At the CCEA we believe in the importance of providing superior professional service. If you have any questions or concerns regarding our pre or post natal classes or doula services please do not hesitate to contact us at 403 281 9485 or email us at calgarychildbirth@gmail.com

Statements of Philosophy

The CCEA believes:

· Pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and early parenting are natural life processes uniquely significant to each individual and family.

· Having a baby involves significant changes in every aspect of the parents’ lives.

· Women and their partners can identify their own needs and are central to the planning of services to meet their needs.

· Pregnancy and childbirth are most often normal physiological processes.

· Pregnancy and birth are the safest when they proceed with no unnecessary medical interventions.

· When complications arise in pregnancy or childbirth, medical technology can improve the probability of healthy outcomes for mother and baby.

The CCEA is committed to offering services that meet the needs of the childbearing families through:

· Helping women and their partners learn abut childbirth options.

· Providing information about the natural process of childbirth and the appropriate use of medical technology in childbirth.

· Supporting women and their partners in their choice of childbirth alternatives.

· Enhancing women and their partners coping skills for relaxation and comfort in childbirth.

· Enhancing the confidence of women and their partners in relation to coping with childbirth and early parenting.

· Providing labour support for the woman and her partner.

· Providing breastfeeding and early parenting support.

Childbirth Educator Qualifications:

Childbirth Education preparation through a recognized certificate program, or

Be qualified for midwifery practice in AB and have experience teaching childbirth preparation

Co-teaching a series with a Professional CCEA Childbirth Educator.

Labour Support Qualifications:

Labour support/doula preparation through a recognized workshop (such as DONA or CAPPA), and

Previous experience supporting labouring women with a background in either midwifery, labour and delivery nursing, childbirth education, or a professional doula (defined as attending at least 30 births), or completion of the CCEA mentoring program, and

Attending a minimum of 5 births as a doula

Shadowing at 2 births with a Professional CCEA doula.

Postpartum Doula Qualifications:

Preparation through a recognized workshop (such as DONA or CAPPA), and

Previous experience supporting new families with a background in either Public Health Nurse/Post Partum Nurse, Lactation Consultant or Breastfeeding Counsellor, midwifery, or a professional postpartum doula (evaluated at application to join group).

Lactation Consultant Qualifications:

Experience as either an IBCLC -  International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, or Public Health Nurse (0-2month team), or Breastfeeding Counsellor preparation through a recognized course (Maureen Fjeld, NCT).