Hi, I’m River — or formally Paulina, if we’ve met in creative circles. I’m a former midwife, paramedic, and public health advocate with over 16 years in healthcare. But more than titles, I’m someone deeply passionate about creating real, honest spaces where families feel seen, supported, and empowered.

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URBANFAMILIES is something I built from the ground up — dreamed, created, and self-funded — not just as a resource for parents, but as a living, breathing platform for connection. It’s my love letter to every family navigating those early, vulnerable moments of parenthood. It’s also a collaborative space for health professionals — doulas, midwives, therapists, body workers, lactation consultants, and educators — to come together, share what they do best, and support one another in a way that truly lifts us all.

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My background spans hospital work, home births, public health projects, and infant feeding advocacy. Alongside this, I’ve lived the other side of the story too — becoming a mother, rebuilding my life, and finding strength through creativity and community. That blend of clinical expertise and lived experience shapes everything I offer.

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Over the years, while teaching and supporting families, I’ve met countless furry family members along the way — dogs curled up beside newborns, cats watching quietly from the corner of the room. For many families, pets are not “just animals” — they are part of the family. That’s why I made the decision to expand my first aid offerings to include Dog and Cat First Aid, recognising that emergencies don’t only happen to humans.

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I am trained in First Aid for Dogs and First Aid for Cats, having completed accredited training aligned with the latest RECOVER guidelines for veterinary CPR. This training equips me to remain calm, practical, and effective in emergency situations involving pets — including CPR, choking, bleeding, poisoning, burns, seizures, trauma, heat stroke, hypothermia, and road traffic accidents. While veterinary care is always essential, this training empowers guardians with the confidence to act in those critical first minutes before professional help is available.

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I’m especially passionate about:

• Infant, Paediatric & Adult First Aid, combining my dual experience as a paramedic and midwife to teach life-saving skills with clarity, calm, and confidence

• Pre-birth Preparation & Hypnobirthing, supporting parents emotionally, mentally, and physically as they prepare for birth

• Baby Massage, fostering bonding, regulation, and wellbeing for both baby and parent

• Infant Feeding Support, offering grounded, non-judgmental guidance tailored to your baby and your journey

• Holistic Parenting Classes, blending evidence-based knowledge with nurturing, modern practices

• Dog & Cat First Aid, supporting families and pet guardians to feel prepared, capable, and less afraid when emergencies involve their furry family members

 

Through URBANFAMILIES, my intention is simple: to offer support that feels human — honest, practical, and full of heart. Whether through group classes or one-to-one care, I’m here to help you feel more confident, connected, and calm.

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Because caregiving — for babies, parents, and pets — is not meant to be done alone.

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This is your village.