Choosing Childbirth Educator Program

[MamaAshley]

Hi all, I need some advice and thought this was the best place to come and get it for this topic!
I have decided that I want to become certified to teach childbirth classes. I have been thinking about it for a long time, and I think this not only improve my doula work, but give me an alternate route to go since doing births right now is so hard with 3 small ones at home. So, after thinking a lot about it, I decided to start my research, and I am going in circles!!!! I have no idea who to certify through. The only CB classes I know of in this area are Bradley classes, and hospital classes that I hear aren't the greatest. There is one doula that I know of who teaches Bradley classes and most of her couples go on to hire her for their doula. So that of course would be great for my doula business when I am able to take on more births. So, how do I decide who to certify through? Can anyone recommend an organization? Anyone have issue with any of them? Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!

[DL]

Well, I have no "issues" with any of them, but I am going through Teri Shilling's Passion for Birth to certify through Lamaze International. Lamaze is not about the "breathing" as many people seem to think (it was like that 20-30 years ago, though). It is a philosophy, not a method. Anyway....check out the sites, that I hyperlinked above, and read the Lamaze philosophies and see whether or not it would be a good fit for you. Lamaze is widely accepted for both hospital and private classes; so your options for where you can teach are pretty wide open.

The great thing about taking the Passion For Birth route is that the director and all instructors are also doulas, and you're taught fun, interactive teaching, not boring lecture. on researching all the many cbe routes out there. I hope you find what sounds perfect to you!

Edited to add:

Lamaze Philosophy of Birth

Birth is normal, natural, and healthy.

The experience of birth profoundly affects women and their families.

Women’s inner wisdom guides them through birth.

Women’s confidence and ability to give birth is either enhanced or diminished by the care provider and place of birth.

Women have the right to give birth free from routine medical interventions.

Birth can safely take place in birth centers and homes.

Childbirth education empowers women to make informed choices in health care, to assume responsibility for their health and to trust their inner wisdom.

[moncton doula]

I went through Passion for Birth (pfb) as well and I am knee deep in my course. I would HIGHLY reccomend pfb!!!!!!!!!! We've talked a lot about this previously, check out this thread...I'm taking the CBE plunge!!

and this one...Passion for Birth

Good luck with your decision!

[Gentlebirthmama]

I've been certified thru Bradley since 1992 and personally am glad I went thru this 'method'...unfortunately, the program has changed somewhat since I first started out and I hear of many disgruntled instructors. Prices have gone up, support is lacking somewhat.
But what I loved about Bradley, and what drew me to it as a pregnant mom, is that it is about learning to trust your body and believe in the natural process of birth. Classes focus on non-medical labor coping techniques such as relaxation (key to the Bradley method), normal, abdominal breathing, various positions, massage techniques, etc.
Classes also provide great help for dads as the support person and I've seen so many dads unsure of themselves and the whole process, turn around by the end of classes...full of confidence and determination to help their partners.

Well, you're obviously going to get many responses from all us that teach and are passionate about who we chose to certify with, so I personally would say to sit in on classes that you're able to, read various books about the various methods...Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way, a book on Lamaze, Hypnobirthing...look at the various organizations websites and email with questions.

And I'm sure all of us would be happy to answer more questions about the various organizations.

[tlcdoula]

I think the first thing to do is decide where you might want to teach. I know you said the hospital classes aren't good, so would you be interested in trying to get in there and making them better? That is what I decided to do!!! I hated the classes that were offered so I took a job within the system and started to make changes (my boss is the BEST!!!). I recently got transferred to another hospital within the system where I will be the only educator, so I can really start to make change.

Anyhow, start by trying to figure out where you want to teach. If you plan on teaching within a hospital then you will want to find out who they accept and go that route. When I started the hospital accepted my CAPPA certification, but honestly I think she only did it because I have a masters degree and came highly recommended by someone that my boss works closely with. Because of this - I decided to certify through ICEA since the other hospitals in the area accept ICEA and Lamaze only. I was thinking about taking another hospital teaching job, but have now changed my mind, but will finish my ICEA training because I don't like "quitting." Plus who knows what the future will hold.

I loved my ICEA training!!!!

