About

 

 
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Edith Cuellar Mata

Born and raised in Monterrey, NL, Mexico into a family of health care professionals, I formed a passion for helping people from a young age, and more into the power of public health. I pursued a B.Sc. in Chemistry before immigrating to Canada in 2006. Then, enrolled at Simon Fraser University to pursue a second degree as a BA in Health Science with a double minor in Labour Studies and Latin American Studies.

 I also have a strong background in community engagement, particularly focusing on immigrant and refugee rights and access to health care, focusing on migrant farmworkers and maternal and child health care. After the difficult pregnancy and birth of my daughter Elena and finding myself in the unique position as a Mexican-Canadian and not having strong social support around the postpartum time, I imagine how much more difficult it would be for new immigrants and refugees, nonetheless, just mothers in Canada who also face such difficulties, and hoped to become part of the change and be part of the support system of a family while facing such vulnerable and special time in the life of a person.

 I am blessed to have a great friend who was a doula and exposed me to the birthing world and also was my own doula! I’m a DONA birth and postpartum doula, I’ve trained with Penny Simkin, Kathie Lindstrom and Jalana Grant, and AJ Hadfield and I feel blessed to have had the best start at this amazing career. I have recently certified with Barbara Harper for Waterbirth and Gentle Birth and became a Blissborn Certified Educator.

For the last four years, I have been an active volunteer with the Umbrella Multicultural Health Co-op and was elected to the board of directors in 2014 which we provide cultural and language-oriented health services to individuals with health insecurity, such as migrant farmworkers and supports and facilitates workshops for UMHC’s “Voces Maternas” (Maternal Voices) program which focuses in maternal-infant health.

I’m proudly a Pathway 3- IBCLC Candidate who has CPR-First Aid OFA 3 and I’m hoping to become a Lactation Consultant and Perinatal Educator in the future in order to reach out and support more families in the future. Lastly, I’m also a Certified Carseat Tech with CPSAC!