Passion for Birth - Childbirth Educator Training

Park Service

2011-10-31T08:00:00.000-07:00

"When a penguin is hungry, a penguin needs to eat!" I smiled when I spotted this pic - as a member of a Park Service family, it made me proud!

The Great Presenter

2011-10-08T08:00:00.000-07:00

I drafted a tribute to Steve Jobs earlier this week and then never hit "publish." I reflected back to how my first experience/exposure to computers was when I was a student at the University of Michigan in the early 70s and I had a work-study position at the Ecology Center. We drove around to all the computers on campus and picked up those boxes of cards with the chad marks that they produced as part of their operating system....and now as I type this on my MacBook Air (which I love) it reinforces how far we have come! And a lot of it is due to Steve Jobs vision.

But I liked what Nancy Duarte shared about his skill as a presenter:

Jobs Sparkline Resonate Workshop from Duarte Design on Vimeo.

Way to go, Tammy!

2011-10-05T08:00:00.000-07:00

I was reading the International Doula and was happy to see that Passion for Birth grad, Tammy Arbeter had been awarded the Penny Simkin Award for Doula Spirit and Mentoring! Way to go Tammy! I loved the story that was shared about how she had recently fallen and broke both hands, her nose and her foot. "...the next week, in casts and with a bandaged nose, there she was teaching a class!"

Tammy is one of the amazing individuals that has such positive energy and enthusiasm that it is contagious! I "borrowed" her picture from the Philly Doula Co-op where she is a member. The doulas you mentor and the women and their families you teach/provide labor support are so lucky to have you in their lives. And why should a couple broken limbs slow you down? Hats off to you Tammy!

The Truth about Cesarean rates clip

2011-10-04T08:00:00.000-07:00

Someone shared this clip on Facebook and thought I would post here for those who missed it:

Too many choices in childbirth class presentations?

2011-10-03T08:00:00.000-07:00

Is it time to evaluate the impact of presenting birth as lots and lots of choices? I loved Schwartz's book, the Paradox of Choice.

I love TED talks! They are the perfect length.

How many choices does a woman have about childbirth?

And then I found this one....

Or want to think more about choice, listen to this NPR program with Jonah Lehrer, author of How We Decide.

If you are ever stuck on a boring webinar....

2011-09-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

I know we all do it - when you are stuck on a boring webinar, don't most of us answer email, IM with friends, balance our bank accounts, etc. When you are all done with those things and the non-interactive webinar is droning on, unaware that you have tuned out.... remember this site: Draw a stickman and have some fun. Here is my first attempt! And once you click done, it even gets animated!

"Passioneers" in the news

2011-09-24T08:00:00.000-07:00

Passion for Birth has a group of stellar (rock star?) facilitators that lead our workshops. Ann Tumblin is truly gifted at interactive facilitation. Lately I have noticed she is in the news.

Annually we have a workshop at her home in Topsail Beach, NC. The local paper captured her grandchildren on the beach and featured them on the front page:

Topsail Advertiser

And she also was a guest speaker at the midwifery program at Eastern North Carolina University when a local reporter visited. Midwifery: Putting skills into action

Way to go Ann - your two loves - those grandchildren and teaching about birth!

Our way is not always the only way to look at things

2011-09-22T08:00:00.000-07:00

I was sent the link to this short talk and when I watched it, it made my mind spin. How often do we assume what we know to be the way to do things might not be the only way? What if doctors/midwives got paid more for healthy pregnancies and births?

Near Term Resource

2011-09-15T19:00:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Robin Weiss and her tweets from the Lamaze International Conference - she shared this video that was shown and is available to purchase for $10 at Northern New England Quality Improvement Network

Birth Story Project

2011-09-14T08:00:00.000-07:00

I stumbled upon this website and felt it was a resource that educators should know about:

The Birth Story Project

Do we promote "Decision Fatigue"

2011-09-11T08:00:00.000-07:00

We've all had the experience, I am sure, of being in a new restaurant and getting a menu with thousands of options. Don't most of us feel overwhelmed and instead of pondering all the choices, want to know the few items they make that are really delicious?

Having the great opportunity to teach with Penny Simkin this week, she told me about this article: Do You Suffer from Decision Fatigue?

And I found myself pondering the impact of how many childbirth educators teach about all the choices pregnant, laboring and parenting women and their families have... is that empowering or is that just overwhelming them? What do you think?

Hand expression

2011-09-08T08:00:00.000-07:00

Finally, here's a short clip to show how to hand express without a care provider grabbing the woman's breast or putting band aids on the breast as if that's the only place to put her hand.

I feel strongly that all women should be taught in their childbirth class how to hand express to deal with engorgement or separation.

Would you use this video?

Teen doula featured

2011-09-07T08:00:00.001-07:00

I am lucky to be part of the doula training team at the Simkin Center for Allied Birth Vocations. Today I start co-presenting four days of birth doula training with Penny Simkin and it is an honor.

I have noticed in the last couple of trainings that we've had multiple participants who were still in their teen years. It was great reading this article about DONA's youngest certified doula.

You and your family are amazing, Liz!

2011-09-06T08:00:00.001-07:00

Liz came through the Passion for Birth program several years...she stood out at that point as being talented and passionate. I was happy when our paths crossed again at a DONA doula trainer program and then last fall when I was having a huge hotel headache at the Lamaze/ICEA conference. She was the calm support in the lobby!

It must have been right after that they became aware that her son had Myotonic Dystrophy, a form of Muscular Dystrophy. As they did further testing, her husband and other children also learned that they too had different levels of severity of the neuromuscular disorder. She was pregnant at the time and after her birth, learned the her daughter too has Myotonic Dystrophy. Her family's journey has been challenging but they are a team!

They were picked to be part of the MDA Labor Day Telethon and this is the clip that aired featuring their family:

If you are in the position to make a donation to the MDA, please do!

Change

2011-09-05T08:00:00.000-07:00

What do you do when OBs feel childbirth classes are unnecessary

2011-09-04T08:00:00.000-07:00

From a parent blog:

"I had asked the OB if/when she recommended childbirth classes and she said that she felt they were unnecessary, since there is so much research you can do on your own. At the recommendation of my mom and a couple of friends, however, I decided to sign up for the class.
Taking the class was a very, very good decision and I'm glad we did it. Yes, there were some things that we kind of already knew, but lots of new information and good tips."

As a childbirth educator, have you found effective ways to work with the care providers in your community?

