Announcing CAPPA Ecuador!
Posted on Monday, July 26th, 2010 · Permanent link to the post
Contact: Tracy Wilson Peters FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ph: 888-My-CAPPA
Email: info@cappa.net
Web: www.cappa.net
CHILDBIRTH AND POSTPARTUM PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION (CAPPA) ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF CAPPA ECUADOR
July 23, 2010, Lawrenceville, Georgia, USA. CAPPA announced today the launch of their new branch in Ecuador, and introduces CAPPA Ecuador Executive Directors Jennifer Bertha and Priscilla Loor. More information is available at www.cappa.net/.
New CAPPA branches will recognize the common experiences of the country, and education will therefore be tailored to regional needs. Using global CAPPA standards, different regional medical models, cultural and historical practices, and experiences that are specific to each branch, as well as tailored certification and advanced programs, we will meet the client needs of the area. Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Tracy Wilson Peters said, “CAPPA Ecuador will provide excellent training and certification options to those who would like to become childbirth professionals within Ecuador. Labor Doula and Lactation Educator materials presented by CAPPA Faculty living in Ecuador will have the largest impact on an entire nation of new and expectant parents, who will benefit immediately from the increase in trained childbirth and lactation professionals.”
The first step in preparing for the launch was for Executive Directors, Jennifer Bertha and Priscilla Loor to translate the training manuals and certification packets into Spanish. They will use these materials in addition to using preexisting lactation education materials. CAPPA Ecuador plans to start conducting Labor Doula and Lactation Educator trainings, on a regional level in Latin America, since this is the greatest demand for CAPPA trainings. Gradually, CAPPA Ecuador will incorporate Childbirth Educator and Postpartum Doula curricula and training. “Having the birth doula and lactation education curricula in Spanish provides the best opportunity to impact maternal child health in Ecuador.” says Ms. Peters. Positive changes can increase the health and well-being of families and also facilitate nation to nation implementation. What helps one birthing family in effect helps the global family.
CAPPA Ecuador Executive Directors
Jennifer Bertha, BA, CLE, CCCE, CLD, started her career in Corporate America as a systems analyst, after ten years she met her Ecuadorian husband and moved to Guayaquil to start a family, leaving her career behind with the intention of becoming a ‘stay at home mom’. After the birth of Ilona in 2005, and her wonderful experience breastfeeding her, Jennifer became disappointed at the fact that many of her friends were not breastfeeding their babies. Jennifer became involved in Priscilla Loor’s childbirth education classes. She then became CAPPA certified as a Lactation and a Childbirth educator, and two years later became a CAPPA certified Doula. She is also a Certified Infant Massage Instructor.
With Priscilla’s leadership, Jennifer started teaching childbirth education at the local hospital, and providing lactation consulting as needed. As the need became greater, the hospital Clinica Kennedy in Guayaquil became interested in their services, and formed the birth and breastfeeding center, CENIDEL (Center for Pregnancy and Breastfeeding), an independent entity with the leadership of Priscilla and Jennifer, and the backing of the hospital’s name. CENIDEL covers every need of a starting family: From natural family planning, to baby led weaning; including childbirth education courses, lactation consulting services, Happiest Baby on the Block classes (©Dr. Karp), and Infant Massage. CENIDEL also holds monthly breastfeeding support meetings, and the sale of Breastfeeding Paraphernalia, such as breastfeeding pumps, slings etc.
Priscilla Loor, IBCLC, CHBE, ICCE, CNFPE, is a certified nurse who did her practices at the local maternity hospital, where 100 babies are born every day. Bothered by the treatment the women faced, she decided to become a childbirth educator and doula to improve the experiences of women during labor and birth. Today, Priscilla has more than ten years experience teaching childbirth education, with one of the most important hospitals in the city of Guayaquil. She also became interested in breastfeeding when taking specialty courses in Costa Rica; one of the countries in Latin America with the most rigid breastfeeding laws.
Priscilla and Jennifer Bertha formed CENIDEL, the Breastfeeding and Pregnancy center of the Clinica Kennedy in Guayaquil, to formalize and centralize all of the services that for years were done informally and upon request of birthing mothers.
Ms. Peters said, “I am extremely excited about the launch of CAPPA Ecuador. Jennifer Bertha and Priscilla Loor are committed to the CAPPA vision and mission. They understand the needs within Ecuador, and are willing to do the work to make a difference,”
This new branch will increase confidence in the birth and postpartum information and resources shared with expectant and postpartum families. Promoting a culturally safe environment, recognition of changing demographics, and implementation of support strategies for growing diverse and vulnerable populations will also bring positive changes. CAPPA currently has branches in North America, Canada, India, and Israel. Each CAPPA branch is better suited to be a change agent in a local and national capacity.
CAPPA
PO Box 491448
Lawrenceville, GA 30049
