Here's my official introduction!
Stephanie Brandt Cornais, is a Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Infant Massage Instructor, Happiest Baby on the Block Certified Instructor, Certified Doula, Certified Yoga Instructor, she has been trained and certified through Birthing From Within, and Itsy Bitsy Yoga, she is a Reiki Master, and holds a BS in Environmental Science.
She started babysitting infants at age 11, and before becoming a mother herself, she was a Nanny for 5 years. Most of her time was spent with one family, taking care of two precious little girls, Ava and Ella, who are twelve months apart in age. Ella is also her Goddaughter.
On 11.11.09, she finally became a Mother herself. I say finally, because literally, she has been waiting to be a mother since she was 5 years old. Penelope Nadyne Cornais (named after Stephanie's paternal grandmother) was born at home, in water and into her own two hands. Although, she had the birth of her dreams, breastfeeding was extremely difficult and you can read more about it here.
Stephanie has always loved movement as a way to release and relax, starting with her early days as a dancer. Dance is what brought her to yoga at age 13.
She loves to be creative and is a natural storyteller. Both yoga and being creative have helped her heal old wounds, and she enjoys sharing her wisdom with women and mothers in our now global, online community.
Her desire is to help women and mothers create a truly supportive community in which to grow, learn and heal on every level; mental, emotional, physical and spiritual.
She used to do this through mentoring and helping women, by teaching her classes and owning her yoga studio and organic boutique. Now, she inspires mama's here on the Mama and Baby Love website, while she is a work at home mama to Penelope, the love of her life.
She hopes that mama's find who they truly are through their own self-discovery process. She views birth and parenting as sacred, soul experiences that are opportunities for personal growth and exploration. She believes that the specific way in which we birth or raise children does not matter, but only that parents are present, conscious, mindful and bring unconditional love to each moment.
Beautiful! I'm so proud to have you as a friend.
ReplyDeleteI love this site, I always come here and review all the natural living post, especially when my children are sick, or just to find something informative.
ReplyDeleteAw, Lia, thanks! I am proud to have you as a friend too!
ReplyDelete@CarolM, thanks so much for letting me know, I really appreciate knowing that people are finding our blog helpful.
I'm currently going through my DONA birth and postpartum doula certification! So Excited! Any advice?
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Valerie! The world always needs more Doulas. I would get in touch and form a support network of other Doulas in your area. If you have any questions, let me know!
ReplyDeleteI am a grandma and I'd like to share the experience our family had with a doula in the hopes doulas will be sensitive to their position. I resented the doula's involvement in the birth of my grandchildren (twins). The doula ushered me out of the labor room with a "Let me show you where the waiting room is..." My daughter-in-law had asked me to be with her. The doula later said to my son, "I get a real high being seeing a baby born." I'd like to suggest to doulas, that you are not going to be the ones who stay with the parents for those first weeks. You're not the ones who will be babysitting with the child as they grow. You are there to follow the instructions of the mother, to ascertain her wishes prior to the birth and to follow those wishes. A birth is a family affair. You are there for a short time in the life of this family, it is not about you.
ReplyDeleteHi Martha, Thanks for sharing your experience. It sounds like you are not happy with your experience with a Doula and have some pent up resentment. I do know that there are good Doulas and some not so good Doulas. But would also like to add that the job of a good Doula is to protect the space for the mother, so maybe your daughter in law asked the Doula to escort you out, so you would be mad at the Doula and not her. I have had that happen before, where the birthing mother did not want to cause a scene or hurt feelings but absolutely did not want anyone else in the room. I personally would never want my mother in law at my birth. You are right it is not about the Doula, or the Grandma, it is about Mama and Papa and Baby. That is the family the affair is about, no one else.
ReplyDeleteYes, I probably do have 'pent up resentment' given the fact my daughter-in-law asked me where I went and why wasn't I there when the boys were born and has over the years said that she wished I could have been with her. Your spin on the doula taking the heat for a mother may be right for some, but not in this case. My daughter in law and I have a close relationship. She would be honest with me and not ask someone else to tell me her desire.
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