Prenatal, Birth and Postpartum Support
I’m the mother of three strong daughters, a birth and postpartum doula, a traditional birth keeper, a holistic nutritionist, a published author, and a former coffee shop owner and Okanagan latte art champion. All of these roles have deeply informed the way that I move through my life and my work with families (maybe not the latte art, but it’s just for fun!)
I had three very different birth experiences. A completely medicalized hospital birth as a scared nineteen year old, a traumatic and unnecessary homebirth transfer, and a cesarean section for a breech baby that no one would support me with. These three experiences have shaped who I am as a woman, a mother and a birth worker.
I once believed the way forward was becoming a medical midwife, so that I could support women in the ways I had needed during my own births. While preparing to apply to university, I took a doula certification course. In being taught that I was not to attend unassisted births as a doula, I was also, unexpectedly, introduced to them. That ignited something in me.
It set me on an independent path of learning, one that led me to apprentice under Leila Naderi of Barefoot Birth, and deeper into traditional ways of understanding birth. Through this, I came to understand that I didn’t want to be a medical midwife but I also didn’t want to offer care only to women who could afford, access, or carry the responsibility of traditional birth. What I wanted was to walk alongside all women, no matter where they came from or how they chose to give birth.
This is where Tend•Her was born. My work with women is rooted in traditional birth wisdom while remaining inclusive of all birth paths.
Fill out my contact form to set up a conversation to see how we might work together!
My name is Jennifer West of tend•her and I am a doula and a birth keeper who supports families in Calgary, Alberta and the surrounding communities as well as virtually which allows me to tend women all over the world. If you are seeking grounded, heart-centered care that trusts in birth and centers your experience, I would be honored to walk this path with you.


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