Great visual aid

2011-09-03T08:00:00.000-07:00

Thanks Penny!

What a delightful format!

2011-09-02T08:00:00.000-07:00

Three doulas at the the kitchen table...answering random questions pulled from a "glittery" envelope...sharing, laughing, smiling! I have only watched a few but I have loved the ones I have watched!

They are available on YouTube or are also part of the recently launched One World Birth

Dance class or Lamaze class?

2011-09-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

Hmmm - I know Lamaze is the the most recognized name in childbirth education....but not sure how I feel about this ad as a pregnancy prevention message? Your thoughts?

New Australian DVD teaser

2011-08-31T08:00:00.001-07:00

Time to give up the learning style spiel!

2011-08-30T08:00:00.001-07:00

We at Passion for Birth have been beating this drum for awhile and it's nice to hear NPR coverage supporting what we've been saying! There is no evidence about learning styles!

"....This has spawned a learning style industry. ..... which is why Doug Rohrer, a psychologist at the University of South Florida, decided to investigate. When he reviewed studies on learning styles he found no scientific evidence backing up the idea"

People have ways they like to learn but there is no evidence that people learn easier one way or another based on their learning style. I have gotten so frustrated when I hear people say they have power point slides for the visual learners. I try not to sputter or demand to see their evidence... but I want to!

What is evidence based is that .... "all students benefit from variety.....Mixing things up is something that we know is scientifically supported as something that boosts attention. And we all sort of can feel this intuitively if you've been doing one thing for a long time and then something changes.
.....In fact scientists have found that variety boosts both attention and retention."

Most childbirth educators love to share the evidence around various medical interventions. It's time to review the evidence around how we practice!

Listen to the whole NPR interview:

Think You're An Auditory Or Visual Learner? Scientists Say It's Unlikely

Reading about how to play basketball

2011-08-29T08:00:00.000-07:00

I saw an interesting educational blog... describing how up in arms we would be if our children came home from school and we asked them that mandatory question - "what did you learn today?" And when they responded "basketball" and when asked if they practiced passing or dribbling or shooting, they responded "oh no, we talked/read about it...." Do you think there would be a little outrage?

I challenge you the same way - how much of what you teach in your cb classes by having them read or talk would be better off taught by practicing hands on or with active involvement in role plays?

It's frequently said that birth is not a cognitive activity...if an impartial observer watched our classes, what percentage of time would they say we spent preparing them through mental processes?

How do you handle your visual aids?

2011-08-28T08:00:00.000-07:00

I found this picture on a hospital website advertising their childbirth classes. What is your reaction?

We spend a little time in our workshops talking about handling props, especially babies in a respectful way. I understand wanting to make classes look "fun" but not sure if this makes that statement.

What pic would you use instead?

A classic

2011-08-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

This clip was always a favorite of mine and I remember showing it a lot when I first started teaching... a fun way to introduce the "breathing" and dispel myths.

Can playing a game be educational?

2011-08-26T12:02:00.000-07:00

Passion for Birth is venturing into on-line learning and I am trying to learn everything possible about the best, interactive options out there. Today I was on a webinar about using Gadgets and Games and they encouraged us to check out the on-line game at Get The Glass.
I have to tell you the first few minutes I spent there had my head reeling - what if the objective was to have a healthy birth instead of getting the glass? My imagination went wild! Go check it out and come back and comment your reactions! Don't focus on the theme - dream of what birth oriented theme we could develop!

Tribute to a true inspiration

2011-08-18T20:23:00.000-07:00

I normally try to focus on all things related to childbirth education but I want to take a moment and honor my friend who was such an inspirational person, Candy Lakin.

I first met Candy when we were teenagers and worked as camp counselors the summer of 74 in Cadillac, MI. For some reason we decided we wanted an adventure at the end of the summer, recruited a third friend and the day after camp ended, loaded up our clunky ten speeds and headed off on a cross country bike ride! And what an adventure it was - always heading into the wind, sleeping under picnic tables and fixing so many flat tires! This was before bike helmets, cell phones and lightweight bikes with many gears. Before we left I don't think any of us had biked more than 20 miles. We planned our route day to day (2400 miles and 42 days later we made it to WA, Candy had left by train a little earlier to start school at Chico in CA.) We often looked back and thought how did our parents ever let us go? I really think they didn't "let us go", they just couldn't stop us! What kept us going? I think it was because so many didn't think it could be done. We loved sending one particular non-supporter a postcard from each state we crossed into. Being three females, we were a rare site on the road and were often invited to stay in people's homes/yards. (better than the outhouse we slept in when a bear chased us) Long distance biking was pretty unique then.

Three years ago Candy developed ovarian cancer and fought an active battle against the invasion of those cancer cells into her body. She didn't let it stop her from her passions - canoeing, sailing, biking and doing so many projects to make it a better world. Her husband and three sons gave her support and companionship to do whatever needed to be done...

I saw Candy last month when I was back in Cadillac - at that point she was no longer able to eat/digest and she was taking every day as a gift. But I swear she was more active than 99% of others in the world. One of her sons had asked if there was anything that she hadn't gotten done that she would like help on in the final weeks. It was during that time that the dream of an "every woman" sculpture was born. Pictured is a first draft. I look forward to seeing how it changes and comes to life.

Candy died yesterday surrounded by family and friends. Every single one of us will carry the Candy spirit - making the world a better place. I know my friendship with her made me a better person!

Failure to progress

2011-08-13T10:03:00.000-07:00

Oh, how that term is discouraging! This clip produced by the Future of Birth makes a great point! Enjoy. Future of Birth says it is the first of a series and I am anxious to see what else they produce.

Breastfeeding week

2011-08-05T06:32:00.000-07:00

Dawn Kersula forwarded this clip that was created in her community! Thanks, Dawn for sharing!

Where did the month of July go?

2011-07-31T13:30:00.000-07:00

I just finished facilitating a 4 day Doula training with Sharon Muza at the Simkin Center of Allied Birth Vocations at Bastyr University They were an amazing group and it's always a treat to teach with Sharon. One of the sessions I led was on Prenatal Care and we do look at the difference between midwifery model care and obstetrical care. I wish I had stumbled upon on this YouTube before that session.

I really didn't mean to disappear for the month of July but the combination of a record number of PfB workshops/attendees in a month; continued saga of trying to reload my computer (on my third computer and most of the files are here but there are corruptions and big gaps.) Then I had to replace our wifi server as I couldn't get on-line for days and then my iphone died and had to be replaced....so I think just about every gadget has died and been replaced and now I can start plowing through the HUGE email backlog... I am not looking for sympathy, just patience.

