If you teach classes for hospital clients and homebirth clients

[teachinmamaof4]

How much to you make your class content different?

I'm in the process of writing my hospital client curriculum. Once I'm done I'll over it and change and add a few things to gear it for a homebirth client due in April. Right now it looks like my first students will be a homebirth couple so I need to get this figured out and ready to go!!

[truelife]

Hi Heather -

I know that we have talked about this before but I thought I would share my latest thoughts with you about this topic. The more I have worked on my curriculum the more I am realizing that I don't think it is necessary to change things up that much - if at all. The biggest thing I didn't like about my "homebirth" class was that the instructor didn't prepare me for what would happen in a transport. When I was almost transported with Elias I pretty much freaked - not what should be happening at such a crucial decision making time.

I have the same outline for both but what I have decided to do with homebirth clients is add specific things, such as:

- Setting boundaries for visitors
- Making sure they know to take it easy in their environment
- Making sure that the people around them know that even though they look, feel,
seem to be in good condition (and usually are) they still need the time to rest, be
served and really just bond with the baby
- I am also really going to stress that just b/c they plan on a HB does not mean that
something will not arise to jeopordize their "wishes"

I obviously believe in natural childbirth and hope I encourage those who may be sitting on the line to get the idea of "I'll Try....." out of their heads b/c THEY CAN!!! My website will be changing a lot in the next couple of weeks, and I really want to stress my stance on birth and how that will be presented in my classes. Just as I believe "Every woman needs a doula, but I am not the doula for every woman" I also believe that "Every woman needs chilbirth education, but my classes are not for every woman." I feel that I would go against what I believe to be true about trusting birth if what I teach does not represent my birthing philosophy. There are many diplomatic teachers out there, and while I will strive to educate, remain unbiased, and present both sides to every situation, it will be difficult for me to not let my strong beliefs shine through.

[teachinmamaof4]

I was hoping you'd reply because I remembered you did a homebirth class.

So do you have one class where you address specific homebirth issues?

The transport is the only issue I had thought of so far (honestly, I've just started thinking today about how I'd do a homebirth class...so this is all brainstorming right now). The other ideas you gave are great!

Do you cover things like the hospital interventions much in depth? Things like, "If your care provider thinks your labor is progressing too slow, they may offer pitocin." Or do you address that when you talk about what the hospital is like (i.e. EFM, IV fluids, etc.) in case there is a transport?

[truelife]

OH YES! I teach one whole class on hospital procedures and interventions b/c that's what I was so scared of. Isn't it funny that I was 100% comfortable doing a homebirth, but was terrified of what would happen at a hospital - mainstream is total opposite! I do talk about what would prompt a midwife to transport. I can't say that I do have a class just for homebirth issues but I do "tweak" the material a little.

For instance:
- When I get to the hospital bag part I still suggest they do one in the event of a transport b/c Dad won't be wanting to come back to gather all of the belongings BUT I also suggest that Mom prepare a basket of things she may want to do while in bed. Husbands usually become care providers after the baby is born, and for me personally, I didn't want to have to ask my DH to go get me a book (or whatever) so I made sure it was all in a basket by my bed so he wasn't having to do EVERYTHING.

- I talk about what to expect when the midwife arrives vs. when to go to the hospital.

- Tonight I am working on a sign to put up on the fridge about there being a new baby in the house, and even though it's exciting, guests should still respect the parents need to rest. I will put my information on there so if the parents have a hard time saying this to relatives I can take the blame. Parents can obviously choose to put it out or not but at least they will have it.

- There is a birthing center here that uses Cytotec, and if I ever have a client who is birthing there come through I would probably go overboard in educating on the dangers of Cytotec

- With HB clients I will show how an epidural is administered and when it is okay/not okay for Dad to be present during a C-Section

- In the postpartum section I will also go over experiencing "birth loss" if your birth did not go the way you hoped it would (transport, drugs, c-section, etc.) I have seen many clients become depressed and feel guilty b/c of a transport

- I also ask HB students to prepare a birth plan in the event of a transport that included their desires about circing, Vit K, Eye Oinment, Nursing, Pacis, Immediate/Delayed Cord cutting, Immediate Skin Contact, Rooming In, Glucose Testing, etc.

Okay, that's what I have for now but if I think of more later I will let you know.

[teachinmamaof4]

Niccole....I love you.

That helps so much getting my thoughts organized! You would think after having two homebirths this would be easy in coming together.

[truelife]

You're a crack up!

I'm teaching my first private HB class Sunday so we'll see how useful all of that info really is after that!

[WelcomingBirth]

I used to teach Bradley classes. I often had hospital and out of hospital birthers in the series together. BUT, the hospital birth folks were wanting an unmedicated, low-internvetion birth so the material was suitable for everyone's needs. Now, when I teach hospital folks (in a hospital setting vs. my home), I have the whole range of "no meds" to "give me the epidural asap".

I now have separate homebirth classes and hospital classes. The main difference is that the homebirth couples/mamas don't have to be prepared for a 'battle' to get their wishes even considered (like so many Bradley hospital couples had to). So, it is so much more relaxing (for me!) to work with the homebirth couples knowing that they have a cp they trust and believe in!

I completely agree about the transport issue. I know some teachers never talk about the hospital to homebirthers thinking that only 'positive' scenarios should be discussed.

So, one class is devoted to "unwished for surprises".

I love teaching homebirthers because I get to spend so much more time on 'fun' stuff' and so much less time on providing information that is focused on making sure they clarify what kind of birth they are really hoping for, and how to go about getting that in a often times less-than-ideal setting (the hospital).

~Celine

[emmabella]

My classes are not taught at a hospital but the majority of my clients are having hospital births. However, I have at least one if not two OOH couples at each class, which I LOVE! The first two classes are completely dedicated to understanding normal birth & practicing coping techniques. The second two classes are variations, pain medications, interventions, cesareans & finally a birth rehearsal. I find this format meets the needs of both groups quite well and teaches realistic skills regardless of their birth setting. Even better still the OOH clients are so in love with their MW's they give fantastic "commercials" about the care they are receiving. I've had about one mom per class switch to midwifery care afterwards for the last couple months! Wahoo!

Anywho, if I was to teach a "OOH birth only" class. I would probably do 3 classes on coping skills and 1 on interventions/transfers. I find most OOH couples are very well educated on interventions (thus why they are choosing OOH) and their biggest need is coping techniques & practice.

[jessa_bee]

Quote:

I also ask HB students to prepare a birth plan in the event of a transport that included their desires about circing, Vit K, Eye Oinment, Nursing, Pacis, Immediate/Delayed Cord cutting, Immediate Skin Contact, Rooming In, Glucose Testing, etc.

Does anyone have a sample of a home birth transport plan that they can share? My home birth client would like to do one and I'd love to give her a couple of samples to work from.

[ctowndoula]

Sure, I have a couple. PM me with your email addy. I need to edit some names and info out before I send it to you.