Meet The Planted Doula
Photo taken by Celeste Midori
Hi, I’m Lara (they/them), also known as the Planted Doula. I’m a queer, non-binary full-spectrum doula and childbirth educator, specializing in supporting queer & trans folks on their family building journeys. I am also a queer parent to a fabulous little human.
About Lara
As a birthworker, I offer support to people and families throughout the full spectrum of pregnancy and postpartum. Full-spectrum means that I support families through the full range of reproductive experiences, including, but not limited to, fertility and conception, birth, postpartum, infant feeding, pregnancy loss, and abortion. Everyone deserves to be seen and supported when it comes to their reproductive health and experience, no matter what their plans or the outcome.
I know firsthand that many queer and trans folks face barriers when starting their families and throughout their pregnancies. Families can be created in a multitude of ways, and that not all families look the same. When you work with me, I will be with you through the ups and downs and everything in between. You deserve to feel safe and comfortable throughout your journey. I make it a priority to get to know you and to ensure that you receive the quality care and support that you need and deserve.
My doula work is firmly rooted in the principles of reproductive justice, anti-racism, harm reduction, trauma informed care, and has a decolonial framework. I recognize the political nature of birth, abortion, pregnancy, and parenthood, and that different social structures can and do impact pregnancy and birth.
For me, care work starts at the roots; we have to understand where people are coming from to support them in getting to where they want to go. To my practice, I bring an understanding of different systems of oppression and how different social structures can and do impact reproduction, pregnancy, and birth.
I would be honoured to accompany you in growing and tending to your garden.
I live and work on unceded Indigenous territory. Doing birthwork and herbalism on stolen land comes with a responsibility to recognize my positionality and continuously learn about the past and present impacts of colonialism. This also means actively and consistently supporting Indigenous folks and their resistance to ongoing colonialism.
Professional Development
Labour Biomechanics, Mamastefit: 2022
Materia Medica May, Suntrap Botanical: 2021
Crisis Response for Birthworkers, Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings: 2021
Adult, Child and Baby First Aid/CPR/AED, Red Cross: 2020
Chestfeeding Support and Knowledge, 2020
Bioregional Herbalism and Medicine Making, Suntrap Botanical: 2020
Supporting Trans and GNC Birthers: Seahorses & Unicorns with Trystan Reese, Cornerstone Doula Trainings: 2019
Sex and Birth Support Person, Tynan Rhea, 2019
Aromatherapy for Birth Workers, Nested: Workshop 2019
Crafting Ritual for Abortion and Pregnancy Loss, Full-Spectrum Doula Circle: Webinar 2019
Make Birth Better Professional Training, Make Birth Better: April 2019
Education and Trainings
Full Spectrum Doula, Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings
Integrative Lactation and Infant Feeding Specialist, Manhattan Birth
Full Spectrum Lactation Educator, Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings
Childbirth Educator, Whole Body Pregnancy
MA Sexual Dissidence, University of Sussex
BA Gender, Sexuality, Feminist and Social Justice Studies, McGill University
Birth and Disability, Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings
Abortion Support Skills, Full Spectrum Doula Circle
Herbal Birthwork Circle, Birthkeeper Herbalism