The Future of Waterbirth Advocacy
Terri Rout CEO, and Founder of waterbirth coalition of canada.
Terri Rout is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Waterbirth Coalition of Canada (WCC), a national organization dedicated to advancing safe, evidence-informed waterbirth practices through education, advocacy, and innovation. With a deep commitment to improving maternal and newborn outcomes, Terri has positioned WCC as a leading voice in shaping the future of waterbirth across Canada and beyond.
With over a decade of experience in perinatal support, Terri is a Registered Perinatal Support Worker (RPNSW), Childbirth Educator (CBE), Personal Support Worker (PSW), and Community Waterbirth Educator (CWE). Her journey into birth work began following the birth of her first grandchild, a transformative moment that inspired her to transition from traditional healthcare into the world of pregnancy, labour, and postpartum support. Since then, she has supported countless families with a focus on informed choice, respectful care, and positive birth experiences.
In addition to her leadership at WCC, Terri is the founder of TLC Birth and Beyond, where she provides comprehensive perinatal support services, including labour and birth support, postpartum care, and waterbirth tub rentals. Through both organizations, she continues to bridge the gap between families, care providers, and institutions by promoting accessible education and practical tools that enhance safety and confidence in birth settings.
Terri is also the innovator behind the Canadian-made Waterbirth Evacuation Sling, a purpose-built safety device designed to support the rapid and secure evacuation of individuals from birth tubs in emergency situations. This product reflects her ongoing dedication to addressing gaps in maternal care and reinforcing safety standards within waterbirth environments.
A passionate advocate, educator, and entrepreneur, Terri Rout remains committed to elevating the standard of care in Canada’s perinatal landscape while empowering families and professionals alike through knowledge, collaboration, and innovation.
Mellanie Nimchand Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Mellanie Nimchand is the Vice President of Sales and Marketing of the Waterbirth Coalition of Canada (WCC), a national organization dedicated to advancing safe, evidence-informed waterbirth practices through education, advocacy, and innovation. With a passion for empowering women to make informed choices about their bodies and their births, Mellanie brings both strategic expertise and personal conviction to her role in growing WCC's reach and impact across Canada and beyond.
A natural connector and relationship builder, Mellanie has spent her career turning bold ideas into thriving brands, launching products into new markets, and building lasting trust with audiences and institutions alike. As a licensed financial advisor and educator, she’s helped hundreds of Canadian families plan and save for their children's post-secondary education, a role that aligns with her belief that she should meet families where they are, provide information and choices that create better positive outcomes, and advocate for a better future for the next generation.
As a mother of two, Mellanie firmly believes that all women deserve the right to choose how and where they bring life into the world. That conviction led her to the WCC founding team, where she channels her talent for business operations, advocacy, storytelling, community building, and scaling organizations to help transform WCC into a world-recognized movement for birth choice.
Warm, driven, and deeply committed to the cause, Mellanie Nimchand brings the tools, experience, and commitment to help WCC bring a true wave of change into Canada and the World’s birthing landscape.