Stephanie Bernath CD, CPD (CBI)
Serving the Okanagan area.
Stephanie Bernath CD, CPD (CBI)
250-546-9525
I began attending births in 1995. I realized then that there was a growing birthing community and I wanted to be a part of it. I continued attending births freelance/uncertified for many years before I finally certified with Childbirth Intenational. As I was assisting women, I was also a birthing woman, with family beliefs and morals based on attachment parenting.
*I studied Herbalism through "Dominion Herbal College" Vancouver BC, 2002-03
*I trained in a doula workshop in 2003 with Charlotte Millington / Global Birth Institute, Victoria BC, 2003
I trained withChildbirth International for my doula certification. I researched other reputable doula certification courses, but I found CBI really met my needs.
I am very connected to natural childbirth, CBI offers certification for doulas who wish to reserve the right to attend unassisted births, while other reputable doula certification courses do not. The training I recieved made me very confident and knowledgable with my skills serving women pre and postnatal, and their families.
CBI offers evidence based training, physiology, communication and each student is assigned a personal trainer available for support and direction during the doula training journey and process. It is an excellent resourse for women wanting to enter the birthing community or to continue and expand their education as certified doula, certified post partum doula, certified childbirth educator, or certified lactation consultant.
http://www.childbirthinternational.com/
Credentials:
* Certified Childbirth and Labour Doula, CD (CBI)
* Certified Post partum Doula, CPD (CBI)
* Childbirth Educator
* Certified and Registered British Columbia Health Care Assistant (HCA)
*DIGNITY*EMPOWERMENT*RESPECT*
Birth Beautifully
I am currently continuing education, I have enrolled with The Midwives College of Utah, studying to become a second attendant/midwives assistant. This program entails:
*Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (AED, CPR Health Care Provider) (CERTIFIED)
*Neonatal Resuscitation (NRP)
*Vital Signs (blood pressure, pulse, respirations, temperature) (TRAINED)
*Basic Knowledge of the following: uterine tone, position postpartum ; blood loss postpartum ; body substance precautions ; knowledge of labour and birth ; knowledge of instruments ; administering an IV line ; intubation ; set up and clean up instruments for midwife ; knowledge of supplies, & drugs used by midwives ; forms and records ; transport and emergency procedures ; shoulder dystocia, hemorrage, breech ; non reassuring fetal heart tones, fetal heart patterns ; assisting waterbirth ; understanding Registered Midwifery in BC and practice protocols.
I was involved in a volunteer program called "Buddy Up For Breastfeeding" 2009.
A breastfeeding initiative offered by Interior Health, this program encourages mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first 6 months.
I am proud to offer my clients the wisdom of Honouring the Sacred Placenta traditions. I have studied these traditions and specialize in Placenta medicine. I share with my clients techniques to safely, respectfully, and traditionally honour their placenta for consumtion, medicine, keepsake, or burial.
Completed part 1 of a three level training program, 2 credit course for the HUG training and certification program. A childbirth educator course in helping new parents recognize newborn zones and teach comforting techniques.
I am a BC Certified and Registered Health Care Assistant.
I have my Standard First Aid with CPR level C and AED.
I have my Food Safe Certificate (for safe placenta handling and encapsulation)
Across the world mothers love, care and nurture their babies. It is an amazing gift, a sacred, beautiful & wonderful event to witness.
Doula Contract
*Full Contract Fee
My fees are $500.00 for continual support through pregnancy, labour & birth, and postpartum care. All of my services and extra treats are available to my full contact clients for no extra charge.
*Labour Support Only Fee
Some women do not need ongoing support throughout their pregnancy. They may be attending prenatal classes elsewhere, and are able to meet their pregnancy and postpartum needs, but may require a doula's loving touch for labour support.
I am available to hire for labour support, with 1 prenatal visit to discuss choices and birth plan. My fee for labour support with one prenatal and one post partum visit is $250.00
For non clients or labour support clients my fees are:
*Belly Casting: $75.00 full belly & breasts
$35.00 belly only
*Birth Tub Rental: $25.00 per week (even if you do not use it, as I could rent it to another client) (If you tear, rip or pop the birth pool, replacement cost is $400.00 please)
*Cord Dehydration: $30.00
*Placenta Encapsulation: $125.00
*Prepare Placenta for Keepsake: $50.00
*Extra Prenatal / Post Partum visits: $30.00
*Post Partum Doula Care: $20.00 per hour
New For Homebirth Clients
~ TWO DOULAS FOR SUPPORT FOR THE PRICE OF ONE ~
I have collaborated ideas with Charlene Toews CD (DONA) and we have decided it would be beneficial for homebirth families to have the option of inviting 2 doulas into their sacred space of birth. Together Charlene and I can offer 2 times the support, and create a loving atmosphere to welcome your new baby. Although some mothers would prefer the privacy of having one doula in attendance, we want you to be aware that there is no extra charge for having two doulas. As a team Charlene and I split the fee of $500.00. (Belly casting/birth tub rental/ Placenta encapsulation etc not included, but can be added for extra charge)
Post Partum Support
I am available to hire for post partum services. My fee for post partum services is $20.00 per hour. A more detailed explanation of my post partum services are explained in the website section "Birth Offerings".
