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How does a childbirth educator attend births??  

post #1 of 16
2/19/08 at 2:22pm
Thread Starter 
For those of you obtaining certification in childbirth education, and going through an organization that requires you to attend births, how did you do this? Did you simply have pregnant friends who allowed you to witness their births? Did you volunteer at a birth center? Did you call midwives and/or doulas and ask about it??

I honestly have no idea how to attend peoples' births as a student childbirth educator. I will need to attend at least four births within the next year, and I haven't the slightest idea of how or where to start. I don't have any pregnant friends.

How did you all do it? Or how do you plan on doing it? Any advice would be great cuz I'm stumped.
post #2 of 16
2/19/08 at 2:42pm
Could you contact a midwife or doula in your area and ask if you could attend a birth as an observer? I would imagine that there are some veteran moms out there who would be thrilled to have someone learn from their birth. That is what I would do, at least...
post #3 of 16
2/21/08 at 1:54pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by MKury View Post
Could you contact a midwife or doula in your area and ask if you could attend a birth as an observer? I would imagine that there are some veteran moms out there who would be thrilled to have someone learn from their birth. That is what I would do, at least...
Ah, this is a good idea! Is it common for students to observe homebirths? I wish there was a birth center around here...hmm...
post #4 of 16
2/21/08 at 4:08pm
What is your role at the birth supposed to be? Could you volunteer to be labor support for someone? I imagine what you've learned as a CBE would qualify you to provide doula-like services. Maybe you should post in Finding Your Tribe that you're seeking this experience, and certainly if you're offering some free doula support in exchange that seems fair. If you're just supposed to observe, that seems trickier.
post #5 of 16
2/21/08 at 4:28pm
Two options. Contact some other ooh classes in your area and speak to the instructor. Ask if they think any of their clients would be willing to let you observe. MANY will not...but many will, as well. Several of the women I have supported as a doula have ASKED that interns and residents be brought in if they can be quiet, because they WANT them to see what a natural birth looks like. OFtentimes, with one specific doc, if he knows my clients will have a nat. birth, will ask the client ahead of time if it's okay to do the same thing. People like that, who are okay with it because they WANT professionals to know what normal birth looks like, will be the ones who say yes.

The other option would be to list on freecycle or craigs list, OR to call a problem pregnancy center, and offer labor support for free. I actually got several of my qualifying doula births by listing on freecycle, and a couple others by working with a Bradley instructor...who let me speak during her class on birth plans and doulas. I traded the births for free and for low cost, because I was inexperienced and because it benefitted me by getting my cert. requirements fulfilled...but not everybody chooses to do that.

You can also list on bellywomen.net...there are always women looking for free labor support, if you're willing to do the support part!
post #6 of 16
2/21/08 at 4:36pm
I would suggest calling a local midwife and ask her if she has a client who wouldn't mind you attending as an observer.
I do doula training and I try to arrange for all of my local students to attend a birth with me - I have them meet witht the women ahead of time, sometimes on their own, sometimes during a prenatal visit.
Most women are totally willing to let a students observe. I make it very clear that they can say no.
Don't be afraid to ask...

Carla
post #7 of 16
2/21/08 at 4:39pm
Thread Starter 
But do you guys think it's ok to offer labor support, even when I'm not training to be a doula?

I'm definitely going to call the local midwives (and local means an hour away!) and ask them about observing.

I would absolutely love to offer labor support for free...especially to any mamas who can't afford a doula...I just don't know if I should, ethically, ya know? Mainly because, well, I'm not a doula!
post #8 of 16
2/21/08 at 4:51pm
The studies show that having a supportive woman IN THE ROOM have many of the positive benefits of having a doula. You tell them that you need to do it for your training, that you have read a LOT (and I'd suggest that if you haven't already read it, you read, "The Birth Partner" by Penny Simkin), and that you would love to help them, since you're going to be there anyway, rather than just being in the way! Doing things like getting her her water between contractions, telling her over and over and over that she's doing a great job, reminding her with touch or voice to relax tense parts of her body, reminding her to change position if her feet turn blue, or to pee every 45 minutes or so...those are very valuable, and helpful, and she would NOT be getting it from the nurses at the hospital. The constant, in the room, caring presence that you will provide will be a lot. You're not calling yourself a doula. You are saying that, in exchange for being allowed to attend their birth, you are willing to provide what support you are able (you might even show them some of the studies to show benefits!). That's all. Not selling yourself as something you're not!

