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 -Prenatal 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.

Meagan Hughes -Birth Doula and Prenatal Educator

I really became interested in pregnancy and childbirth after the birth of our daughter in 2008. I had a wonderful birth experience and am hoping to help many mothers-to-be have the same. I actively pursued my DONA certification soon after. We have since expanded our family with another addition in 2010.

I have chosen to be a birth doula because I am committed to making a difference one birth at a time. Empowering women and guiding their partners through the birth process allows me to participate in one miracle after another. I want your memories of your birth to stay with you forever. It should be a positive experience and a happy memory. It is your choice – your plan! It’s all about you, your partner, and the experience you want to achieve. I want to be a part of that journey and help you achieve a positive experience.

Shannon Kaltenbruner -Birth Doula and Prenatal Educator

My true passion lies in helping mothers and fathers birth their babies. I joined the Calgary Childbirth Education and Doula Association in 1995 and began my mentorship program to become a doula. I have attended many births over the years, and they were all truly special to me. It is always an honour to witness the birth of a family. I have been passionate about birth and babies since I was 6 years old. I will never forget talking with my pregnant neighbour; she showed me a book with pictures of a newly fertilized egg, and explained how that tiny little thing could turn into a beautiful baby. I have been captivated since that day.

In 1994 I started my community work with an organization called CAPSAC- Calgary Association of Parents and Professionals for Safe Alternatives in Childbirth. Thankfully it is now referred to as Birth Unlimited. I was on the board of directors for many years, and very quickly expanded my horizons through meeting many wise and amazing women. One of these women was Sandra Botting. She truly inspired me to follow my heart, and pursue my goals of becoming more deeply involved with birth.

I have been blessed with the privilege of birthing two of my own beautiful babies. They are growing into incredible young women and are my greatest teachers. Jordan and Tessa were both born naturally, one at the Arbour Birth Center, and one at home.

Sharon Loose -Birth and Postpartum Doula and Prenatal Educator

I first caught a glimpse of my passion for birth when I was privileged to attend the birth of my niece in 1996. It was there that I started the journey towards where I am today. I officially began my birth doula work in 1998, and have been involved in many different organizations that have greatly blessed my life and given me amazing education and experience. I love the wonderful opportunity that I have to work with families preparing for the birth of their child and consider it an honour to be a part of something as miraculous as birth.

I was lucky enough to join this amazing group of women in 2001 and have been serving in various roles ever since privileged to watch this Association grow to what it is today, serving women and families through their childbearing years.

I have been married since 1993 to my best friend and have 4 beautiful kids, all of which have given me a wonderful perspective on love, laughter and life. When I am not involved with all things “birthy” I enjoy photography, outdoor activities and traveling.

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.

Tania O’Neill Birth Doula and Prenatal Educator

Over the past 12 years I have had a fulfilling career supporting children and families, whether that is in the area of counselling, teaching parenting groups or working individually with parents to provide parenting strategies and support. I have always been passionate about pregnancy and childbirth, dating back to my days as a candy striper in the labour and delivery unit. So, after the birth of my first child I decided to change my focus. I completed a Doula training seminar through Doulas of North America and began my journey to become a certified birth doula. I felt that becoming a doula allowed me to continue to support families in a way that I was passionate about. A friend invited me to attend her home birth and after this experience I was hooked. I saw how normal and natural childbirth is; it was a truly beautiful experience.

Today, I am a mom of two beautiful children. I have the privilege of supporting couples through one of the most memorable days of their lives and I have the opportunity to watch a baby join a family.

Janet Regts -Lactation Consultant

The areas of pregnancy, birth and early parenting have interested me since I was young enough for my Barbie dolls to have babies! In the years since then, I have been extremely fortunate to have been included in the pregnancies, births and breastfeeding experiences of many of my closest friends. Watching a new life enter the world and helping to give

him or her the best possible start to life is a great privilege and one that I treasure deeply. No matter where I turn, I seem to be surrounded by babies and I love every minute of it!

I have worked as a nurse in Maternity/Family areas for almost 10 years and have focused on postpartum and breastfeeding for the past four. I became an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant in 2006. I currently work part-time as a Lactation Consultant at a city hospital, pick up shifts at a physician-backed breastfeeding clinic and see clients privately in their own homes. On my days off work I love to go to birth/breastfeeding conferences – the more tropical the location the better!

Kathryn Schoenhals -Birth and Postpartum Doula

It took me until the birth of my second child for me to see the true wonder and empowerment of childbirth. My first child was born in the hospital after a long labour and many interventions. I thought “that was just the way it was.” After the natural birth of my second child in the hospital with a terrific doctor I knew then that things could be different.

I sought to learn all I could about childbirth. I took the DONA birth doula course to get some education and confidence under my belt. Then I became a Volunteer Labour Companion at the Peter Lougheed Hospital. There I provided care for people I had just met, many of them couples, but many more of them lone women with no support at all. Each and every one of those experiences resonates in my heart to this day and though we were strangers at the onset we were far from strangers after the birth. Birth brings people together. From there I joined CCEDA (formally CCEA) as a professional member in the summer of 2007 after completing their mentorship program.

Since then I’ve had a third child and this time I decided to hire a midwife. I had my daughter, Eliza, at home in the tub. It was the most beautiful and empowering experience ever! I am so thankful and proud that I allowed myself the opportunity to have the experience of a home water birth. And I got to crawl into MY bed and cuddle with my baby minutes after!

I truly believe that all women, especially with good support, can have an amazing and gratifying birth.

 

We hope that we will be able to support you in your journey through the childbearing year.