I look forward to returning to a daily or so blog!

Taking a break to appreciate the "awesome"

2011-07-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

Latch On

2011-06-30T08:00:00.000-07:00

Will this bus be coming to a neighborhood near you? I am really intrigued by this bold advocacy. Let's see what happens!

Milk for Thought Unfortunately when it's in Seattle, I will be in Boston facilitating a two day breastfeeding workshop as part of the DONA conference.

Let me know if you spot it!

NPR's childbirth series

2011-06-29T08:00:00.000-07:00

Over the summer, NPR is following a group of pregnant women with a wide variety of situations. Should be very interesting.

The Baby Project

Vote for a dream

2011-06-28T08:00:00.001-07:00

Vote for a dream There's just a few days left to help Vicki Chan, a midwife in Australia, support midwives in Kenya! Click and vote for A Better World through Better Birth.

Still trying to access old files...

2011-06-28T08:00:00.000-07:00

Just spent 5 days driving over and back to Spokane and doing a three day Passion for Birth workshop with a group of talented, passionate, new and experienced childbirth educators. Several of the local participants were involved with BloomSpokane. Check out what a great resource they have created!

Sadly I am still waiting for my new computer to "restore" the files from my old one, so I am limping along, making due. I didn't have access to wifi on the road....so now we are back, chugging away. So instead of 277 years seen earlier, we are down to 2 weeks.....

Might be gone longer than I thought

2011-06-23T08:00:00.000-07:00

I use an on-line back-up service and it appears it is going to be longer than I expected until I get access:

Don't know to laugh or cry!

Taking a break

2011-06-22T05:06:00.000-07:00

Well, it was bound to happen. After 3+ trusty years, my computer spewed this awful smell and even after turning it off, had this crackling internal sound and then died.

I dashed off to the Apple store and after multiple consults which confirmed its death, purchased the slickest, lightest computer ever and came home to see if the trust I put in my back up system was worth it.....and two days later I am still waiting. AARRGGH.

So I am taking a few days off from blogging to focus on this ..... note to self, next time I purchase a back-up service, see how easy it is to reach the tech staff by phone!

I will be back.

A Dad's Flash Mob

2011-06-19T08:00:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Marilyn Hildreth for linking to this dad's flash mob on Facebook. I love the touch at the end. Happy Father's Day!!

Speed dating for your OB

2011-06-18T08:00:00.000-07:00

Is this happening in your area? OB Speed dating

A pregnant woman can sign up and meet no fewer than 10 doctors and have a 5 minute interview with each Reactions have been varied from "this is a great idea" to wondering why there is a need for this marketing push - is the birth rate decline having an impact? And a few clever comments were shared re: will they meet everyone in a practice so they know they are choosing someone that has less than a 15% chance of being at their birth to at least they will get use to only having 5 minutes for their typical appointments. One person discussed that it's more than what a lot of women do - many just check to see if the practice takes their insurance and are available.

And then there was a dislike for the use of dating in the title of the event. I know a lot of doulas do a social "meet and greet" which is a bit different than a structured speed dating scenario.

What are your thoughts?

Kirkpatrick

2011-06-17T08:00:00.000-07:00

For those of you who have attended a PfB workshop, you know the style of evaluation we model and advocate for is based on the work of Dr. Don Kirkpatrick. I just learned that he has retired this spring and I wanted to acknowledge his work. So if you are still evaluating your classes as to whether or not they liked you or were comfortable... I am going to encourage you to kick your evaluation up a few levels!

The Kirkpatrick Model

note: my adaptations are in the ( )
Level 1: Reaction

To what degree participants react favorably to the training

Level 2: Learning

To what degree participants acquire the intended knowledge, skills, attitudes, confidence, and commitment based on their participation in a training event

Level 3: Behavior

To what degree participants apply what they learned during training when they are back on the job (... they birth their babies or are in the early parenting days)

Level 4: Results

To what degree targeted outcomes occur as a result of the training event and subsequent reinforcement

What's the most important question you ask on your evaluation forms? Are you evaluating your program after the babies have arrived?

Thanks Dr. Kirkpatrick!

A headline that grabbed my attention

2011-06-16T08:00:00.000-07:00

Pregnant women show an amazing lack of knowledge about childbirth options, study shows.

This headline is based on a new study in JOGC . Read the abstract from the JOGC. The story in the LA times with the headline also includes:

Fewer than 30% of the women, all first-time mothers, said they had attended prenatal childbirth classes. Many said they used the Internet or books to become informed about childbirth. Still, a shockingly high number could not answer basic questions regarding the pros, cons or safety issues associated with epidurals, episiotomies, Cesareans and other childbirth options. The women who were receiving obstetrical care from midwives tended to be more informed about their options compared with women receiving care from a medical doctor.

Also notable: 18 % were planning to hire a doula. However when you read the abstract it is noted that 1/2 were in their first and second trimester.....which means the claim that fewer than 30% had taken classes misses the important fact that most women take classes in the 3rd trimester, So that number is NOT reflective of how many take classes.

What are your thoughts? Read a great article by Robin Weiss at about.com to see her perspective on why people may not be learning about options in their childbirth classes.

What a mother can do...

2011-06-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

this is HIV. live your life. (Cristina Pena) from EGPAF on Vimeo.

Pure fun

2011-06-14T08:00:00.000-07:00

Pure delight - may you have some today!

2011-06-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

Source: bayanjargal.com via Susannah on Pinterestl

I discovered a new tool - not quite sure how I will use it but it allowed me to embed this picture to share with you. Does anyone use Pinterest?

Great fathering resource!

2011-06-12T08:00:00.000-07:00

I haven't finished watching all of the New Dad Manual but decided to embed this first clip as a great sampling of their materials. I loved how he tackles that fathers don't "baby-sit" - they are parenting!
Watch them all! What do you think?

PERFORMANCE -MR MOM from Brian Russell on Vimeo.

Thanks to Renee Beebe of The Second Nine Months for sharing.

Do you encourage doodling?

2011-06-11T08:00:00.000-07:00

I am addicted to creative processes and loved this clip about doodling. You might need to watch on full screen to be able to read all of it....

With powerpoint being labeled "old fashioned", what's ahead?

