Creating my own 'method'

motherwise · 01-06-2007, 06:17 PM

What do your CB classes comprise? How are they structured? What method (if any) do you teach? I am having a hard time finding something I resonate with in terms of method/theory/style. I am thinking of creating my own. I do like alot of things about Birthworks, so I would say that would be my #1 choice, but I would like to see a program out there that combines the nutrition/partner education/pelvic bodywork of Bradley, the good teaching strategies of PfB, and Birthing From Within theory (emphasis on 'rite of passage', no "one right way" to birth and emphasis on helping women to find their own inner strength etc). Is that too much to ask? I would also like to see a childbirth class that starts in early pregnancy (preconception in some cases) and continues through pregnancy (not once a week or anything).

I don't really know what I am talking about yet....the ideas are still forming. Most of the important things that influence a labor the most are things that are often percieved as 'too late to change' by the time these parents hire a doula or begin CB classes. Relaxation and comfort measures are good, but it is SO much better when a woman is in her primal brain and not thinking of what she was 'supposed' to do or feel like.

So many more ideas floating around in my head....I'd love some input!

motherstouchdoula · 01-06-2007, 10:47 PM

This is why I am going to go with ICEA, you make up your own style. They don't have a set form. I have my cert in leclaire hypnobirthing and don't care much for it at all and can't really see myself teaching it BUT I can see mixing some of their teaching with other forms of natural childbirth ed.

teachinmamaof4 · 01-07-2007, 12:29 AM

This is one reason I went with CAPPA....I have some freedom to teach what I want. I got an idea of flow from the Transition To Parenthood site then made it my own.

My classes are 10wks (I'm going to do a weekend course soon too). Right now it's structured like this:

1 – Class Overview and Nutrition
2 – Anatomy and Physiology ~ General Information
3 – Prelabor and First Stage
4 – Second Stage, Third Stage and Labor Support
5 – Postpartum: Mom, Partner and Baby
6 – Variations, Interventions/Meds, CSection
7 – Hospital/MW Procedures, Informed Consent and Birth Plans
8 – Breastfeeding
9 – Newborn Care and Final Labor Review
10 – Review Birth Plans, Final Labor Overview

While my focus is on natural childbirth preparation, I will cover interventions/meds, etc. I want women, whether planning to go med-free or not, to be prepared. I also want them to know that if they don't have a natural childbirth, they are NOT a failure, they still have someone who will support and listen to them.

doulamomma · 01-07-2007, 02:34 AM

I'm also in that process also but haven't quite made it there yet. The program I am in is also pretty flexible and doesn't prescribe to a certain method, Right now we are just starting to develop and outline of our course that we would teach. So things are starting to fall in place for me. My biggest thing I guess is to let them know that birthing is normal and you need to be flexible during the birthing process.

tlcdoula · 01-07-2007, 11:12 AM

I actually started out by looking at how the hospital program I worked for did theirs and then I added or deleted things as I saw fit. I thought it was a great place to get the bones of the class layout, but then like I said I did lots of modifying from there.

syncreo · 01-07-2007, 01:45 PM

Hi,
I think regardless of what organization you certify with most let you pretty much design your own course and there is no reason it can't be a mix of all the things you mentioned if you want it to be and if you educate yourself on all of them. Lamaze has required topics to cover - how you cover those topics and if you choose to add additional ones is up to you. If you look at my course design and you look at another Lamaze instructor I am sure you would like see completely different courses depending on our own experiences, philosophies and such. I have included some things from Birthing from Within in my design and as I go on I would consider taking a BFW course to compliment my work. Most (other than Bradley) programs are very flexible so just go with your gut and create your own method - that is pretty much what any of us do who design our own courses. Good luck!!

