Naturopathic doctors (NDs) are known for their ability to support patients at every stage of life, from infancy to elder care.  For the NDs of Your Downtown Doula, this support begins right from the very first steps of the journey! By incorporating doula care into their practice, NDs can offer comprehensive support to families, guiding them from fertility through childbirth, post-partum care and beyond.  Founders Dr. EeVon Ling, ND and Dr. Olivia Chubey, ND, ND have seamlessly blended their naturopathic expertise with doula services, creating a unique model of care that is not only highly supportive for patients but also a thriving business model for other NDs to consider. 

Blending Expertise: Fertility, Birth, and Beyond 

Both Dr. Ling, ND and Dr. Chubey, ND came to naturopathic medicine after seeing limitations in conventional healthcare, particularly in women’s health and fertility care. Dr. Ling, ND initially focused on fertility in her early practice, helping couples conceive with the support of naturopathic interventions. However, after training in hypnobirthing and experiencing home birth herself, her work naturally expanded into doula care. 

“For me, it started with fertility work. Once patients became pregnant, they asked if I could support them through birth too,” Dr. Ling, ND explains. “It evolved from there. I became a doula, and over time, my practice shifted to include prenatal classes, birth attendance, and postpartum care.  I even do sleep consulting now as part of my work.” 

Similarly, Dr. Chubey, ND’s path was influenced by her experience with the healthcare system’s treatment of her mother. “My mom wasn’t getting the care she needed. Everything was boiled down to her weight, and real medical issues were being missed,” Dr. Chubey, ND recalls. “Seeing a naturopathic doctor opened my eyes to what healthcare could be. As I went through school, I trained in doula care under experienced NDs, including working with Dr. Ling, and it felt like the perfect fit.” 

Together, Dr.  Ling, ND and Dr. Chubey, ND co-founded Your Downtown Doula in Toronto, where they provide care through all stages of family-building, from fertility to postpartum. Their services range from naturopathic treatments for pregnancy-related conditions to birth coaching, labor attendance, and postpartum support.  This approach allows them to guide families through one of the most important transitions in life with continuity and personalized care. 

Closing the Gaps in Traditional Care 

One of the key benefits of integrating doula services with naturopathic care is filling the gaps that often exist in traditional medical system. While OB-GYNs and midwives are critical players in perinatal care, they are often overburdened with large patient loads, and their visits tend to be brief and focused on clinical checks. The combination of doula work with the ND scope of care provides the emotional and practical support that families need but may not receive in conventional settings. Dr. Chubey, ND notes that they often work with patients who feel overwhelmed or unsupported in the hospital system. 

“Many OBs and midwives simply don’t have the time to provide the hands-on, continuous support during labor that a doula can offer,” Dr. Chubey, ND explains. “Our role as naturopathic doulas is to help patients feel informed, calm, and supported, both physically and emotionally. We help families prepare for birth with education, offer labor coping skills, and advocate for patients in the hospital.” 

Dr.  Ling, ND adds that their medical training as naturopathic doctors allows them to bridge the gap between medical care and doula care, offering a unique advantage in hospital settings. “We can communicate with nurses, OBs, and midwives in a way that non-medically trained doulas may not be able to. We understand the clinical aspects of birth, but we also bring a holistic lens—focusing on prevention, patient-centered care, and advocating for the patient’s preferences.” 

One powerful example Dr.  Ling, ND shares is of a client whose OB labeled her as “high risk” simply because of her ethnicity and use of IVF. Despite the OB’s predictions of complications, the patient went on to have a smooth labor. “There was a point where they were pushing for a C-section, but I suggested a simple adjustment—placing IV bags under her hips to create more space. The baby was born soon after, without a C-section. Having that clinical understanding, knowing that patient the way that I did, helped us avoid unnecessary interventions because I could advocate for that patient in that moment.” 

The Business of Health for NDs: A Flexible, Sustainable Model 

For other naturopathic doctors, integrating doula work into their practice offers both a rewarding way to support families and a viable business model. Dr.  Ling, ND and Dr. Chubey, ND explain that the flexibility of combining doula work with ND practice allows them to maintain a balanced work-life schedule.  It functions not only as an added income stream but a way to increase your patient base in a consistent manner.  With fewer clinic hours and on-call birth support, they can set their own schedules while still meeting financial goals. 

“Some of our NDs take one to two doula clients per month, while others take on more. It depends on what kind of balance you want in your practice,” Dr. Chubey, ND says. “For me, I work part-time in the clinic, and I take on four to six births a month. It’s enough to give me the freedom I need as a mom while still running a successful practice.” 

The key to making this model work is clear communication with clients and careful planning around birth schedules. “Patients understand that we might need to reschedule a clinic appointment if we get called to a birth,” Dr.  Ling, ND explains. “Having a reliable backup team also makes all the difference. Our doulas support each other, so no one is left overwhelmed or unable to attend a birth.” 

For NDs just starting out, doula work also offers a way to build a patient base. “A lot of our birth clients come back to see us for naturopathic care afterward,” Dr. Chubey, ND notes. “Once we’ve built that trust, they want to keep working with us, even after the birth. It’s a great way to grow your practice and develop those lasting bonds with patients and their families as they grow.” 

Looking Forward: A Vision for Integrative Perinatal Care 

Both Dr.  Ling, ND and Dr. Chubey, ND dream of a future where naturopathic doulas are integrated into mainstream perinatal care, with NDs playing a regular role in maternal health from fertility clinics to labor and delivery units. They envision naturopathic doctors collaborating with OB-GYNs and midwives, offering both medical and holistic support for families throughout pregnancy and beyond. 

“Imagine a system where naturopathic doulas are a regular part of hospital birth teams, providing prenatal classes, attending births, and offering postpartum care,” Dr.  Ling, ND says. “Not only would it improve outcomes, but it could also reduce healthcare costs by preventing unnecessary interventions and improving patient satisfaction.” 

Dr. Chubey, ND agrees, adding that there is enormous potential for naturopathic doctors to become leaders in this area. “We know that naturopathic medicine can have a huge impact on pregnancy outcomes. From managing gestational diabetes with natural interventions to preventing postpartum depression, we have the tools to make a difference. We just need more recognition from the healthcare system.” 

With a strong commitment to mentoring new NDs interested in doula work, Dr.  Ling, ND and Dr. Chubey, ND hope to see more naturopathic doctors across Canada adding doula care to their practices, ultimately enriching the profession and improving the care that families receive.