2011-06-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

As I travel and lead workshops, the conversation inevitably begins to look at PowerPoint. There is generally a small gasp as we talk about how younger learners view PowerPoint as "old fashioned"....especially the "many bullets" versions that are popular. I think those who gasp have often just converted everything and thought they were now modern. Sorry.
So the question is often raised, so if that's old fashioned, what is next? Here is a version of what may be next. Animated, clever, high tech, engaging....the visual adds to what the facilitator is presenting.

Conferences

2011-06-09T08:00:00.001-07:00

I admit it, I am/was a conference addict. For about 8 years I was really involved in conference planning for Lamaze, initially as president and then as conference chair. I stumbled upon this article in Psychology Today that really addressed what I had felt were limitations of conferences.

Too often I would be so excited about hearing a "hero" speak and then they would go on and on and my mind would drift and come back but staying attentive stretched my attention span too often. Then they would end their session and the working through the "how to apply this to my life as a childbirth educator" would be left to sort out while I am dashing to get coffee in the exhibit hall or standing in line at the bathroom. Over the years I got more excited about the networking and socializing with friends from far corners of the world and thus, would often skip sessions and then buy a recording if someone said it was worthwhile. But if I knew speakers were incorporating "DEAQ" I would be tempted to attend more sessions.
DEAQ =
"Simply put, a session can't have more than 30 minutes of formal, pre-planned delivery. Within those 30 minutes, every 10 minutes there needs to be one of 4 interactive components:
• Digestion (which means just letting participants discuss the ideas amongst themselves).
• An Exercise, which means an activity that participants do alone or with each other to experience a model.
• An Application, which involves discussion about the applications or implications of an idea, often facilitated by a person that is not the presenter.
• And of course, Questions, which is a standard Q&A."

Read the whole article and share your thoughts...but we have to walk our talk and if we are pushing the field of obstetrics to be evidence based then we also need to make conferences and learning evidence- based, by incorporating how the brain works!

I'm going...are you?

2011-06-08T08:00:00.001-07:00

DONA International 17th Annual Conference! from DONA International on Vimeo.

Passion for Birth is doing a Childbirth Educator Training as a pre-conference (led by the dynamic Robin Weiss) and I am leading a two day Lamaze Breastfeeding Specialist pre-conference. Another Passioneer (Mary Jo Podgurski) is leading a one day post conference on supporting pregnant and parent teens and yet another Passioneer (Pat Predmore) is co-facilitating a Birth Doula training and a Training of Trainers!

So how about coming to the DONA conference? AND come early or stay late! Will we see you there?

The listening gap and smartphones

2011-06-07T08:00:00.000-07:00

So here is a fact:
The average adult in the United States speaks at approximately 125-150 words per minute. Most people's brains can comprehend and absorb 4-6 times that amount of information.

So what does that mean? That often results in a "listening gap." Traditionally people filled that gap by daydreaming or drifting off. Now? They want to just take a second to check their phone for any texts or FB updates or tweets or emails.

What's a childbirth educator to do? Engage them. Involve them. Give them something to do with their hands!

A great idea to share with your childbirth classes

2011-06-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

Got two minutes to share a very creative way to share memories with their baby to be? Would you add this to your childbirth class?

Risk - a great post to read

2011-06-05T08:00:00.000-07:00

BirthSense has written a great blog post based on the wise words of Andrew Kotaska, MD. that were shared at the recent ACNM conference. The session was titled: Normal Birth in an Industrial Age: Keeping Risk in Perspective. Every CBE should read it to broaden their understanding of risk. I have checked the ACNM website to see if a tape is available but so far, none are listed.

Speaking of risk, there is a graphic available as an iphone app - called visualizing risk. Thanks Sharon. Check it out. How could you use this in class?

Birth from the Backseat

2011-06-04T08:00:00.000-07:00

Talk about adventure! This birth doula, Lamaze educator and social worker traveled throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa on the back of a motorcycle. She shares some of her adventures in her blog - Birth from the Backseat and I look forward to hearing/reading more and hope Elizabeth will share the images she collected and interviews/discussions she had along the way...

Cake Wrecks and Awkward Family Photos

2011-06-03T08:00:00.000-07:00

Sharon Muza of Newmoonbirth shared a laugh over this entry on Awkward Family Photos blog: Read why there are so many pant-less people in the photo!

I use to get a giggle by reading a blog called Cake Wrecks Now a blogger has compiled recent baby related cake wrecks in a single post ... read Pregnant Chicken and weep or laugh!

Thanks Barb Hotelling for sharing!

Join us on a webinar!

2011-06-02T08:00:00.000-07:00

Want to join me on a webinar? Sign up at InJoy ! May the technology wizards, the bandwidth boosters and the computer speedsters be aligned for a fun time together!

Why I feel your "certification exam" shouldn't be part of your training.

2011-06-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

As long as I am on this childbirth education certification track of recent posts, I thought I would share another "pet peeve" and why I feel it's important for a childbirth certification exam to be separate from a training and not be open book.

Let's face it, as adults most (all?) of us don't like the idea of taking a test! Most of us thought those days were over when we finished school.... but as I survey the childbirth education certification sites, there is a whole range of options to become certified. From an essay style format to a test handed out at the end of a workshop to an open book test to a test that is offered in central locations at set times of the year.

We know that when you are leading childbirth education classes, questions are part of the engaging format that makes us effective. And for most participants I think it's a reasonable expectation that their educator should be able to handle almost all the questions put forth without having to say - "let me check my book/the web/the research." Yes there are those rare stumper questions that it's fine to say - "I've never been asked that and I will get back to you" but that's for the truly unique, unusual, atypical situations. The majority of questions you should have the knowledge to answer when they are asked. So I don't see how taking an open book test evaluates your skills/knowledge at answering common questions in the classroom.

Essays can be very insightful and can reflect your philosophy but do they assess your knowledge?

And what's wrong with handing out the test at the end of the workshop? Well as a test taker it would be nice not to have to retain what I learned in the workshop for months. As a workshop leader, how sweet it would be if I knew all the questions and could highlight the answers over the weekend. But that's not really the way it should be, is it? Because the folks I train CBEs for (Lamaze) have a blueprint of the exam but the actual exam questions always change, I have to spend the workshop motivating folks to learn a whole spectrum of information to pass vs. knowing the questions and making sure I cover them. I know that sounds a bit like unethical fingerpointing which I don't mean. But it would be hard if I had the exam in my bag, not to be influenced a little bit, wouldn't it? We see it in public schools - teaching for the test.