DL · 01-07-2007, 02:14 PM

As I was reading what you hope to do, I immediately thought that that sounded a lot like what Teri talked about at our Passion for Birth seminar. She actually talked to us about taking what we liked from other types of classes (Bradley, Birthing from Within, etc.) and putting what we liked together to make our own style of class. Contrary to what some of you may believe, Lamaze is pretty flexible. The stuff that they require you to cover are the basic things that are usually covered in any class (but you have the freedom on just how you want to teach it), and after that....you can add or combine content and mix things up a bit. That's one of the many reasons why I chose Lamaze...because their is a standard and flexibility, all at the same time.

skyyogastudio · 01-15-2007, 07:37 PM

Hi,
Just wondering - are you all stating that you have to follow a certain format (say Lamaze) that is given because you want to offer a "Lamaze" class? I mean if you wanted to just offer a CBE course and stated as part of your credentials that you were trained/certified by Lamaze - would that be acceptable?

I use all of my certifications as guides, not rules. I make things my own, like a collage of all the best bits of different styles that mesh well together.

Is this normally frowned upon in the birthing business, or is it actually stipulated in your certifications that you must adhere to a certain format in order to use a recognized name?

Shanti,
Emily Canibano

DL · 01-15-2007, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyyogastudio

Hi,
Just wondering - are you all stating that you have to follow a certain format (say Lamaze) that is given because you want to offer a "Lamaze" class? I mean if you wanted to just offer a CBE course and stated as part of your credentials that you were trained/certified by Lamaze - would that be acceptable?

Yes, it is my understanding that one can teach a class that doesn't meet the Lamaze requirements; the key is that if one does so, she can't legally call it a "Lamaze" class. For instance, it's a Lamaze requirement that the series be at least 12 hours and have no more than 10 couples. One may teach a 8 hour class, with 12 couples, and call her class something else other than "Lamaze", but she can still list her credentials to show that she is a LCCE (Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator).

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyyogastudio

Is this normally frowned upon in the birthing business, or is it actually stipulated in your certifications that you must adhere to a certain format in order to use a recognized name?

I think my answer above probably covers that for Lamaze. Certain topics must be covered (your own choosing as to how all topics are presented), but then you may also add other topics not required (i.e. birth art as one small example). Other organizations may think of it differently. This is the way I understood it from Teri Shilling, who's the Director of Passion for Birth (a Lamaze accredited educator training education program). If I'm wrong, someone who is experienced with Lamaze, please correct me.

MothertheMother · 01-15-2007, 11:46 PM

Lori...this is how I understand it. You can teach any style class you want with LCCE behind your name. If you want to advertise a "Lamaze" class it needs to follow their guidlines

Jeanette · 01-16-2007, 03:06 AM

Our hospital lamaze class is only 7.5 hours long. I wonder how they are getting away with having "lamaze" in the name?

I wish it was 12 hours. I need to observe a 12 hour class for CBI and I can't find one here.

ctowndoula · 01-16-2007, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeanette

Our hospital lamaze class is only 7.5 hours long. I wonder how they are getting away with having "lamaze" in the name?

I wish it was 12 hours. I need to observe a 12 hour class for CBI and I can't find one here.

Lamaze actually asks that you report things like this to them. It hurts their reputation and credibility to have a class that does not meet basic standards (like 12 hours) touting that they are "lamaze". I would encourage you to report them, not to be snarky to the hospital but b/c I care about the image of Lamaze. My

jesscardona · 01-16-2007, 10:34 AM

I want to be a CBE too, and I will do it with pfb or cappa.. I want to hopefully do it this yr. but PFB won't come to my state this yr.. and cappa is just a little expensive.. so I don't know..

MothertheMother · 01-16-2007, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jesscardona

I want to be a CBE too, and I will do it with pfb or cappa.. I want to hopefully do it this yr. but PFB won't come to my state this yr.. and cappa is just a little expensive.. so I don't know..

I LOVE PfB and would highly recommend this route but I wanted to add that the CAPPA route costs less than PfB. pretty sure anyway

jesscardona · 01-16-2007, 10:38 AM

hmm I will have to check that out then..