cbe (not certified) start up advice

[hellyaellen]

I really want to start teaching cb classes. I'm thinking of designing sort of a weekend "crash course" type thing. I want to focus mainly on the labor process, risks/benefits of interventions and natural pain management.

I'm targeting both the woman who hasn't done a lot of reading but is starting to get panicky now that she's close to delivery and the woman who really wants a natural birth. Do you think I can target both?

I don't want to charge a lot for the class because I want to reach women who may not take the class if it costs a lot. Any one charge on a sliding scale? How does that work?

I also don't want to teach in my home but want to find some other place that I can use. Where do you teach if you don't use your home? What kind of rental fees do you pay?

And for those who are also not certified how do you market yourselves? I need to do some networking I'm sure but I don't really know who to approach. Are drs going to be willing to refer their clients to me as an un-certified teacher? Will moms call if I just distribute flyers? Anyone ever bought a mailing list and gone that route?

I'm sure I'll come up with more questions....

[courtenay_e]

I'm working on a class given in the community ed building in our town. Generally classes in our area are around $70-$100 for a six week course in the community ed catalog. So, I figure that's much less than the going rate for most of the childbirth ed classes being offered out of hospital, but about what the rate is for IN hospital classes. The building is provided for me granted the space isn't so homey, but still there and maintenance free for me. I'm also considering doing two separate classes, one a "cesarean prevention class" for women in early pregnancy, when addressing care provider, place of birth, diet, and exercise can make a significant difference in the choices the mothers make, and then a class for later in pregnancy about labor, birth, and attaining a natural birth.

[MindfulBirth]

You might ask around at community centers and playspaces in the area. If you belong to a church or synagogue, you could ask if you could use space there.

You might find that the woman who is more likely to take a last minute crash course is not necessarily the woman who is wanting a planned natural childbirth. I get the feeling that most natural birthers do a ton of reading! Maybe the course could focus on parenting prep, with the labor/delivery points gently pointing to why a non-medicated birth is better for baby.

All the best!

[SublimeBirthGirl]

Originally Posted by hellyaellen

I really want to start teaching cb classes. I'm thinking of designing sort of a weekend "crash course" type thing. I want to focus mainly on the labor process, risks/benefits of interventions and natural pain management.

I'm targeting both the woman who hasn't done a lot of reading but is starting to get panicky now that she's close to delivery and the woman who really wants a natural birth. Do you think I can target both?

Are you planning different classes? I don't know that the same class could target both very easily.

I don't want to charge a lot for the class because I want to reach women who may not take the class if it costs a lot. Any one charge on a sliding scale? How does that work?

Make sure you don't devalue your services. People will often value a product or service as much as the person providing it does. Charge a fair price for your time.

I also don't want to teach in my home but want to find some other place that I can use. Where do you teach if you don't use your home? What kind of rental fees do you pay?

I teach out of chiropractors' offices. I've never had one charge me.

And for those who are also not certified how do you market yourselves? I need to do some networking I'm sure but I don't really know who to approach. Are drs going to be willing to refer their clients to me as an un-certified teacher? Will moms call if I just distribute flyers? Anyone ever bought a mailing list and gone that route?

I'm sure I'll come up with more questions....

I was originally certified in the Bradley Method. I now teach my own class so I'm only certified by my own company. In my 3 years of teaching, along with the 2 other teachers I work with, we have received, collectively, ONE referral from an OB. Don't count on OBs. You have to network. We do mailings. We do booths/tables at festivals, health fairs, etc. We hand out brochures and brochure holders to individuals. We get involved with the birth community as much as possible.

[hellyaellen]

Originally Posted by courtenay_e

I'm working on a class given in the community ed building in our town. Generally classes in our area are around $70-$100 for a six week course in the community ed catalog. So, I figure that's much less than the going rate for most of the childbirth ed classes being offered out of hospital, but about what the rate is for IN hospital classes. The building is provided for me granted the space isn't so homey, but still there and maintenance free for me. I'm also considering doing two separate classes, one a "cesarean prevention class" for women in early pregnancy, when addressing care provider, place of birth, diet, and exercise can make a significant difference in the choices the mothers make, and then a class for later in pregnancy about labor, birth, and attaining a natural birth.

