The other thread got me thinking ahead. Since I hope to teach mostly private classes, what about supplies? I know there's no way i would be able to afford all the supplies and props say for instance that i've seen in other classes that i've observed. I'm sure you could teach a class with limited supplies or even none but how effective would it be? When you all started out, what did you have? and what would you recommend if you could only buy a few things? TIA

I started out as a Bradley instructor '92 and had very limited supplies, but over the years was able to buy bigger items as needed...although I've never had many huge items.

Get a free birth chart from Pampers to start...it is a very nice chart and the price is right! :wink I replaced it about 2 years ago.

And if you want another chart I recommend the Birth Atlas...it's kind of spendy, but worth the money. I was able to buy mine from a teacher that was selling her supplies after years of teaching.

Also, the baby and pelvis are really invaluable...there again, spendy, but something you will use over and over, and it will last for years. Check eBay.

Then the other supplies can be simple things that shouldn't cost a lot, especially if you can spread the purchases out over several months...
*white board
*birth ball
*lending library of books
*birth films...I got by for several years with only about 3 films and I just spread them out over the series of classes...these are not essential for teaching and I think sometimes they take away from more important things in class like practicing relaxation.
*dilation chart
*handouts

Anyway, just some ideas. :)

I would say spend the $20 on The Idea Box from Passion for Birth. There are tons of great teaching strategies and ideas to make your own props etc. I have not started teaching yet but I agree that the pelvis and baby are probably #1 to spend the $$ on.

I am teaching private birthing classes right now and I bring the Gentle Birth video and a white board. I do have some handouts that show the positions of the baby and the pelvic structure. I have taught 4 private classes since September and I have had a ton of positive feedback and have been asked to be at 3 of the births. After teaching the first couple of classes you will realize what it is that you really need based on your teaching style.

Wasn't there a link somewhere on how to make the birthing canal out of an ice cream bucket and pantyhose? I thought that was a pretty cool idea - I'm off to look for it....

Thanks so much for the ideas!
I've been keeping an eye out for a pelvis, i definitely think that is a valuable tool.

I started out with a pelvis and baby, a birth ball, and a dilation chart (which I made myself). I think I also had some birth videos, but couldn't tell you which ones I started with anymore.

I agree with calling Pampers for their free chart. You can also get really nice booklets from them that cover pregnancy, labor, birthing, etc. They come in a nice folder. Of course they have Pampers written on them, but they are free, and I have found them to be pretty good quality. I use them as my class "book" since I can't afford to purchase other ones for my students.

Look around because I know lots of people who are on a budget who have come up with great homemade ideas.

How did you get your free chart from Pampers? I called months ago and never received mine.

How did you get your free chart from Pampers? I called months ago and never received mine.
I would call again. I think it took three calls for me to get mine :) I am persistent when I want something LOL

Pampers is back ordered right now on those charts. Also www.jjpi.com has very inexpensive posters that can be laminated for nto too much money. Use a bottle and marble to show how gravity works. Funnels to show different "cervical lengths" also discussion on how one gets funneled down to one choice. grab bad filled with items that ease pregnancy discomforts. Pictures off the web of different interventions.

Investing in Power of Birth and 3 R's is also great along with the baby and pelvis.
Hope that helps!

Desirre

Desirre - I went to this website and I couldn't view the posters before buying. It just listed the price and "buy now". Is there another way to see them before buying them? Thanks.

douladot, click on the "view PDF" link to see the posters before you buy! :D

I started the thread on cheapy childbirth tools! I have a balloon and ping pong ball, you blow up with the ball inside. When you squeeze the sides (braxton hicks) not much changes. But squeeze the balloon from the top and the ping pong ball travels down the neck (cervix) of the balloon, causing it to efface and dilate! A very easy and cheap tool, I use it all the time, it actually got me a job after I demo'ed it at an interview ... the hubby was new to Canada, only a yr and a half, originally from Japan.

PELVIS & BABY, hands down. I could teach with nothing else if I had to, but without those, I'd be wishing for them constantly.
Not sure what you mean by "private" classes - to me that means me and one mom (or one couple). So my answer is based on that.
For in-home classes with just one couple, I wouldn't buy posters, they're just TOO big. www.birthsource.com has some smaller posters that are about the size of a sheet of paper, and probably other places will, too, if you look.
What I did was buy an easel binder and go through birth magazines, pamphlets, books (buying books with good pictures at Thrift stores) etc. and make up little mini posters on cardstock. The miniposters I made go in page protectors in the easel.
The pampers handouts are available for free download at their web site if you just register as a birth professional. Quick & easy. There is a powerpoint there, too.
I haven't done this, but you could also put any visuals you want to use into a powerpoint on your laptop and just bring that. It would probably also work for playing DVDs of birth videos, if they don't have a DVD player.
I bring a clipboard with blank, unlined paper on it, and a box of crayons. I can sort of draw pretty much everything I need to. With practice, I can even draw most things upside down! very simple stick drawings, but still...
With small classes like this, I don't have much of an agenda or outline, we tend to skip all around. But I have a list of the topics I want to cover, and I look it over before I leave to be sure I haven't missed anything.
I've taught LOTS of classes like this. Couples who wait too long, moms on bedrest, one couple of high-power attorneys who had me come into their office conference room for their lunch hour, and for a couple years I was very popular with airline pilots! It can be a very lucrative niche in the market.