Gentle Beginnings: Supporting Mothers and Families on Prince Edward Island

Using Two Decades of Experience to Support Expectant Mothers

Nasim Fattahi arrived in Prince Edward Island with her husband and two children in the summer of 2024 and were immediately struck by the Island’s natural beauty, clear skies, and peaceful atmosphere. They had lived in Tehran, a bustling metropolis and the cosmopolitan capital city of Iran, where she worked as a midwife for 20 years in one of the largest level-three hospitals in Tehran and headed the labor and delivery ward as well as the obstetric emergency department. Nasim’s role involved high levels of responsibility, constant pressure, and critical decision-making, but her passion for supporting mothers and newborns led to a deeply fulfilling career. Seeking a calm, safe, and politically stable environment in which to raise their children, Nasim and her husband decided to immigrate to Canada. “Moving from Tehran to Charlottetown felt like a shift from noise to peace. Life on the Island is quieter, slower, and has allowed my family and me to reconnect with nature and prioritize our well-being. The people here are incredibly friendly and kind,” she says.

Harnessing her two decades of experience as a midwife in Iran, Nasim decided to start a business focused on supporting expectant mothers on Prince Edward Island. And with that, Gentle Beginnings Maternal Services Inc. – a maternal care center offering doula services, childbirth education classes, yoga,meditation, and emotional support for Parents – was born. “The response to my services has been very positive and encouraging. Families appreciate having access to personalized and supportive care in a calm and welcoming environment, and this feedback has been a great source of motivation for me,” she says.

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Growing a Business and a New Life with Help from PEI Connectors

Starting a businessas an immigrant in a new country has not been without challenges. Since launching, Nasim has worked hard and drawn on several forms of support to navigate the unfamiliar administrative systems, licensing processes, and professional regulations related to offering doula services in Prince Edward Island. “Building trust and introducing my services to local families has taken time and consistent effort, but my determination, professional background, and belief in compassionate, family-centered care helped me overcome these obstacles,” she says.

Nasim has immersed herself in local networks on PEI to both spread the word about her business and its value to families on the Island but to build professional connections and tap into support available to small business owners. “PEI Connectors has offered me valuable guidance and encouragement throughout the journey, and I would absolutely choose PEI over again. Despite the challenges of starting over in a new place, the safety, calm atmosphere, and supportive environment of the Island have made it a wonderful place for my family to grow and thrive,” she says.