Childbirth International (CBI)

teachinmamaof4 · 09-20-2006, 12:04 AM

Do you feel well equipped with your training?? How do/did you like the training??

Acacia · 09-20-2006, 09:15 AM

I feel pretty well equipped. There are some things that I am struggling with such as the double hip squeeze but that's because she doesn't have the video up yet. I love having the chat sessions to talk with the higher ups about problems or questions I have. I also like having a trainer. I love to read though and work well at my own pace. I also love that I can work at home or away because all of my resources are on the computer. Anyway...back to your original question, I do struggle with the hands on things but that will change soon when Nikki gets the videos and the "how to" up on the hands on support.

joandchris18 · 09-20-2006, 10:55 AM

I liked it alot just because of the online access. It is a good idea to shadow another doula at least once in any case. But with all the knowledge I got, since it takes at least 6 months to cover everything, I felt very informationaly prepared. I hope that makes since. With each birth I attend I feal more confident, but I think that part would be the same with any training I took.

SydneyDoula · 09-21-2006, 11:13 PM

I'm currently studying through CBI and anm loving it! I've been sloooowly studying for about a year so it's been perfect to be able to do it in my own time.
Especially now with a little one of my own the flexibility is essential.
I've found the trainers amazing, so helpful.

Cassie · 09-23-2006, 02:15 PM

Hi. I'm doing my training through CBI and so far, so good. I think the first section that I studied through was really informative and had a lot of good information. I'm dragging my feet on the 2nd section because of all the technical terms I need to study. Hopefully I'll have some time to really devote to it while my kids are sleeping.

AussieDoula · 09-23-2006, 03:10 PM

I liked CBI, very thorough and comprehensive. I enjoyed the little self-assignments and linked articles. Since they spell out everything step-by-step it's great for a Doula just starting out or for a Doula who wants to make sure there are no holes in her training/learning.

Personally, the majority of the curriculum were things I had already researched and knew (but that's because I spend much of my time reading books and trawling the internet). It's a nice, well-rounded training - could use some more detail on the postpartum period (I believe they are in the process of adding postpartum training/certification though, along with lactation education).

Overall, I loved it but there were a few small issues that turned me off a little (nothing to do with the actual learning, although some of the typos were VERY distracting for me).

Having said that, I would still recommend CBI to anyone considering them.

supportingmom · 09-23-2006, 03:53 PM

yes the typos make me nuts. otherwise I really like them. What I like best is how responsive they are. quick to answer any questions and always call back the same day.

teachinmamaof4 · 09-23-2006, 05:15 PM

I've heard that about the typos.

Quote:

for a Doula who wants to make sure there are no holes in her training/learning.

Just what I needed to hear. That's exactly why I'm considering it.

*sigh* Now to find the money......

AussieDoula · 09-23-2006, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teachinmamaof4

*sigh* Now to find the money......

The good news with that is you will only have to pay once for your certification and it will be for life (although, as I've said before on other threads there are some debatable drawbacks to that). Also, they don't require you to be a member even after certifying through them, because they want their members to choose to be a part of their organisation, and not feel forced or obligated to (again, has some negative aspects but if money is a large part of your motivation you can't go wrong hehe).

teachinmamaof4 · 09-23-2006, 07:10 PM

Yeah. I'm still trying to decide if I want to be certified.

If it's what I need to do then the financial part will all come together. I'm just impatient and want to start yesterday.

My MIL had offered to pay for a training here in OK. But it ended up being cancelled.

I've never given her the $ back (just keep forgetting) and feel weird saying, "Oh hey, I found another doula training I want to take. Can I keep this money?"

capandcradle · 09-23-2006, 07:22 PM

I never renewed my certification when it lapsed for several reasons.... I know what I know, have more experience --practically and academically -- than some of the workshop leaders, and have been turned off by some institutional policies.

That said, I feel strongly that for those new to the field, workshops and trainings are extraordinarily beneficial. I've attended in-person trainings from several organizations, and the "bones" seem to be pretty much the same.

One that I'd really, really like to do is BIRTHING FROM WITHIN. I found that book and philosophy radically extraordinary and completely unlike the rest of the market.

teachinmamaof4 · 09-23-2006, 07:46 PM

I've already attended a training.

Loripen · 10-24-2006, 08:10 PM

I'm beginning to decide what organization to certify with and I'm interested in knowing who has been certified by CBI and how long it took to become certified and how many hours a week you worked on it? Are there tons of written assignments in the student manuals? Just looking for any feedback you may have so I can get an idea of the time commitment involved. Thanks!

Cassie · 10-24-2006, 08:19 PM

I'm currenty training through CBI. I can't tell you how many hours I work, but I don't think there's tons of written assignments. There are some that you do for personal reflection, but it's not a lot! If I didn't have a 4 mo old, I'm sure I'd be almost done with the manuals at least.

Acacia · 10-24-2006, 08:31 PM

I am pretty much through the program ( I have to turn in my final draft communication assignment and attend my births and I will be certified. I started working on it in March. I can't say how many hours I put into it because I seriously have no idea. I have 2 children under the age of 3 so my life is chaos most of the time. I have found ways to work around it though. I think it can be completed in 6 months but I would say you would have to work on it about 10-15 hours per week to get that done. As far as written assignments are concerned there is only 1 major one to do and that is the communication assignment. That does take quite a bit of time, but it isn't difficult. The other written assignments are at the end of each chapter and don't have to be turned in. They are for your personal benefit. The physiology quiz section doesn't take all that much time either and you can save your work and complete it later. I like the fact that you can work online or from the actual books so that even on trips and such you can be working on it. I tended to work a lot when the kids would go to bed. Hope this helps!