"Opportunities for empowerment are potent game changers."​​​

My Philosophy

The Doula's territory is the wild world of love and life cycles.  I am an experienced and dedicated companion who is available to join you on this unforgettable journey with your hopes and needs at the forefront, to guide us along towards the experience that you desire.  I believe that childbirth is a dance where the mother is in the lead, and as her childbirth partner who follows, it is important to be flexible.
I've supported new and growing families in a variety of settings and birth outcomes, both at home and in the hospital since 2007.  As a birth professional, I weave together my own knowledge and variety of experiences to offer grounded, loving support to people and the broad spectrum of childbirth options available to them.
Additionally, I support clients in their full range of arrangements and identities, such as single, teen, gender-queer parents & LGBTQ families."

About Serena

Serena is a Certified Doula through the Wise Woman Way of Birth based out of Vancouver, BC.  She has been practicing herbalism with and for her family for 10 years. She is an outdoor preschool teacher, prenatal instructor, and has been facilitating the weekly postpartum group Mamacentric, sponsored by the Cumberland Community School Society since 2015. She also volunteers as the Vancouver Island Chapter Leader for the International Cesarean Network. She weaves together her diverse heritage, passion and holistic wisdom to nurture new and growing families of all ages and spectrum of choice. 

​In her heart and hands, Serena Oliveira holds the highest intentions of support, education and wellness as she brings together 12 years of doula service, wisdom and holistic healing to you and your family. 

Childbirth Consultant

With an open mind and heart, Serena is a confidante and advocate for the best possible outcome in all of life's transformative, opportune moments. She is a coach, bridging her training and experience as an outdoor naturalist and guide to the wild room of the birth room. Pregnancy and childbirth are huge, life changing events. Are you wanting to address any fear or doubt or other potential stumbling blocks in your parenting before you give birth?  Preconception and pregnancy are fertile times to do so.  Serena encourages the potential for positive outcomes throughout the childbearing year by providing compassionate, emotional, and informational support that benefits everybody.  She will be your guide as you connect, release and celebrate through all of the transitions and cycles on your pregnancy journey.
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Full Spectrum Doula

Serena is here for you throughout your full spectrum of experiences and family planning outcomes. She believes the pregnant person is the ultimate expert in their own process.  

Birthing Freedom includes compassionate support for the broad range of choices and outcomes in pregnancy such as miscarriage, adoption and abortion.  

Additionally, we serve families in their full spectrum of arrangements and identities, such as-but not exclusive to single, teen, genderqueer parents & LGBTQ families.

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Mother

Together the experiences of being a mother and doula create a strong foundation in my desire to create a loving, informed and empowered culture surrounding birth.

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Serena is the mother of Akai, who is now 9 years old and Rueben who is 4. Her boys were both born at home, with midwives and friends. Both were very different experiences, her second being a fun and pleasurable birth. That's right, she had fun while giving birth! Pleasure connects us to our creative genius and Serena loves to share the embodied lessons and awareness of going from pain to pleasure. Her role as a mother, and the act of giving birth has taught her much about herself, her incredible capacities as a woman, and the importance of community. Giving birth to, and consciously raising her two creative, energetic boys has been the most challenging and fulfilling adventure of her life. She has experienced what it's like to be a single mom, and they are her biggest sources of inspiration, and empowerment. Raising them have taught her the importance and invaluable lessons of receiving and asking for support.  AKai & Rueben are the spark that ignited her wholehearted desire to share her passion, knowledge and experiences as a doula.

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Holistic Educator

Serena integrates her knowledge as a Bold Method for Birth facilitator with her acquired experience over the last 10 years of working with women on their journeys of reproductive health and wellness. She facilitates the weekly Mamacentric postpartum group at the Cumberland Community School, and is a teacher at Hand in Hand Early Years Nature Education Program.

Summer 2014 Making Echinacea Tincture

Holistic refers to holism, which is the synthesis of the mind, body and heart connection in health and healing.  Serena's understanding is that the body allows us to connect, the heart to feel, and the mind to inquire.  She values the concept of holism as the search for balance in these three equally important aspects of ourselves, which together make us whole.

Serena's approach to holism stems from both her personal experiences and studies in different holistic modalities.  She is adept in healing touch and massage, herbalism, as well as nourishing and therapeutic methods of food preparation. 

By offering loving support, empowering information, and deepest trust in our own bodies and babies, Serena offers her own unique 'healing touch' to new and growing families.

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"When I am asked to be present at a birth, I feel a great amount of honor, respect and reverence. I love what I do, and that I can offer my presence in the form of continuous, trusted and grounded support during the entire process of childbirth (which can last hours or days). The connection that is created with new and growing families, whether you are a single mom or have a partner, is one that I hold dear." -Serena