And constantly changing the exam and having a question bank is a lot of work. Why is that better than having several versions of the test with questions in a different order? In this electronic age, it's not too much to expect your certifying organization to have a higher caliber exam where there is no chance of anyone sharing specific questions to future test takers. Exam givers should also be tracking questions to see how they "perform" and if they perform poorly are there wording interpretations or cultural biases or something that inhibits it from performing well. If you are paying substantial fees to take an exam/become certified, it's a reasonable expectation that the organization has had their testing reviewed by a psychometrician at a minimum. While we are passionate about birth, there are people as passionate about certification and exam writing. Their knowledge and skills should be incorporated.

And is it reasonable to expect that organizations should be moving away from paper/pencil?

Before you start assuming that I am promoting what Lamaze does and minimizing the way others do it, I want to be clear that I value what I feel are current minimal standards in the world of certification. It's NOT vice versa, Lamaze does it this way so that's what I value.

I really do think independently and am a critical thinker. And I don't hold my feedback back....like I love the fact that Lamaze does do so much analysis of their test (just like IBCLE and ACNM) but I am certainly vocal that I wish they could be a little quicker with getting the results out there!

So this is another piece to evaluate as you choose who you will certify with..... informed decisions are better than looking back and feeling, geez I didn't know that was important when I picked this certification.

Discussion in the comments section is always welcome!

How is breastfeeding covered in a childbirth educator training?

2011-05-31T08:00:00.000-07:00

Recently I have been spending time on various childbirth educator training websites. I was really surprised to read that these were two of the objectives listed for one training:

Define three advantages and three disadvantages of breastfeeding for mother and baby.
Identify two techniques to assist mothers in initiating bottle feeding.

There were no objectives about any techniques regarding initiating or sustaining breastfeeding. I have met so many women who stopped breastfeeding because they didn't have the support to overcome some of the common "bumps in the road" when initiating breastfeeding. Haven't met any one who was unsuccessful in initiating bottle feeding (unless they are talking about those babies who are successfully breastfeeding and mothers need to switch to a bottle....but should that be one of the two feeding objectives? Especially when that hurdle usually happens beyond the time scope focused on during prenatal classes.)
What do you think is one of the disadvantages of breastfeeding for the baby?
So when you were choosing the childbirth education training program you attended, did you look closely at the objectives?

CEU vs. contact hour

2011-05-30T08:00:00.000-07:00

For some, the difference between a ceu and a contact hour is no big deal while for others, the incorrect use of the terms is a pet peeve.

I will always be indebted to Cathy Heise for breaking me of the habit of using "CEUs" when contact hours is really what I meant. Cathy and I were on the Lamaze Education Council at the same and I was a creature of habit and preferred typing the three letters of CEU vs contact hour.

What is the difference? Basically a ceu is equivalent to 10 contact hours. Just do a search of contact hour vs CEU and you will see tons of sites that address the difference.

In 1970 a national task force of volunteers met to establish a form of credit for continuing education different from the semester system used in higher education. That credit was named the "Continuing Education Unit" and has come to be known as the "CEU". A CEU is defined as:

"Ten contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction."

The International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) is the founder and guardian of the CEU and determines the criteria for awarding CEUs."

Is your childbirth education group using the correct term?
In addition, if you are looking at a group to certify with, do they only offer only their in-house/organization based contact hours or have they completed the additional steps/investment/scrutiny to also get approval to offer contact hours from another organization like a nurses' or doula or Lactation Consultant (IBCLE) organization?

Doing the happy dance!

2011-05-29T08:00:00.000-07:00

I love reading articles like this one in the Vancouver Sun. There was a "learning competition" between a traditional lecture format and a more interactive format in a Physics class at the University of British Columbia.

Here is the result:
"The students learned more than twice as much in the new "interactive" classes than they did in the lectures by the tenured prof with more than 30 years of experience.... it is "high time" to abandon long lectures and PowerPoint presentations in favour of more lively, stimulating interactive classes."

My favorite quotes:
"Learning really happens only if you have this very active, intense engagement,"

"...the problem with students not absorbing much from lectures is nothing new."It's probably almost certainly been the case that lectures have been equally ineffective for centuries..."

What's an educator to do..

2011-05-28T08:00:00.000-07:00

I found this post on a discussion board very ...um... interesting. First she writes:

i had childbirth classes yesterday, and i think it did more harm then good. watching the videos of other people having kids scared the crap out of me. I know i have no choice at this point, (haha, i'll be 34 weeks tomorrow) but i'm petrified. Plus the lady never came out and said not to get the epidural..., but everything she said about it was negative. now i'm even more confused, but i was def planning on getting that.
When she is further questioned about what was said negatively about the epidural:
I'm not even scared of the epi.. the reason the lady scared me about it, is she said it may slow my labor down, and i wouldn't be able to walk.. which i wanted to do.

So what's an educator to do? I think it's important for women to know the impact...so she can make the best decision for her.... How sad would it be to ask for an epidural and then realize you can't really get out of bed after it's in?

Vote...quite easy!

2011-05-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

Floradix and The Birth Trust are awarding $5,000 to a favorite midwifery project. There are a lot of great projects listed there.

However Choices in Childbirth is my favorite and in the top 5. If you have attended a PfB workshop recently you received their booklet/brochure that they make available for only shipping costs. It's an awesome resource and IF you wanted my opinion of whom to vote for, they have my support.

So review the projects and VOTE!! ( if this link doesn't work because I already voted, then go to the Birth Trust or Choices in Childbirth site and link in from there. Voting ends soon, so take care of this NOW!

Where have I been?

2011-05-26T02:29:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's been a week since I posted....and this is just an update on my status vs. a true post!

Last Thursday I flew to Phillie and co-facilitated with Pat Predmore a 3 day workshop of amazing childbirth educators who inspired me as to the passion and skills they bring to this work. We finished Sunday afternoon and I scurried off to the airport and realized that I was on eastern time and getting back to Seattle at 4 am eastern time and would have my 90 minute drive... aargh! So when they offered to bump someone I grabbed the option. But what was I thinking? I had to be back at 4 am-ish. Still not a sleep-filled night.
But I did it...flew Monday and then started an on-line Passion for Birth workshop that is operating on-line from 1:30 am to 8:30 am... we have a small group in Reading, outside London. Here is a screen shot of them this am as they are getting started.

