Pre-Conception Class

[Animal_Lady]

I was wondering what you all thought of a pre-conception class. I am just starting to grow this little seed of a thought into an actual idea. I would like to include mostly information about nutrition and supplements that could help a couple conceive help the woman's body get into optimal condition to grow a baby. I would also like to include information on charting temps. It sounds silly when I say (type) it out loud. Darn.

What do you think? As professionals in the birth community, what topics would you like women and couples considering a pregnancy to know about before they get pregnant? What you you charge for something like that? How many classes in the series would be good? I was thinking of offering a discount to clients that take this series if they also signed up for doula services with me and/or childbirth education classes with me.

I am also hoping to start training as a childbirth educator next year, and I have already started my training as a doula. So in the next year or two I hope to be busy enough with all of this to quit my "regular" job and be at home more often.

Thanks for the feedback, I really value your input.

[dirtgirl]

I have been thinking about the same thing. If you haven't bought Garden of Fertility, check it out. There is a specific pathway to being certified to teach FAM on their website: http://www.gardenoffertility.com/teaching.shtml (I just ordered their teacher listing myself!)

Good luck!

[MamaRabbit]

I'm not certified to teach FAM, but I do teach a preconception class - it's about 6 hours.

I cover FAM, what you said about nutrition, and also a little bit about chosing a provider once pregnant (they can start looking now!).

[Animal_Lady]

I do own Garden of Fertility. I carried that book around with me EVERYWHERE when I was trying to learn how to chart for myself! I love that book. I will look into their certification requirements. Don't you have to have like, 3 years of personal charts before you can be certified?

[Animal_Lady]

Originally Posted by Animal_Lady

Don't you have to have like, 3 years of personal charts before you can be certified?

Never mind, it is 18 months. I got it. Still, my 3 months of charts is a long ways off from 18 months.

[Animal_Lady]

I bought a copy of Honoring Our Cycles for my youngest sister, (she just turned 17) and I think that I've talked to her so much about charting and what it can tell you about your body that she is all excited to start charting. I gave her a basal thermometer too. This was her birthday present from me... We are a bit unconventional in our family.

But one more woman out there learning about how to take charge of her own body!!! Yeah!!!

[Animal_Lady]

Looks like I am the only person that is going to post to my thread...

Would you include a copy of Honoring Out Cycles and a basal thermometer in your class price? I know that I could buy the books in bulk, and BT aren't too expensive. Plus it's hard to find a really good BT unless you hunt one down online. Most people that are just learning about FAM might not be committed enough to go hunting for one, and I know what a difference it can make to have a good one. Food for thought...

[momoftworedheads]

I think this is a great idea. You could also give information about the benefits of breastfeeding and doula and midwifery info.

I agree with the book you mentioned-I would add that into the class price.

How exciting to see a non-medical based pre-conception program!!!

Keep us posted!

Take care

[MamaRabbit]

That's a good idea. I think people would be more likely to start their charts that day if they had the correct thermometer in hand. I just made my own handouts and suggest other books if they really want to go in depth.

[Charmie981]

Is there anything against teaching FAM or NFP when not certified? Ie..is it like Bradley where the names are trademarked?

I think I'm going to get the study guide and start working on it, but I don't know if I'll EVER have 18 months of charts, honestly. I am terrible at charting my own cycles and I want to be pregnant YESTERDAY so I'd better not even have the opportunity to chart 18 cycles any time soon!

[Shell_Ell]

Originally Posted by Charmie981

Is there anything against teaching FAM or NFP when not certified? Ie..is it like Bradley where the names are trademarked?

There are no training programs in the US for FAM that lead to certification. If you learn of someone who teaches FAM, they are probably not certified. There is, however, a network that teachers can join and have to meet certain requirements/training first.

I believe most (all?) of the NFP certifications are through religious organizations.

[turtlewomyn]

I also think that you should talk about choosing a care provider, avoiding unnecessary interventions, etc. I had an unnecessary c-section, because I chose the wrong care provider. The interventions that led to my c-section started very early on (a 12 week U/S).

[zoebird]

i'm working on a specific preconception class--based on yoga. using yoga techniques to help increase fertility and wellbeing for parents getting pregnant.

i will offer information about many of hte topics mentioned here (FAM, herbals, diet, etc)--but the focus is on yoga for body/mind/spirit prep for pregnancy and parenting.

and so far, there's a good deal of interest in it. and people are willing to pay for it.

[MamaRabbit]

I really emphasize care giver choice. The OB who helped you conceive will most likely NOT be what you want for delivering your baby, even though he's such a "sweet/kind/___" person! I try to steer them towards midwifery before they get tossed into the pregnancy assembly line.