Anyone training with CAPPA right now?

[winnie]

After going over all the different courses, I finally decided to go with CAPPA (CAPPA Canada, actually)- I will be taking their Childbirth Educator course as well as the Postpartum Doula course for now, by distance. Later, I will definately want to do the Labour Doula workshop - I believe there will be one in my area this year - and likely the Lactation Educator course at some point too! I was happy to find out that by taking the distance courses, I am qualified to go to those workshops later for NO charge!!

I'm so excited for my materials to arrive. I have spent the last year trying to figure out what to do with myself as DS grows up, and I finally feel like I've found something that suits me and that I can be really excited about.

Is anyone else training with CAPPA right now? By distance, or did you do a workshop? Would love to hear about all your experiences, what parts of the courses you have enjoyed, if you have had trouble with any of it, etc.

Also, other than alldoulas.com, is there any discussion board for doulas/postpartum doulas or childbirth educators? I have so many questions and would just love to chat with anyone doing the same thing.

Thanks,
winn

[teachinmaof3]

I took the LD/CBE training last July. I went to a workshop (I can share more about that with you via pm if you're interested in knowing about that).
About three weeks ago I was finally able to mail in my CBE paperwork and test.

So far so good....very easy to complete the requirements.

[aylaanne]

I did the workshop for CBE, and I enjoyed it. I bought my cert packet but because of other stuff I had to do in my life, I wasn't able to complete some of the other requirements (like attending classes). My packet expires in November and I haven't decided whether I'm going to try to finish it or just go through someone else.

At my workshop there was a woman there who was doing that and Lamaze, and she said she liked Lamaze better. I'm checking it out but not really stressing it.

[winnie]

Hi there,

Heather, I will send you a pm!

Ayla, I did see that they will give you an extra year if you had reasons for not being able to complete the work - you may want to look into that? Just a thought, since you did already pay for it. Then again if you have more interest in doing lamaze you may not want to put in the additional work!

From what I've read, CAPPA allows you freedom in what you teach - is that right? I think that's great, so that I can still teach everything they need to know, with extra emphasis on attachment parenting topics, and teach them everything they could possibly know about having a natural birth.

In the prenatal class I took, there was no mention of babywearing and I really think that should have at least come up in the baby care class, if only for a 5 minute discussion so that parents are aware of it - maybe even include some handouts with a little instruction and resources. Of course, that is something I plan on helping new families with when I get into postpartum doula work - I will bring my slings with me.

winn

[teachinmaof3]

From what I've read, CAPPA allows you freedom in what you teach - is that right? I think that's great, so that I can still teach everything they need to know, with extra emphasis on attachment parenting topics, and teach them everything they could possibly know about having a natural birth.

Yes, as long as you stay within the scope of practice of course.

I do include topics like babywearing, cosleeping, etc in my classes.

[winnie]

Great.

Do you try to present everything un-biased, or do you make it obvious that you lean towards things like natural birth, cosleeping, etc (assuming that you believe in those things).

I think I would have a bit of a problem talking about all the drugs that can be used during labour without reeeeally going over all the side effects, and basically trying to get everyone to understand that they should try to avoid them if possible. Would this make for a bad class though? I know that in the prenatal class I attended, out of the 10 couples there, only 2 of us actually planned to have a natural birth, and the others wanted to find out about all the drugs they could take.

winn

[teachinmaof3]

Do you try to present everything un-biased, or do you make it obvious that you lean towards things like natural birth, cosleeping, etc (assuming that you believe in those things).

I do make it obivous that I am VERY pro-natural birth but I do cover medications and interventions. My main reasoning being, women planning a natural birth can have unexpected things arise or a homebirth Mama may need to transport. So while they may not be planning to use those things and even if you are teaching a natural-birth-only class, they need to be prepared and know about them.

I do try to give balanced information, present them with their options, and teach them the questions to ask when making an informed decision. It's important to remember that part of being in this business is helping to empower women to have the birth THEY want to have and be empowered to be great parents. And many times that means they'll choose something you don't agree with. But what is important is that they get as much information on the subject as possible to make an informed decision.

I think I would have a bit of a problem talking about all the drugs that can be used during labour without reeeeally going over all the side effects, and basically trying to get everyone to understand that they should try to avoid them if possible.

Yes, it's important to know side effects. On the other hand, sometimes an epidural can be beneficial to a woman who's labored for 20+ hours and needs a break so her body will finish dilating.

As educator you have to be careful not to let your personal bias come through (I do admit, I have made some comments in a couple of my classes...however, only when I KNOW that the couples shared the same beliefs about the subject as I have). The couples may look to you as an authority and support and if they don't live up to the opinions you shared in class, they may feel as if they failed you.

[winnie]

Thanks for such a thoughtful reply.

I really agree with everything you said - of course you are right, that everyone needs to know *all* the information, because interventions may end up being used, and the parents need to be educated so they know what is going on at all times.

Although I would love to only teach classes to women/couples who are going to try for a natural birth, I don't see that being possible - it seems that they are really a minority. My hope is that I can make everyone see that it is the best way to go though, even if they came into the class with plans for an epidural!
I hope to also teach some private lessons in people's homes, and feel like with a smaller group I may get more of a sense of what they are hoping for - so can then work with them in the best way possible.

Thanks again,
winn