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When I gave birth to my daughter, Ella, in April of 2000, my life changed. Not only was I blessed with my beautiful little girl, I also discovered the beauty of pregnancy and childbirth. Since then I have been pursuing my dream of working with expectant families empowering them to have a truly satisfying birth and postpartum experience.
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As far as my educational training goes, I am an ICEA (International Childbirth Education Association) certified Childbirth Educator, Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Certified Hypnobabies Instructor, a Postpartum Doula and Placenta Encapsulation specialist.
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My "real life" training includes being a Momma to my wonderful daughter (2000), my son (2009) and carrying twins as a Gestational Surrogate for an amazing family in 2006.
After being in this field for years, I know that Ive found my calling. I absolutely love what I do and I think that every family I work with can see that.
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Lactation Services
I am available to meet with you for private, individualized help if you and your baby need assistance with breastfeeding. You may consider a private consultation for the following: Prenatal breast assessment, attachment and positioning techniques, assessment of feeding, and much more.
To Schedule an appointment please contact me at akurtyka@confidentbeginnings.com
Placental Encapsulation
Why encapsulate your placenta?
“Baby blues” is a common occurrence – 80% of mothers experience it in the first days and weeks after giving birth. Because it is so common, nothing is typically done about it until it worsens into a diagnosis of postpartum depression, at which time anti-depressants may be prescribed. Anti-depressants, like almost all drugs, are passed to the baby through breastmilk, and mothers who don’t want to expose their babies to these medications are often faced with the decision to either stop breastfeeding or struggle with depression. Women suffer through the baby blues almost as a rite of passage to motherhood – but it doesn’t have to be this way.
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For more information on Placental Encapsulation see the Placental Encapsulation page.
www.confidentbeginnings.com
 Christabel Tabbada
Christabel Bio: Pregnancy and women’s health
Christabel Tabbada is a California State and Nationally Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist. As a mother, her passion lies in the areas of women's health (hormonal regulation and fertility), pediatrics, and family medicine.
Her studies in China, never ending quest for knowledge, and profound personal experience, enable Christabel to both understand and effectively treat issues around the female cycle (including fertility) in addition to providing both pre and post natal care, including breech baby turning and natural birth induction.
She is relied upon by many of Orange County’s best midwives and doulas and has worked extensively with clients of Aqua Natal Birth Center in Chino, CA
Christabel is a pediatric specialist and has treated her children with Chinese Medicine since birth. She uses pediatric acupuncture in addition to pediatric tui na (massage) and specially designed pediatric herbal formulas. She can be reached at (949) 355-3868 or at her website at www.tabbadaacupuncture.com.
 Kendall Manwill
Bio: Kendall Manwill, MSW - Support For New Moms
Throughout my life I have been drawn to helping and serving others. I believe our lives should be fulfilling and joyful and that all of us, no matter where we come from, have the capacity to achieve what we deserve. In my practice I use traditional talk therapy, combined with art, music, and discussions of spirituality (when relevant) to help you unlock the strengths you didn't know you had and begin to use them to create the life you want to live.
I offer one-on-one counseling sessions, as well as support groups for new mothers. As a mother myself, I know how challenging the transition to motherhood can be. It is important for your health and the health of your baby that this transition be as positive and empowering as possible.
I am Associate Clinical Social Worker (reg 26012) with over 6 years of experience working with individuals, families, and children in a one-on-one or group counseling setting. I received my Bachelor's degree in Social Welfare from U.C. Berkeley and my Master's in Social Work from USC. I am currently practicing under the supervision of Kate Nulty, LCSW (lcs 19816) as I work to complete the state requirements for licensure.
To inquire about counseling services or schedule an appointment, please call (310) 774-1889 or email kendallmanwill@gmail.com. You may also visit www.kendallmanwill.com for more information about my practice.
Bio: Chai B. Benson, M.S., MFTI, CIMT
Chai Benson has a Masters of Science in Child Development and Family Studies, is a Certified Infant Massage Instructor, and in the process of receiving her infant mental health specialist endorsement. She was the Mental Health and Disabilities Manager for a small home-based Early Head Start program in Los Angeles for 2 years where she helped families find resources for social support and mental health well being, developmental and social emotional screening for infants/toddlers, and postpartum depression support. Currently, she works with couples, families and children in Long Beach as a solution-focused Registered Marriage and Family Therapy Intern. She also organizes and facilitates workshops on infant massage and stress management for parents and diverse couples.
www.BabyAwareness.com
562.506.6103
CRADLE OF LIFE MIDWIFERY CARE
Susan Barie, CNM
Susan believes that the baby’s first moments on this earth are sacred and should be handled with love, care and mindful preparation. Susan enjoys supporting a woman achieve her goals of giving birth naturally. She respects the bonding process that can and should take place between a mother and her child during the first moments of life.
She has been attending births since 1983 as a Registered Nurse. Additionally, she has been a nationally board certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner since 1994 providing care to women of all ages. Susan accomplished her long term goal of achieving a Master’s of Science in Nursing and became a Certified Nurse Midwife in 2008.
Susan has helped nearly numerous babies come into the world in the hospital, birth center, and home. She supports modern studies which overwhelmingly support out of hospital birth as a very safe practice when done correctly.
She has experience in assessing any pregnancy birth situation for safety. She is certified and experienced in Neonatal Resuscitation and CPR. She recognizes her limitations and will not hesitate to refer clients to a doctor or, if needed, to transfer a mother (or baby) to hospital care. Susan monitors mothers and babies closely during labor and postpartum and has on-hand emergency equipment should a need arise.
Susan believes that education and preparation are important keys to a healthy pregnancy successful natural birth. She feels that every mother has the opportunity and responsibly to learn from the latest studies regarding pregnancy and birth.
Specializing in: Home Waterbirth
For more information please call Susan at 310-833-6526 or 424-264-0297
 Bio: Lysa Quealy
Lysa Quealy CD(DONA), MT, HCHD is a mother of two boys and a DONA-certified birth doula. She is also a member of DASC (Doulas Association of Southern California). She has been offering massage therapy services since 1994 and has a California State Massage Therapy Certification. She studied massage therapy at the Institute of Psycho-Structural Balancing. Lysa has been certified in Pregnancy Massage since 1998. To enhance the health and well-being of her clients, she continues to expand her knowledge of bodywork techniques and therapies, including Upledger Cranio-Sacral Therapy, Reflexology, and Thai Yoga Massage. Her services are focused on support and the individual needs of each person.
For more information please contact me at frontdesk643@yahoo.com www.LAHarborHealthGroup.com
Bio: Lorraine Shorman, CD(DONA), HCHI
I took my "official" doula training in 2000 and quickly fell in love with what being a doula was all about. I became certified in 2001 and since then have passionately delved into the childbirth field by taking further trainings and continuing education by becoming a Hypnobabies Educator, Lactation Educator, Childbirth Educator, Infant Massage Instructor and Perinatal Support Specialist, offering labor support, breastfeeding education, prenatal massage, infant massage, and hypnosis education to women, to help empower and nurture them through the childbearing year.
I have been married to my wonderful husband Don for 18 years and I have 3 children; Zack 17, Alexis 14, and Heather 8. They are very supportive of my endeavors and I could not fulfill my dreams without them!
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April Kurtyka