[MamaAshley]

Thank you for your responses! Thus far I am interested in Lamaze and ICEA, but I am leaning toward Lamaze. I have a few questions though. They already offer Lamaze classes at a hospital in Nashville, would I get any couples if I were to start teaching outside the hospital? Also, there doesn't seem to be any seminars locally, how would I be able to get that part of the training done. I am looking into Passion for Birth, but the seminars aren't local for me to attend. And also, are other Lamaze instructors open to letting you observe their class, and how would I go about finding a mentor?

Sorry I have so many questions, I just want to go about this the right way. I am thinking i'd liek to be able to teach privately OR at a hospital, I want my options open, so I think Lamaze might be the perfect fit for me, I love their mission and their visions...

[syncreo]

Hi,
Another proud Lamaze trained CBE here and I highly recommend Passion for Birth. I have a lot of experience in Adult Ed. and have both developed, facilitated and particpated in countless trainings and the Pfb seminar is at the top of my list for workshops and the Lamaze certification process is also at the top of my list. If the hospital already teaches Lamaze classes than this is a good in for you - perhaps a future job or at the very least a market who sees the value in Lamaze classes.

You could contact Teri (Passion for Birth ) about sponsoring a workshop in your area. Given that the hospital has Lamaze certified instructors you may have a number of nurses there who would be wanting to take the course and make the marketing for the course easier for you. Teri is a wonderful instructor, mentor and a very giving individual - contact her and I am sure you can find a way to make this work for you if you really want it.

Cheers,
Shawna

[MamaAshley]

Thanks Shawna! I have pretty much made my decision in the last day or so to go with Lamaze, and go through Passion For Birth. I love everything her website says! I am totally inspired by everything she offers, and how she makes it so easy for someone to do this if they really want it! I am so excited to pursue this venture, I think this will help my doula work, and give me a way to quench my thirst for the birth world without actually leaving my family for long periods of time like I do when I have a birth.

[Jadethedoula]

I am certifying with ICEA. I agree with their overall philosophy "freedom of choice through knowledge of alternatives", and I like the fact that they have no requirements for curriculum, only suggestions. To be honest, though, I mostly chose ICEA for practical reasons. (It is the standard in my area.)
If I followed my heart of hearts as far as certifying organizations, I think I would go with ALACE. I have their study modules, and I think their materials are awesome, but it just didn't seem to make sense for me professionally. I wanted to be able to have opportunities available to me if I don't end up working for myself, and ALACE is not very recognized where I live, so it would pretty much limit me to self-employment as far as classes go.
I think Lamaze is great, too, though. I have heard from other CBEs that they are the most academically-focused, which I think could be a great benefit.
I have some criticisms of Bradley, mostly because of the restrictions they place on teachers, though I agree with Amy about the benefits of the method to parents. My first doula clients went through Bradley classes. I love how fierce and empowered they train parents to be, and how deep the emphasis is on trusting birth.
Anyway, its a personal choice. I think it is a matter of which you personally resonate with, and secondarily, the logistical/professional/practical concerns.

[MothertheMother]

Another Passion for Birth: Lamaze instructor in training! I just had to put my in here. lol I was passionate and inspired to become a childbirth instructor after my first birth as a doula. That kind of passion and inspiration pales in comparison to what I felt after my Passion for Birth training seminar!There are so many great things to say about it that I couldn't possibly know where to begin. The few things that really helped me make up my mind were the fact that Passion for Birth is a mentoring program and you will have support even after your certification is complete. One of the things that I really like about Lamaze is the structure of their classes. I know some don't appreciate being told what to teach and I completely respect that but I agree with everything Lamaze holds as a standard so it works for me. I like that parents should come away with basically the same knowledge no matter who is teaching or where they are teaching (a lot like Bradley). With that said not all Lamaze classes are actually Lamaze classes so go observe the class that you mentioned. If she is teaching actual Lamaze classes (some hospitals just use the name because people equate it with childbirth classes) she should be very open to you observing. And maybe you'll find someone to observe you when you teach (part of the requirement).
Keep checking the website for seminars close to you. And don't hesitate to email Sheri and tell her where you are and that you want to attend a class. You never know if she is thinking of holding one near you but isn't sure if she'll have the attendence. Never hurts to ask. Oh, and I drove about 3 hours away for my class and it was worth every minute of road time.
Feel free to keep asking questions! Listening to the ladies here sure helped me make my decision...