We have two new local trainers facilitating/hosting and I am on their big screen TV and can share my desktop.... it's a glimpse of the future. The group has been patient as we work out the inevitable occasional technical glitches but I am confident this group of passionate educators will join the ranks of inspirational childbirth educators.
We are just starting day 3 (night 3 for me)! I am not sure I was designed for the "night shift"....I have a whole new respect for those who regular do this. I look forward to a regular night's sleep!
Time to put my "glamourous headset" and join them!

Do you live in an isolated area (where there are no Passion for Birth workshops?) and would you be interested in participating in our new format of meeting on-line? Send an email to teri@passionforbirth.com and we will be in touch. We need to have a webcam and a dependable internet connection.

Transparency....

2011-05-18T08:00:00.000-07:00

I really try to post correct information. When an organization's CEO said I didn't have my facts right in an earlier post, I decided to delve deeper into the issue.

The one thing that comes with being a non-profit is transparency. Each non-profit needs to make an annual report to the IRS. These forms, called 990s, are then posted by at least 3 on-line "non-profit" watchers/websites. Below, I have taken screen shots of what has been reported to the IRS by ICEA, Lamaze, and CAPPA Foundation and then posted by the "non-profit watchers." I did find where CAPPA foundation opted to file e-postcards for tax year 08, 09, 10 (instead of the 990s required for larger budgets.) These e-postcards (available on the IRS website by searching for the non-profit's name) state that their gross receipts for 08 and 09 were under $25,000 and under $50,000 for 10. Their website states: "the worlds largest childbirth education organization" I am impressed that that can be done for less than $25,000.

So there you have it. Once again, if something I say is not correct, let me know.

To see more detail about the 990s, go to Economic Research Institute Nonprofit

Why your certification organization should not REQUIRE membership

2011-05-17T08:00:00.000-07:00

As long as I am on the topic of certification, I wanted to share my thoughts about a common but less than ethical practice of some childbirth education certification organizations.

According to those folks who are as passionate about certification as we are about birth, when you meet all the requirements to be certified - your certification should not be dependent on you paying annual membership dues. You either have the skills/knowledge/attitude or you don't. They can encourage you to be a member - offer all sorts of perks like discounts in certification fees, etc but it can't be mandated. Think about...if an organization says you have the skills but only if you pay that organization $$$ each year. That's not fair to hold your certification hostage. IF they need more operational $$, they should increase the original certification fees and make the benefits for membership so lucrative that everyone freely joins.

What do you think? Why do you think so many childbirth certifications, do this? Does your organization do that? Lamaze is the only one I could find that does NOT break this basic tenet of certification. It even looks like many organizations have "reinstatement fees" if you have not paid their dues during ALL your years of certification. Egads, that certainly doesn't sound like they certified you to be a competent CBE. It is more of an indentured certification.

Think about it, let me know your thoughts.

Putting your childbirth educator certification in the hands of for-profit vs non-profit

2011-05-16T08:00:00.000-07:00

Just like anyone can hang out their shingle and say they are a childbirth educator, anyone can hang out their shingle and say "we certify childbirth educators." It's rather concerning in a lot of ways.

I wanted to share my thoughts today about whether or not it makes a difference if your certification is held by a for-profit vs. non-profit.

When I looked through the required IRS forms for non-profits on the Guidestar site, it appears that only a couple organizations are registered as non-profit. Lamaze, ICEA and BirthWorks. The ones I checked that are for-profit are Bradley, Brio Birth, Childbirth International, Birthing From Within, ACBE. Do you know of others? (Tracy Peters asked me to remove CAPPA from this list as there is a small non-profit foundation connected to CAPPA so they operate as both.)

So what's the big deal if the group that holds your certification is for-profit? Well, what happens if they decide to close their doors or they only allow their children to run the business or they decide to sell to a less desirable owner? There is no board of directors or by-laws that are mandated to protect the assets of the group and provide fiscally responsible decisions/disclosures. For non-profits, the profit/assets go back into the organization, individual leaders can not just take it. Non-profits file an annual public record of their assets/income/expenses. For-profits are not so public. How would you know if your certification organization is in financial problems if they weren't a non-profit?

In 2008 there was a group (BEST/CCE) that trained and certified childbirth educators and then decided to stop. I am sure those who were certified by them were not too reassured when the website stated:

"...your certification is valid until the stated expiration date. If you seek certification or recertification in the future you should consult with another organization."

For-profits can close their doors with no/little accountability whereas a non-profit is managed by a board and are more accountable. Elected board of directors vs. owners have to respond to members in different ways. There is recourse if membership of a non-profit is discontent; not liking what the "owners" are doing doesn't have the same options for electing a new leadership team.
What are your thoughts? When looking at with whom to certify, do you even look at their legal structure?

Birth Clip from Ginny's TEDx presentation

2011-05-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

Doulas on a TED talk!

2011-05-14T08:00:00.000-07:00

Ginny Phang from Singapore presents to TEDX about being "Love, Breathe, Just Doula."
Ginny - you are a rock star!

To share or not share

2011-05-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

I always think of my course design for a childbirth class series or a workshop to be a roadmap....where we are starting, where our destination is. There is always a direct route but the way also has lots of detours/scenic routes/less traveled routes. I love visualizing the adventure and planning the route. It's a gentle balance taking learner needs and my strengths as a facilitator in creating a dynamic course design.

Over the years I have been fortunate enough to review hundreds of course designs - they are so personal and reflective of the person who created them. Many were such incredible works - reflecting months of hard labor!

So recently I was sent an interesting question. A person who definitely put her heart and soul into her course design was asked to give it/share it with another CBE. What do you think? Would you give yours away?

The Miles Circuit

2011-05-12T07:09:00.000-07:00

Sharon Muza at New Moon Birth is one of the most amazing doulas I know. I have been so lucky to facilitate workshops with her at the Simkin Center - I always feel like I am learning something new or gaining a fresh approach.
A few years ago she started talking about the success she was having with the "Miles Circuit" for those babies who were just having more of a challenge finding the easy way out. Named after another doula and now midwife, they had brainstormed during a long birth that Sharon was at and they created this process that worked!
Now it is being shared at the Miles Circuit. Actually I would have name it the M and M Circuit (Miles and Muza.) Thanks for sharing!

A reminder of why PfB is on a mission to stomp out boring cb classes

2011-05-11T08:00:00.000-07:00

Today Google alerts picked up this on a discussion board:

We were birth class dropouts after the first two sessions :) It was SO painfully boring and ridiculous to both of us. We sat in the back and played hangman most of the time. :::yawn:::

An important read

2011-05-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

Digital Mom has lots of information that would be helpful for childbirth educators to know. (Thanks to today's InJoy webinar)

Preparing parents for false positives.