I'd also suggest to try to do a couple of births a year in the hospital in this manner...it keeps you up to date on what the docs are doing, what the new drugs are, what the protocols in each hospital are...and that can translate to better info to your students.
post #9 of 16
2/21/08 at 4:53pm
And honestly, if you're planning to teach to homebirthers exclusively, then only attend homebirths...but if you're planning to teach to hospital birthers...the experiences are so darned different...that seeing an unhindered birth is a REALLY great experience, and I would suggest that you try to make ONE of your cert'ing births a homebirth...but they are in NO WAY indicative of what your clients planning to birth at a hospital will experience, in most cases...so if you're planning to teach to hospital birthers...see some hospital births, too!
post #10 of 16
2/21/08 at 5:01pm
Thread Starter 
courtenay, thank you SO MUCH. I am planning on teaching to both home and hospital birthers, as I believe that even if I do not change any hospital birthers' minds about homebirth, I can at least give them wonderful information to think about, and maybe they will consider homebirth for their next babies! But I want hospital birthers to feel welcome in my classes, too, as I definitely believe in informed choice! And, though I think it's more difficult, it is definitely possible to have a good birth in the hospital. Also important because transfer is always a possibility, and every homebirthing mama should be prepared for it. Just my opinion, for what it's worth.

I am going to do just what you have recommended--offer labor support for free to anyone who wants it! I have indeed read "The Birth Partner" (I actually own it), but I think I'll give it a re-read to refresh my memory. Are there any other labor support books you'd recommend? I'm pretty intuitive to people's needs...but I know I will be nervous for the first couple births, as I've never seen a human birth in person! So it's probably a good idea for me to do a bit more reading before I offer to support a birthing mama.
post #11 of 16
2/21/08 at 8:11pm
Ditto Courtenay. There's value in the wisdom of an experienced doula, certainly, but labor support isn't rocket science. You need your intuition, your calm, your knowledge, and your hands. You'll be fine!
post #12 of 16
2/22/08 at 2:19pm
Thread Starter 
Thank you, Elizabeth!
post #13 of 16
2/27/08 at 11:05am
Thread Starter 
Just wanted to bump this up one more time to see if anyone can recommend any good labor support books? I have "The Birth Partner", so I'm just wondering if there's anything else.
post #14 of 16
2/27/08 at 2:44pm
I just wanted to add that in my area there is an organization that trains "birth companions" to support at-risk moms who don't have a lot of support on a voluntary basis. They offer free training & match you up with at least 4 moms in the first two years. I am going to be doing this to complement my on-line CBI Doula/CBE course.
Maybe there's something like this in your area?
post #15 of 16
2/28/08 at 7:26pm
Hi Feminine Earth....

I can't speak to ALL certifying bodies and their requirements, but since I know you are taking BFW training, I thought it might be helpful for you to know that what they are looking for is for you to have experience with four births OR postpartum periods. So either supporting moms at their births, or supporting moms in the initial postpartum period. This experience is incredibly valuable, especially since you are not a doula! If you find attending four births challenging, you can meet some of the four requirements through postpartum assistance.

Keep in mind that once you are teaching (which you will be right away, before you get certified) you will have opportunity to meet many women in your classes and will develop close relationships with them while you're teaching. Often they will ASK you to be at their birth!

Good luck!
post #16 of 16
2/29/08 at 11:16am
Thread Starter 
That is great news, Sarahfina! Thank you so much for sharing! I feel much better about it now.

And yes, I cannot wait to start teaching! I'm totally nervous, but very, very excited!!
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