Birth Agreement
After our initial meeting and interview to ensure your comfortability with my role as your birth doula, and we are a good match, you may decide to hire me as your birth doula. A deposit of $150.00 will need to be made. The remaining $350.00 (full contract) or $100.00 (labour support only) may be made in payments, and is due 2 weeks after the birth of your baby.
~The doula and birthing mother (& family) will get together for at least 3 personal prenatal appointments prior to birth, unless other arrangements are made. Your doula will accompany you to at least 1r DR/ OB and/or Midwife prenatal appointment, your doula will be available to attend a prenatal class with the birthing mother. Clients are welcome to borrow my videos and books, and birth pool if desired, massage, belly casting, peripad perparation... (FULL CONTRACT)
(OR ONE PRENATAL APPOINTMENT AT MY HOME OR YOURS FOR LABOUR SUPPORT ONLY CONTRACT.)
~The doula will maintain complete confidentiality of all details relating to your pregnancy and birth.
~The doula will be accessible by telephone or e mail for any questions or concerns.
~The doula is not here to make decisions or to enforce your decisions, but to help the mother (and father) to know their options and encourage them to enforce their own decisions.
~The doula will provide emotional and physical support to the mother (and father) during pregnancy and birth.
~The baby’s birth may not go as planned but that everyone involved in this contract will do everything within our power to fulfill the obligations of this contract.
~ The doula will not perform any medical procedures, including but not limited to : vaginal exams, fetal heart rates, blood pressure readings etc.
~The doulas presence lifts the sole responsibility of labour off the shoulders of the other birth partners, allowing them to enjoy the whole birth process. At no time will I “take over” I am there to support your family and the especially the mother, stepping back when appropriate, as family members may want more involvement. (if this choice has been made.)
~The doula will strive to maintain a calm and peaceful birth environment.
~The doula is not working for the hospital or the midwife, but is hired by the mother (and father.)
~The doula will come to your home when labour begins, or as soon as the mother requests it.
~ The doula will be available to you 24/7 from 2 weeks prior to your EDD, until the birth of your baby.
~The doula will remain with you once active labour begins, until one hour after the birth, but is able to have food and bathroom breaks. (or short naps if labour is long)
~ The doula will visit your home after birth, when you request to review your birth, talk about breastfeeding, and postpartum healing. The doulas services terminate 2 weeks after the birth of your baby.
~The doula is available for hire as a post partum doula, to aid breastfeeding, answer questions, help with minor household chores available for $20.00 per hour.
Your obligations to your doula:
~I agree to make a birth plan, and discuss this with my partner, doula, and caregiver.
~I agree to keep the doula informed of any changes in our situation or health, prior to labour and delivery.
~ I agree to call the doula when first signs of labour begins so she can make arrangements to attend our birth.
Clients Name:
Clients signature:
Financial contract obligations
*A deposit of $150.00 will be due when You decide you wish to employ me as your doula. The remainder of can be made in payments and is due 2 weeks post partum, after the birth of your baby. Either a full contract of $500, or partial contract of $250.
*If for any reason you do not call me during labour, or decide to cancel this contract at any time before the delivery of your baby the TOTAL BALANCE we agreed to in this contract is still due, (due to the fact I have turned away clients with the same EDD, and the time and energy spent)
*If your baby arrives unexpectedly at home with me present, you and your partner will be responsible for the delivery of your baby. After the birth of your baby, I can help by documenting times, waiting for the midwife, assessing blood loss, safely assisting delivery and care of placenta (lotus), assisting with breastfeeding, or arrange transport by ambulance to the hospital if you choose. I am not responsible for delivering your baby or performing any clinical skills related to the delivery of your baby. TOTAL BALANCE of contract is due.
*If you have called me in labour, and I am on my way, sometimes labour progresses quickly... and baby may be born minutes before I arrive at your home or hospital. Full payment is still required. A doulas worth is more than labour and delivery. If we decide to itemize, we can come up with a special agreement as follows (to a maximum of $500.00) depending on which services you utilized:
Retaining Fee $150
Belly casting $70
Birth Tub Rental $25 per week
Prenatal visits $30 each
Cord Dehydration $30
Placenta encapsulation $125
Post partum time (following birth) $20 per hour (as there is much work to be done esp at homebirth, launry, tub clean up, placent prints and care, assisting midwife, assisting father, breastfeeding support, photographs, etc)
A doula really commits to her clients, turning away other prospectable full payment clients for the 2 weeks prior or following your EDD, and my ``being on call`` time.
In signing this contract you agree that I have discussed all the points herein and you understand and agree with them.
Clients Name Clients Signature
Date
Doulas Name
Doulas Signature
Date
Deposit received $
Balance received $
Payment details:
Location:
Stephanie Bernath CD, CPD (CBI)
250-546-9525
Armstrong BC
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Stephanie Bernath CD
Holding hands during transition.
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Stephanie Bernath CD
Mama, father, grandmother, me, and in the background I was honoured to work with midwife, Allison Campbell., from Pomegranate Community Midwives.
http://www.pomegranate-midwives.com/Bios/AllisonCampbell.html
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Stephanie Bernath CD
Double Hip Squeeze technique during labour.
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Stephanie Bernath CD
Applying cool cloths during transition.
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Stephanie Bernath CD
Gentle beautiful labouring mama and dad.
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