Rachel Parris, CD(DONA)
Western Canada Director
AB, BC, MB, NT, SK, YT
Rachel lives, works, and plays in Calgary, AB, Canada with her husband and three beautiful children. She began her doula journey in 2008 when she experienced firsthand the profound difference doula support can make during the pregnancy and birth of her twin daughters. Prior to starting a family, Rachel worked as a stage manager in professional theatre. Making the jump from theatre to birth work may seem strange but she has found that stage management and birth support require very similar skills — in both roles, she holds space that allows others to do their work. In 2014, along with her business partner Christine Jennings, she founded Five Elements Birth Services, providing birth doula support to families in the Calgary area. She is actively involved in the birth world in Calgary and loves co-creating community with other doulas and birth enthusiasts. Having served on the executive committee of The Calgary Doula Association for two years and as DONA’s SPAR for Alberta since October 2014, she is excited to be serving the greater doula community of Western Canada as DONA International’s Regional Director. She hosts a monthly doula get together for doulas in the Calgary area as a way to connect, build relationships, and support each other in this often beautiful, sometimes difficult, and always incredible work that we do (please email her for more information if you are interested in attending). Rachel loves all things sci-fi/fantasy, pretending she’s crafty, and is a confirmed bibliophile.