CCEDA is Calgary’s gold standard professional collaborative. At CCEDA we believe in the importance of providing superior professional services. CCEDA is an interdisciplinary professional cooperative offering comprehensive support and education to parents through contracted service providers. CCEDA, formerly The Calgary Childbirth Education Association (CCEA) has been trusted in the Calgary Birthing Community for over 25 years. We are dedicated through a family-centered philosophy to meet the needs of expectant or new parents.
Kate Forsyth -Birth and Postpartum Doula
I am a proud mother of three and grandmother to two dear little grandchildren. I have truly found my passion in being a Doula. My goal as a Doula is to help the mother have a safe and happy birth experience that is meaningful and satisfying and relatively free of stress. Labour support adds so many positive things to birth for the mother. I think a Doula helps the mother’s emotional, physical and psychological well being by being there for her (and her partner) with reassurance, comfort and information. I want to give her and her partner as much information as possible so they have the confidence to make informed decisions and feel that they have choices in certain areas. I will make every effort to ensure that the memories of the birth are happy and cherished.
Gloria Hemming -Childbirth Educator and Lactation Consultant
I had four sons before I realized that pregnancy and childbirth was not something I could easily leave behind. Working as a Public Health Nurse for the last 30 plus years and as Lactation Consultant for the last 15 years has allowed me to have daughters vicariously through many, many others. Labour and birth experiences impact babes on the short term and mothers on the long term.
Hanneke Dewit -Birth Doula and Childbirth Educator
For eight years I have been involved with The Pregnancy Care Centre in Calgary, assisting women faced with unplanned pregnancies and facilitating parenting classes. During this time I have learned how invaluable non-judgemental support is to women faced with overwhelming circumstances. For many women this time is filled with uncertainty and vulnerability. I enjoy assisting women in making informed choices and offering support as they make difficult decisions. Through the Centre I became interested in supporting women through labour and birth. Many women do not have the support of loved ones. I soon realized that any women who wanted additional, experienced support should have it. In many ways my work at the Centre parallels what I do as a doula and childbirth educator. Offering non-judgemental support, inspiring confidence and educating women so they are prepared to make informed choices based on current evidence based research. My hope is the each women can experience labour, birth and motherhood as empowering.
I am a mother of two wonderful kids and married to my best friend. I believe that becoming a mother is a beautiful, life changing event and it is my hope that our team here at Calgary Childbirth Education and Doula Association can assist women and their families in preparing for, and support them through their experience of labor and birth and early parenting.
Lindsay Novinger -Birth Doula and Midwifery Student
I am a new doula, as well as a student midwife – currently working towards my Master’s in Midwifery with the Midwives College of Utah.
I have a passion for helping people and a fascination with the human body. These come together for me by supporting and empowering women in pregnancy and birth. I believe in bolstering women with the knowledge and alternatives available so that she can make the choices that are best for her, as well as providing her the emotional and physical support that she needs during this exciting and sometimes scary time.
Besides being consumed with everything birth-related, I am also a bit of a foodie, and enjoy spending my time with my family and friends.
We hope that we will be able to support you in your journey through the childbearing year.