2011-05-09T08:00:00.000-07:00

As I was sitting here wondering if I should post the link of Saturday Night Live parody on childbirth classes/wild birth when I noticed this article on MSNBC:

Newborn panels can save lives, but about 200,000 a year aren't accurate, experts say

And as I read the reality that the newborn screening panel varies from state to state and the reporting of false positives vary widely between states, what can we as childbirth educators do to minimize the trauma of the false positives that people will have in our classes while others will benefit from having a condition identified early in a newborn's life?
I am thinking it would be effective to share the reality and help them to identify support they can lean on during the "limbo" time when the positive screen is confirmed/changed. And hopefully we have all covered the difference between screening tests and diagnostic tests during pregnancy and build on that knowledge. Ahh, the challenges.

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-08T08:00:00.000-07:00

May is International Doula Month

2011-05-07T08:00:00.000-07:00

With May being International Doula Month, it is an honor to be involved in training an enthusiastic group of new doulas for the Simkin Center at Bastyr University. The backgrounds range from Army vet, former truck driver, massage therapist, ICU nurse, medical anthropologist, biology teacher, former Peace Corps volunteer and so much more. It's an honor to be part of their journey towards supporting women in this dynamic part of their life.

If you are a doula, don't forget to submit a picture to DONA International's photo contest for pictures of doulas in action!

Impressed with who is feeding the baby!

2011-05-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

This underwear model feeds her baby on set of photoshoot.

Hopefully when you are talking about breastfeeding you have lots of images showing that it can be done anywhere, anytime!

Reflecting back on the first birth I attended

2011-05-05T08:00:00.000-07:00

May 5 is the International Day of the Midwife and it has made me pause and reflect on the very first birth I ever attended. I lived in West Virginia and had started on the path to become a childbirth educator. One of the requirements was to attend at least 3 births.
My husband worked for the National Park Service and one of his co-workers was married to a midwife. That midwife was Marty Jones and she was the care provider of the first birth I was invited to attend - the woman was young and healthy and the memory is so positive! Actually watching this woman birth and the gentle support given by Marty spoiled me. The next births I went to were so different that I realized that not all births are facilitated with the same touch and that the choice of care provider is so important!
Both Marty and I have since left West Virginia. She is now in Harrisonburg, VA and is part of Shenandoah Women's Care
Thank you, Marty, for the amazing memory from about 20 years ago. You set the bar really high for how women should be cared for during birth. The women who have been lucky enough to have you at their birth have been so blessed.

PfB Grad Tracey Cuneo featured on blog

2011-05-04T08:00:00.000-07:00

On the Giving Birth with Confidence blog, the blogger is attending a childbirth program facilitated by Passion for Birth graduate Tracey Cuneo.

With comments like:
My overall impression upon leaving class the first night was, “Every pregnant woman AND her partner should attend childbirth classes — I can’t believe more women don’t do this!”
it sounds like Tracey is doing an awesome job. Go Tracey!

Move your body

2011-05-03T08:00:00.000-07:00

"Move your body..."
we could just change the words a little -
"don't just lay in your hospital bed....move your body" and we would have a great Healthy Birth practice theme song!

Applause for Veronica

2011-05-01T08:00:00.002-07:00

I have been so fortunate to co-facilitate the Lamaze Breastfeeding Specialist workshops with an amazing facilitator, Veronica Schaedler. I have just returned from Lincoln, Nebraska where once again we paired up and spent two long and intense days with 36 women who are on a mission to support the breastfeeding dyad and their families.

Our trek to Lincoln has become an every 18 month tradition due to the wonderful organizing skills of Jan Madsen at St. Elizabeth's Hospital. There is no one who is a better host or workshop sponsor!

Veronica arrived a little late on the morning of day 1 because the night before she was honored at a special awards ceremony in Texas - The Great 100 Nurses

The mission of the Great 100, since 1990, is to recognize professional Registered Nurses for their contributions to the communities in which they live and practice both the art and science of nursing. The Great 100 recognizes 100 professional RNs each year that have been nominated by their peers, practice sites, families and patients entrusted to their care

Veronica - you are so deserving of this award - we wish we could have been in the audience to give a standing ovation! (But someone had to be at the workshop)

The babies and mothers at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital at Plano and the Lactation consultants on your team are so lucky to have you!

If anyone wants to have Veronica and I come to your neighborhood to facilitate this workshop, send us an email! We come with silver nipples, the apple latch, lactation Bingo, Breastfeed Ya Baby rap and more gizmos and glitter than you can imagine.

Great quote

2011-04-29T08:00:00.000-07:00

"Women are strong, strong, terribly strong, We don't know how strong until we are pushing out our babies."
- Louise Erdrich
The Blue Jays Dance

Old ad - "funny" look at impact of $$ worries on birth

2011-04-28T08:00:00.000-07:00

Could you use this in cb classes to highlight the importance of the support team focusing on the woman in labor and her needs?

(thanks to Rashall Rice for posting on Facebook)

Lancet features stillbirth

2011-04-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

The Lancet is featuring Stillbirths in its recent issue and has made the articles available free. You need to register but there's no hassle.
While stillbirth is a hard topic to deal with, the reality is there and you need to increase your awareness of the issues and the support and the impact.

Feel free to share any creative ways you cover stillbirth in your childbirth class series.

Listen to the radio!

2011-04-26T08:00:00.000-07:00

Penny Simkin and many more will be sharing their thoughts and wisdom on this critical topic - sexual abuse. Penny's time slot is 6:30 to 7:30 pm (Pacific time) or 9:30 to 10:30 (Eastern time) on April 29. Unfortunately I will be on a plane back from Nebraska...but I will be eager to hear from you what the keypoints were. You need to register at their website: taalk.org

Sign up for InJoy webinars

2011-04-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

InJoy is hosting a webinar on May 10 titled:
Childbirth Education - Using Technology to Reach Today's Parents.
Register, it's free with a charge for contact hours if you need them.

While you are registering for that one, you will see you can also reserve your spot for one I am helping out on in September:
Innovative Teaching Techniques for Comfort Strategies: A Panel Presentation Featuring Teri Shilling, Ana Hill and Vonda Gates.

Have you signed the petition?

2011-04-24T08:00:00.000-07:00

I know I am a little late, but there is still lots of slots to be signed on this US Breastfeeding Committee petition. It's easy and it's quick. Do it today!