Hoe did you get set up to teach at the community ed building? I wonder if I could teach through the dept of recreation? (they offer lots of types of classes)

I like the idea of a cesarean prevention class....

[hellyaellen]

Originally Posted by MindfulBirth

You might ask around at community centers and playspaces in the area. If you belong to a church or synagogue, you could ask if you could use space there.

You might find that the woman who is more likely to take a last minute crash course is not necessarily the woman who is wanting a planned natural childbirth. I get the feeling that most natural birthers do a ton of reading! Maybe the course could focus on parenting prep, with the labor/delivery points gently pointing to why a non-medicated birth is better for baby.

All the best!

i actually know a few people who showed up at the hospital "too late" for the epidural, so not all natural births are planned. I think it would beneficial for these moms to have the benfit of some instruction in natural pain management. Selling them on that idea? I don't know....I'm here to learn:

[hellyaellen]

Originally Posted by SublimeBirthGirl

Are you planning different classes? I don't know that the same class could target both very easily.



Make sure you don't devalue your services. People will often value a product or service as much as the person providing it does. Charge a fair price for your time.



I teach out of chiropractors' offices. I've never had one charge me.



I was originally certified in the Bradley Method. I now teach my own class so I'm only certified by my own company. In my 3 years of teaching, along with the 2 other teachers I work with, we have received, collectively, ONE referral from an OB. Don't count on OBs. You have to network. We do mailings. We do booths/tables at festivals, health fairs, etc. We hand out brochures and brochure holders to individuals. We get involved with the birth community as much as possible.

It looks like i may be planning 2 different classes here.

I don't want to devalue my services butI don't want to charge more than some one can pay either. I was thinking somewhere between $25-$75??? While profit is not myu main motivator, it is a factor ykwim?

I can think of a few non-ob sources of refferals. Theres a breastfeeding group in town that works with pregnant moms, i've heard there are a few hombirth midwives,etc. guess i've got some research to do.

[MindfulBirth]

Originally Posted by hellyaellen

i actually know a few people who showed up at the hospital "too late" for the epidural, so not all natural births are planned. I think it would beneficial for these moms to have the benfit of some instruction in natural pain management. Selling them on that idea? I don't know....I'm here to learn:

Of course they should have instruction in natural pain management, just as natural birthers should know what to expect in the event of a C-birth. As far as selling them...don't. A hard sell would turn them off. Just give a few facts in passing. Offer a lending library of books like "Active Birth" and such.

[courtenay_e]

Originally Posted by hellyaellen

Hoe did you get set up to teach at the community ed building? I wonder if I could teach through the dept of recreation? (they offer lots of types of classes)

I like the idea of a cesarean prevention class....

My kids take an irish dance class through the community ed program. Their teacher has something like 25 years of experience and used to own her own place. I was talking to her about why she doesn't anymore. She said it's simple. No overhead, no paperwork, no collecting money from the families. She shows up, gets her list of students, and does the part she LIKES...teaching people to dance irish dance. That got me to thinking. She even gets "free" publicity, as the booklets go out to every household within the school district. Not that people LOOKING for childbirth ed would necessarily look there, however, it might get people like grandmas and neighbors talking, anyway!

Then, during my kids' class one day, I strolled into the office and asked what it'd entail to set up a class. Basically if you're willing to teach a class, they are willing to help you do it. It's a win/win situation.

[hellyaellen]

thats sounds like what i'm looking for...i'll have to look into it.

[hellyaellen]

so i called the recreation dept and its sounds very do-able. its an 80/20 split, they do all the advertising, and provide the classroom.

i need to find out about restrictions on doing any of my own advertisingg as well as the availability of audio visual set ups but other than that (oh and designing a class ) i'm ready togo