Hi! My name is Caroline and I am from Columbus, Ohio. I am new to the group
and thought I would send out an intro email... (see below)

I look forward to exchanging ideas and sharing info!

Thank you,
Caroline Schleappi

The "Columbus Doula"
Online at www.ColumbusDoula.com
Phone (614) 876-6073

Professional Profile

I have served as a Labor Doula for 23 families (as of 12/31/2005). These
births included a wide variety including medicated and unmedicated; vaginal and
cesarean. I was a "part time" birth doula from 2003 through May 2005. I am now
a full time doula accepting two to three labor clients per month. I have
assisted labor clients at every major hospital in Central Ohio (I have not
assisted at a home birth). I have assisted clients who were patients of an
OB/GYN, patients of a midwife and a patient of a family physician. I have
worked with clients who have used Lamaze, Bradley, HypnoBirthing & similar
techniques during their labor.

I was trained by a DONA International (Doulas of North America) certifying
training seminar in June 2005.

I have served many families as a postpartum doula. I have worked with first
time parents who need help adjusting to life with baby and parents with older
children who need additional help. I have supported mothers and families with
postpartum depression, breast/bottle feeding, baby care education, sibling
preparation, child proofing and general care of mother and child. I did over
800 hours of postpartum work in 2005.

Prior to my work as a labor & postpartum doula, I was a professional nanny for
over 5 years specializing in newborns/infants and young toddlers. In 2004 I
attended CAPPA's (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association) postpartum
doula certifying training seminar. In addition to my experience and formal
training, I became certified in all State of Ohio childcare-licensing
requirements (and many elective courses) in 2004.

In February 2006 I expanded my career in family care with my Professional
Childbirth Eductor certification through Advanced Birthing Concepts (one of the
most sought-after training entities in North America). I plan on using the
skills I have acquired to enhance my private classes and teach group classes
through area medical offices/ organizations. In April 2006 I studied Dr. Harvey
Karp’s “5 S’s” and became a certified “Happiest Baby on the Block” Educator.
Dr. Karp’s simple program teaches parents how to initiate the calming reflex in
fussy or colic-prone babies. I am the only certified educator in Central Ohio.

Continuing Education

I want to ensure I provide quality family care services as well as the most
updated health information. I have attended several childbirth related
seminars. Most notably I attended the 2004 International Childbirth and
Postpartum Professional Association Convention & Conference. I regularly attend
various childbirth, infant/child development & parenting workshops at The
Columbus Children's Hospital and The Elizabeth Blackwell Center at Riverside
Hospital. This year I will focus on re-certifying in the two-year State of Ohio
childcare-licensing requirements, study to become Lamaze certified (by
mid-2007), host 2 major workshops for birth professionals and attend several
regional perinatal conferences.

Affiliations and Volunteer Work

I am a member of DONA, CAPPA, and BirthWorkers of Central Ohio. I am the former
President and Education Director of PRO-MOM (Parent's Resource Organization -
Mothers On Mothering). In 2005 I taught free Baby Care classes once a month at
the two area Babies R Us stores. I also took two pro-bono military clients in
2005 whose partners were serving overseas or across the country.

Personal Profile

I have two children - a boy (born 5/2003) and a girl (born 3/2006) - both
delivered at Riverside Hospital. My son’s birth was a 30+ hour labor with many
interventions, 4 hours of pushing, ended in a cesarean and caused many
postpartum/recovery problems. When I was pregnant with my daughter I was
diagnosed with gestational diabetes and was labeled “high risk” by my OB/Gyn’s
office. Her birth was a wonderful – a successful VBAC; delivered by a midwife.
I have personally experienced many different aspects of labor as well as
observed them in my labor and postpartum clients. I feel these experiences help
me as a doula and educator. I can easily relate to the fears and concerns many
families face and help them control their worries with evidence-based education
and stories of my experiences.



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