Download the pdf as well. "Like" their Facebook page. Etc. Etc. You know the drill.

Nice job

2011-04-23T08:00:00.000-07:00

Taking a break

2011-04-20T18:03:00.000-07:00

I have been busy doing back to back workshops and I need to take a break from my daily blogging addiction... I'll be back! (once I get my ducks in a row! And a thousand emails answered...I am NOT exaggerating)

The importance of donor milk

2011-04-12T08:00:00.000-07:00

A quote

2011-04-11T08:00:00.000-07:00

Creative activity could be described as a type of learning process where teacher and pupil are located in the same individual.

-Arthur Koestler, novelist and journalist (1905-1983)

Being too perky?

2011-04-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

Bloggers can be quite critical...

".....And yes, the teacher lady was as perky as ever. I do believe she needs to lay off the coffee or switch to decaf cause she is just way to perky for this late in the day."

How do you balance being energetic and laid back?

Multiple Intelligences

2011-04-09T08:00:00.000-07:00

Take a minute and complete this quiz on your learning preferences based on multiple intelligences. What do you think? Does it fit?

While you are there, look around!

So what's next...

2011-04-08T08:00:00.000-07:00

So now your ob can "watch your progress" on their smartphone.....

Quotes from physicians using it:

"Conditions can change fast when a woman is in labor, but with AirStrip OB, I know exactly what's going on,"

"It gives patients a sense of wellbeing knowing that even when I'm not physically there, I can check on them,"

Need I say more....

How fun to see my poster

2011-04-07T08:00:00.000-07:00

Many years ago I created a Trust Birth poster working with a favorite graphic artist/friend. Part of the process involved one of the most memorable and meaningful births I have been a part of...and if you have been at a workshop I may have shared the story.

The original hangs in my office and I have also made it into posters and postcards.

What a treat when I received a call from Anthem Health asking permission to have the poster in the background of a two minute clip featuring one of their nurse managers. Of course I was delighted. (The last time I was asked for permission was for a scene in the comedy Men in Trees when one of the characters was attending CB class) And then I double delighted when I learned the featured Nurse Manager was also Marilyn Curl who is the current Lamaze president. ( a role I filled several years ago)

A quote....

2011-04-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

Who would have thought John Wayne could be a source of a quote for birth....

“Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway”

Hopefully by the time people have finished your childbirth class, they will have reduced their fears....

And he had one for us as educators:

“Talk low, talk slow and don't say too much.”

Listen in.

2011-04-05T08:00:00.001-07:00

Linda Smith is presenting a live discussion at the "lounge" - on April 6 at 5 pm pacific time. She will be looking at Impact of Swaddling on Breastfeeding Infants. The price is right (free) and there are other Free Lectures from past conferences there.

What do you think?

No power

2011-04-04T05:55:00.000-07:00

Well the laptop has no power...off to Apple store today. Writing this from my iPhone and it's so slow....

From the mother-to-be discussion boards:

2011-04-03T08:00:00.000-07:00

This is a question often posted on the pregnancy discussion boards:

Are birth classes worth the money?

Here is one interesting exchange:
Has anyone taken birth classes at a hospital? If so was it worth it or no? Did it really help you through your labor? Are there any nasty up close and personal videos? My mom wanted me to sign up and I did but I'm not sure. Any suggestions. Thanks.

I never took any birthing classes and we did just fine. Your body was designed to give birth. You'll know what to do when the time comes.
For me it was worth it, not because I got anymore information than I could have online, but just because it made me feel more prepared. It's a psychological thing I suppose.
Yeah there will be videos of birth. I haven't given birth yet, but I feel much less anxious about it than I did before the class.
I didn't take any classes. I know people that did and they say when it's time and you're in that much pain you kinda go with what feels right. There wasn't classes way back in the day and people were born fine. It's instinct I believe.
if anything take a parenting class...its kinda hard to learn how to give birth
Save your money darling. They only make you scared with the reality, but when the time comes to give birth you will be a pro at it.
I think you should watch a video...or you can probably find a free video online, about how to breathe through your contractions, but I don't think taking classes is a necessity. :)
I took the classes with my first daughter. It was free if I delivered at that hospital. I didn't see any birth videos, but the information was kinda helpful. It wasn't really any different from reading a book like 'What to Expect When You are Expecting'. But it is a good place to meet other pregnant women that are due around the time you are. They also take you on a tour of the maternity section in the hospital. At least that's how mine went.
I'm signed up to take birthing classes, but since they are free through my hospital, I won't be wasting any money. I want a natural birth so I want to learn breathing techniques.
What kind of nasty videos are you talking about? If you are pregnant but think giving birth is "nasty" that is a little weird to me. I mean sure, it's not something you really want to see, but it's how babies are meant to be born. I don't see anything gross about that.

What are your thoughts?

Just a thought

2011-04-02T08:00:00.000-07:00

How much time do you give to people in your cb program to explain things?

What do you use?

2011-04-01T08:00:00.004-07:00

A question came in from the website:
I am just starting out as a volunteer CBE for a teen parent program, working on certification. I am on a super tight budget, and would like any advice as to what I can use for visual aids when teaching the stages of labor.

What ideas do you have?

Things I have seen:

food for cervical dilation (bagel down to a cheerio)
ribbon of various colors sewn together (long, long stretch of green for early labor, then shorter and bolder color for active and bright red for transition (shortest) and then a piece for pushing
I have seen the popular poster of the stages and phases cut up into laminated pieces and the task is to reconstruct the stages and phases.
I love Penny Simkin's roadmap of labor.

Share your ideas!

Great teaching idea!

2011-03-31T08:00:00.000-07:00

Thanks Jan Banther for sharing this awesome idea! And thanks to Shanon Miranda Pruden who posted it on the Puget Sound Birth Professionals Facebook group!

How other cultures prevent post-partum depression

2011-03-30T08:00:00.000-07:00

I found this article very thought provoking...thanks to Kathleen Kendall-Tackett.
She describes in more detail these standards for post-partum support:

1. Distinct Postpartum Period
2. Protective Measures Reflecting the New Mothers Vulnerability
3. Social Seclusion and Mandated Rest
4. Functional Assistance
5. Social Recognition of her New Role and Status
and then she shares what many women actually experience.

It's so important to spend time in a cb class helping identify the strengths of the cultures represented in your class and build on what post-partum traditions can be followed! I sighed big time when I searched for images of postpartum support and the category was dominated by elastic wraps vs. pictures of women supporting new mothers.