Advice for new CBE

[linaee]

On July 24, I will begin teaching a 6-week series of natural childbirth calsses. I'm wondering if any of you have any words of wisdom for me?

I am getting guidance from my midwives and a wonderful doula from the Greenhouse Birth Center in Okemos, MI, but I would love to hear any other advice, etc from you all...

Thanks in advance.

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[SublimeBirthGirl]

For me the hardest part but the thing that has been most important has been to remember that my students make their own decisions, that it's their birth, not mine, and I don't have to take any of it personally. Sometimes they ignore everything you say, and a lot of the time that means the birth doesn't go the way they'd hoped. It's hard to watch. When you're immersed in it, you can really see how predictable things can be under obstetric care. But if you're teaching a homebirth class, that's awesome Hopefully you won't run into that!

[chandasz]

The above poster is right on!

Other things to help.... a sense of humor goes a long way. Repetition is good. Use games to engage people.

Let the passion for what you teach shine through. It is catchy.

[Veritaserum]

I've also enjoyed sitting back and letting them teach each other. Like, for a class on interventions, I have them bring up interventions they've heard of, have them give reasons why they think they're done, what risks there might be, what alternatives there are, etc. I just fill in the gaps.

As Laura said, you really have to not take it personally if they choose to ignore everything you've said. It's frustrating to see them do it, but at the end of the day it's their experience. I do wonder why some of them take the class if they're going to ignore the info, though. Oh well!

[onlyboys]

I love that Laura.

Just recently, the question came up in my classes about cosleeping. I asked one of the veteran moms about her experience, and voila! Much discussion ensued.

[mama2annabelle]

Get the class involved! I find this is the key to a sucsessful class. I like to ask lots of questions to draw out participation. Like Laura mentioned, have them talk about what they know about a certain topic and fill in the gaps. I really dislike when I have a quiet class because then I feel like I am lecturing.

[linaee]

Thank you...more questions

Thank you all for your advice. I plan to incorporate many of the thinsg you mentioned into my curriculum. I am going to attend an ICEA teacher training course this Mon-Wed to get my credits and then I begin teaching the following week. I have been attending the birth classes at the birth center where I had my 2nd baby boy and that has been great. But, it's almost time to "cut the cord" and go on my own.

I have to say I am most nervous about them asking questions that I don't know the answer to, even though I know that is bound to happen. There are 4 couples registered for my first series. These will be strictly hospital clients that are seeking a natural birth. I already have a La Leche Leader coming that is a friend to guest speak on bf-ing. Also, I plan to have a reunion class, so right now for the last class, I have two friends scheduled who are going to tell their stories. Both were natural births in different local hospitals. One was a 36+ hour VBAC labor with a doula and one was a 7+ hour first-time birth with a midwife.

Do you think it would be good to have a doula come visit the class as well? I am very active in the birth community here and I know several doulas who would love to help out.

Please let me know what you think and thankyou again for the advice.

Blessings.

[koru]

i'm not a CBE instructor yet (just starting my work) but i would definitely suggest having a doula speak during a class. we had a doula come to the bradley class i took & it influenced my life path! i was working as a nurse in an urban teaching hospital but have since certified to be a doula & am wanting to teach CBE, as well.

[JunipersMom]

If you dont know the answer - be honest.. say I'm not sure.. and then depending on the question... tell them they need to ask their midwife about that - or research it after the class and find their answer by the next class.
You'll do fine - and you'll probably change alot from your first class to your next series as you find things that work and others that may not.