA)
Manager of Programs and Education
Shawna joins us from Toronto where she trained as a doula through DONA International. She has a Master’s degree in Adult Education with a focus on issues related to Childbirth and over eight years experience creating and facilitating workshops. Shawna is also the mother of two spirited daughters who came into the world in very different but equally wonderful ways. Their births inspire her to honour the individual ways women may choose to give birth and to offer her support to help women experience positive and empowering birth experiences.

Tracey Wicks
I am the latest edition to the Babeeze team. I come to Canada from England with my husband and 3 "Busy " boys.
For many years in England I worked with children aged 0-8 years old in a day care setting and then later on I was lucky enough to work in a school for children with disabilities.
After coming to Canada I trained as a Doula through Dona International. I bring with me valuable experiences of Labour and delivery both from England and here in Canada.
Pregnancy, birth and the post-partum period will be give you some of the most memorable times of your life. This chapter in your life journey is a beautiful and empowering one. With the support of a Doula it can be a truly positive one. Warm wishes for your own personal pregnancy and birth journey.

Please contact the Centre to arrange for private consultation.