Becoming a Childbirth Educator

[mamallama]

I have just started a childbirth educator certification program. I've been wanting to do this for a long time, but the time (and money) hasn't been right until now. I'm so very excited to be doing something I feel so passionately about (aside from being a Mom), but I'm also having second thoughts.

What if I'm not good at this? I want to be a birth educator because I want to empower women. I want them to know that they have options, and I want to help them find the courage to choose the best options for themselves.

I don't want to present a model of normal birth only to have women feel disappointed and angry when their own experience doesn't match the template, but I want to be an educator because I think that most women have every right to feel disappointed and angry...if that makes any sense.

What qualities does a good birth educator have? How can I be sure that I am presenting and advocating normal birth in a way that doesn't leave women feeling badly about themselves if their experiences don't match their expectations?

[LittleBear1]

Sounds to me like you have all of the best qualities already- passion, desire, compasion, and knowledge. I think mothers-to-be would be very lucky to take a class from you. Birth is a different experience for everyone, but I think most people know that going in. What most women don't know is how capable and strong they are, and having someone show them that is a great gift you can provide. We are told so often about how hard and terrible labor is and so rarely told how empowering it can be - it is a message that needs to be given much more often.

[mama milkshake]

I agree! I know how you feel. I have thought a lot about becoming a Childbirth educator also and wondered if I had what it takes, but it sounds like you do. Your desire to help women and inform them as well as your realization that things may not turn out exactly as expected are what you need. The most important thing is that you will be letting women know that they do have choices and what those choises are, and you'll be supporting them. My childbirth educator changed my life. I almost took a class at the hospital because hers was full and I diddn't know any better, but she changed everything around for me and introduced me to natural childbirth, homebirth, AP, everything. We need more educators like her, you'll be great!

[crowbaby]

IMHO Compassion and Truth are the best things a teacher can bring to her students and it sounds like you have those in spades!

I am also studying to be a childbirth educator. I feel the same as you. I want to change childbirth into an empowering experience. I once saw a video of a woman who labored forever, she never dilated, even after pitocin, and ended up with a C-Sec. However, because she knew what was happening, because she knew how to let her needs be known to her birthing team, and that her opinions were respected, she felt empowered by the experience, rather than mediecally raped as some women I have known experienced.

I would like all the couples who go to you (and me) to have an incredeble and empowering experience, however, we know they all won't. That won't be your fault. You are one part of the birthing team. Some will have great experiences, others will have heartbreaking experiences. That's because, despite what medical technology leads us to believe, birth is still the great unknown.

Spirtual Midwifery, by Ina May Gaskin (sp?) is a great book to give you perspective on working with all kinds of people and outcomes.


Hope my Soap Box diatribe helps....

Karen :)

[lovesprout]

Hiya,
Who are y'all doing your childbirth education training through. A local place or a bigger organization?

[MamaRabbit]

Mamallama, you sound right on track!!! It is so worth the work.

Lovesprout, I'm doing my CBE training through Childbirth International.

[emmabella]

Congratulations!

I feel very strongly about the ICEA motto "freedom of choice based on knowlege of alternatives". When women are educated about all their options it empowers them make fulfilling birth choices. My success as an educator is felt most clearly in whether the woman feels satisfied/proud/joyful with their birth experience, not where or with whom she births or whether she has pain meds.