Hey! I’m so happy you’re here. 

I'm Kana. I'm Japanese by origin, born in Taiwan, with stints in the United States, and a vibrant upbringing in Osaka, Japan. Toronto has been my cherished home for more than a decade.

I used to work in Educational Tech to transform university admissions worldwide. But in my fifth year at this company, my nephew was born. I visited my sister in Germany to take care of her postpartum, and something clicked. I loved how the support I provided her allowed her to bond with her baby so much more.

One night, my sister asked me, “have you thought about becoming a doula?“

My response: “What’s a doula?“

She told me all about the role of a doula and that was it! I completed my training, continued my education, and launched Your Neighbourhood Doula. 

My passion lies in guiding and educating first-time families through the transformative postpartum period. I truly believe that the short-term support that a doula can provide can positively impact the long-term health of the whole family. 
Amidst the hustle, I love to travel and provide a loving haven for furry friends. I've had the privilege of fostering two dogs, Hutch and Kenzie, both finding their forever homes and dog sitting almost 20 dogs. 🐾. I love going on a walk with a cup of coffee with my partner, Neil!

Credentials:

  • Certified Postpartum Doula (DONA International) since Nov 2023
  • Certified Perinatal Nutrition Expert (The Professional Perinatal Nutrition Program - Lindsay Taylor) since Feb 2026
  • Emergency First Aid with CPR/AED Level C Certified since 2024

  • Vulnerable Sector Check + Liability Insurance

~ Client Reviews ~

“I can’t express enough how grateful I am for the postpartum support I received from Kana. After the birth of my daughter, I felt very overwhelmed and unsure about how to adjust to life with a newborn, let alone address my own postpartum healing and extreme hormone fluctuations. Kana was there every step of the way, offering reassurance, practical advice, and emotional support during this difficult transition period.

Kana provided so much more than just guidance on newborn care—she helped me process my birth experience and emotions, gave me tips on breastfeeding, prepared delicious meals for our family, took our dog on much needed walks, and more.

If you’re looking for a doula who goes above and beyond to support you during your pregnancy and postpartum period, I wholeheartedly recommend Kana!”

— Annette

“What an incredible person and resource to have postpartum. I trust Kana entirely when looking after my baby boy. She is compassionate, extremely caring and gentle, detail oriented, and her presence is calming and reassuring. I really appreciate that she supports the choices I make with my baby while gently offering thoughtful suggestions - especially around sleep as I need this most right now. I am a Registered Nurse and Lactation Consultant and have worked with many professionals, but Kana stands out. She has helped me and my family of 5 tremendously during the newborn phase and onwards. My two bigger kids (4 & 6) also love her! Thankful to have you in my corner, Kana.”

— Blair

“Kana supported my family for four months after my son was born.

She was truly a mix of a best friend and a Mom - making sure I always had water and a snack while nursing, playing with my baby when I wanted a quiet shower, and even prepping a healthy dinner for all of us when my energy was low.

Having Kana in our home was incredibly peaceful - I had complete trust in her. I honestly breathed a sigh of relief every time she walked in the door.

11/10 experience overall ❤️”

— Melanie

Frequently Asked Questions

When you’re looking for a service that suits your needs, exploring all the questions is important. So I have a dedicated list of frequently asked questions.

  • Postpartum doulas are skilled and knowledgeable about the care and development of maternal recovery and adjustment, as well as newborns.

    We assist the postpartum individual with emotional and physical recovery, care for the newborn so the client can care for themselves, and provide practical household assistance.

    We are well-versed in the most up-to-date information on the care for postpartum individual newborn and

  • Postpartum doulas do not provide medical services, treatments, or diagnosis for the parent or newborn. 

    We also are not nannies or house cleaners. Our care is always centered around the postpartum client's needs first.

    While our work extends support to the newborn, our main attention is on the postpartum individual. If holding the newborn, playing with the older children, or doing light household chores are what the client needs, we are delighted to do so! 

    Each postpartum doula provides slightly different services. For example, I provide meal prepping with a background in perinatal nutrition, some others may not.

  • I serve all types of families. Whether you’re first-time parents, a family with support from family, or chosen families.

  • For day-time visits, I require a minimum of 4 hours for each visit. This allows me to provide the best care while covering most, if not all, bases from caring for the postpartum individual, meal

    We have found through experience that less time doesn't really allow for us to do much at all. Time goes by so quickly with a newborn! 

  • In general, the span can be anywhere from one or two visits to three months. There are a number of factors that come into play in determining the duration of doula support. These include:

    What was your birth experience like? A birthing parent who is recovering from an uncomplicated vaginal birth typically has less healing to do than a  birthing parent who is recovering from a significant tear, episiotomy, or an operative delivery (cesarean).


    What kind of support do you have and who is available to help you during your recovery?

    We want to make sure that you are cared for and nurtured during your postpartum period. Doulas work as additional supporters  alongside any support you may already have available. 

    Recognizing that it is a transitional period for the supporting member of the family too, we will help educate the whole family with evidence-based information. The more knowledgable and confident the family starts to feel, the overall postpartum experience starts to feel manageable! 

    I know sometimes family dynamics and relationships can be complicated.

    The financial capability to pay. This is the biggest factor for many families. Not only are they considering how much they can afford, but they are also doing so at a time when expenses are going up, with the addition of a baby (or two or three). A good suggestion is for you to ask for doula services as a shower or new baby gift from friends and relatives.


    The number of new babies. A new parent of multiples frequently needs more “extra hands” than that of a

    parent having a baby who is a singleton. The parent of multiples may simply need more in terms of babyholding, feeding, and organization, as well as needing to find some rest-time.


    Are there older siblings? If you have school-aged children, you may want a doula there to help you and them during the afternoon hours when they arrive home hungry and needing help with their homework. Dinner and baths

    can be an exhausting time with a new baby. With toddlers and preschoolers, you may need several weeks of doula support so that the older children also feel cared for. It is a big transitional period for everyone in the family afterall!