Vanessa Mack - Doula

01/20/2026

Continued….

During the actual labour and birth, Vanessa was immensely supportive. We couldn’t have done it without her. She was professional throughout and offered support and advice in a non-judgmental way. She continuously reminded me to advocate for myself and it was so good to have her and her wealth of experience in our corner. We ended up having a very long labour and Vanessa was there for us the entire time. She knew how to help us at every step without us having to say anything. I felt supported before, during, and after birth and we can’t thank her enough for that. Vanessa is truly amazing at what she does and I would highly recommend her to anyone for doula services. And the pictures that she took throughout the birth were just the icing on top of the cake!

Thank you, Emily 💚

01/19/2026

So happy to be welcoming this gem to our Birth Matters Team. So excited to see all the love and support you bring to our postpartum clients!

Birth Matters Doula Care, Birth Photography & Prenatal Classes

The Birth Matters Team is excited to introduce our newest member: Fully certified Postpartum Doula, Kristin Rhynolds.

Kristin’s passion for postpartum and perinatal support is deeply rooted in both her professional training and her own lived experience. After moving to Kamloops from Alberta 15 years ago to complete her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, she quickly fell in love with the beauty of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc land, the community, and (as it turns out) her now husband of 10 years.

Kristin is currently completing her Master of Counselling and hopes to continue working in the fertility and perinatal mental health field. Her own fertility and perinatal mental health journey profoundly shaped her path, sparking a deep commitment to walking alongside families during one of the most vulnerable and transformative seasons of life.

With a warm, client-centred approach, Kristin is passionate about creating inclusive, welcoming, and emotionally safe spaces for all families. She values genuine connection and believes every individual’s story, background, and experience deserves to be heard and honoured. Her work is grounded in compassion, curiosity, and respect by meeting families exactly where they are at.

Kristin is also currently working as a substance use counsellor supporting youth in the community, a role that has further strengthened her dedication to mental health advocacy and inclusive care. She is nurturing by nature and finds joy in the small, meaningful acts of care such as dropping off meals, helping out with household tasks, babysitting, or simply sitting together with a warm cup of coffee and a listening ear.

Kristin and her husband have built their life in Kamloops and are raising their energetic four-year-old son alongside a very enthusiastic (and slightly chaotic) dog. When she’s not working, studying, or spending time with her family, you’ll most likely find her curled up with a good suspense/ psychological thriller novel with a cup of coffee in hand.

For Kristin, postpartum work is more than support—it’s about presence, connection, and gently walking beside families as they navigate this tender and significant transition.

01/15/2026

Thank you, Zoe 💚

01/15/2026

01/12/2026

This Too Shall Pass

When I was in it - I thought pregnancy would go on forever.

I thought the sleepless nights would go on forever.

I thought the toddler tantrums would go on forever and ever after that.

But now I’m out of it- I can look back knowing that it was all temporary.

Now that I’m out of it - facing new temporary stages of something else with a baby who is nowhere near as small as what seems like only yesterday, I know how fast it really goes.

And that’s a feeling that will last forever.

- Emma Heaphy

01/05/2026

To My Postpartum Friend 💛

What would you add?

01/05/2026

A brand new year means a brand new session of Mother Goose! Registration for our winter session of Parent-Child Mother Goose opens TOMORROW MORNING at 9:30am. Our groups tend to fill up quickly, so check out the details for your preferred group and set that alarm! Our facilitators can't wait to see you!
https://www.eventbrite.ca/o/kamloops-early-language-and-literacy-initiative-kelli-8409461028

01/05/2026

Happy 2026!!! The first Gather & Grow of the year is coming up this Wednesday, January 7th.

Drop in anytime from 11am - 1pm

Looking forward to see you, Modern Nest Fam!

12/29/2025

And just like that, 2025 is a wrap ✨

Thank you all for being part of another incredible year. We’re so grateful for this community and for everyone who continues to support us as we navigate birth work… balancing teaching, classes, meetings, and life on call.

Thank you to every family who trusted us and invited us into their sacred spaces.

And big thank you’s to our own families and our people who make this work possible behind the scenes.

We’re looking ahead to 2026 with excitement!!

Xoxo
Your Birth Matters Team
Kayla & Vanessa

Birth Matters Doula Care, Birth Photography & Prenatal Classes

12/19/2025

Merry Christmas 🎄

12/08/2025

“Healthy baby, healthy mom.”

You’ll hear it all the time.

And of course… We all hope for a healthy baby and a safe delivery. That is the number one priority - and not everyone has the privilege of that being the outcome.

But when your baby is healthy, suddenly it feels like you lose permission to admit that any part of it is hard.

Birth trauma?
“You should hear about my labour, it was way worse.”

Postpartum anxiety?
“That happens to everyone. It’ll pass.”

Breastfeeding struggles?
“At least they’ll take a bottle.”

An unplanned C-section?
“Good thing C-sections exist.”

Grieving the vaginal birth you hoped for?
“I wish I could’ve just had a C-section - that would’ve been easier.”

We’re offered “at leasts” when what we actually need is understanding, validation, and room to feel.

Because two things can be true at once.
You can be deeply grateful for your baby’s health - and still mourn the parts of your story that hurt.
You can feel lucky - and still feel lost.
You can love your baby - and still be healing from what it took to bring them here.

Your experience matters.
Your voice matters.
You matter too.