Childbirth Educator Training Options

[Nursin'Fool]

Hi! I'm a pre-natal yoga instructor, and I love working with pregnant women. I've had 3 children myself, and practiced yoga and breastfeeding with them all. I'd like to share this with others.

I'd like to take a Childbirth Educator course to increase my knowledge further. I know there are lots of different agencies that give certifications. Which one(s) do you recommend? I've checked out a few of them, including ALACE and ACBE.

Thanks for any thoughts and/or suggestions.

[courtenay_e]

I'm training with ALACE, and I really like the way it's structured. A bonus is that you don't have to attend a workshop and you also find someone you know to proctor the exam...so you can do it at YOUR OWN CONVENIENCE.

[Rockies5]

I've just completed the ALACE training, found the self-paced learning to be very compatable with having a life (with all the kids, working, and being a compulsive perfectionist homemaker...there was no way I could go to a conference!)

the tone of the learning was what drew me the most. very repectful of womens right to choose her own birth/providers but being origionally started as "informed homebirth and parenting" think it has more to offer then alot of courses, and I spent several years deciding which course to take. very organized and well thought out and it sets me apart in my community where everyone else is teaching Bradley or Lamaze. I wanted to work with the association that started with women and midwives, not drs teaching women how to birth:D But the wisdom of those who do BIRTH.

[Rockies5]

courtney, you no longer need the exam proctored. it's now "open book" and you can take it at home, with a babe on one breast like I did:love

[Nursin'Fool]

ALACE has a HUGE reading list. Did you guys read all those books? The reading list is actually what really impressed me. Many of the programs I looked at only required 3-5 books.

Thanks for the help, guys!! :)

[Rockies5]

i'd read all but 1 before i started. but its broken down as 1-2 rec and 1-2 optional per module. most you can find at the library or really cheap at ebay/half.com store. theres only 1-2 that are out of print and have to be ordered.

[Nursin'Fool]

I've looked into about 5-6 programs now, and I think ALACE fits best with me, my philosophy, and lifestyle.

I'm thinking of taking the plunge................

Thanks for the help, and I'd still love any more input people have.

[courtenay_e]

courtney, you no longer need the exam proctored. it's now "open book" and you can take it at home, with a babe on one breast like I did:love


Yeah, that's what I mean...it's an at home thing, but the conversation I had about a month ago is that they'd like you to have someone you trust "administer" the test.

[courtenay_e]

ALACE has a HUGE reading list. Did you guys read all those books? The reading list is actually what really impressed me. Many of the programs I looked at only required 3-5 books.

Thanks for the help, guys!! :)


Yup, I'd read many MANY of the required list before I'd started, simply because that stuff has always been of great interest to me. And it really was one of the reasons I chose ALACE, too. I felt as if they were expecting me to know my stuff before I shared with others! I feel as if I'm getting my MONEY's worth out of this "education," know what I mean?

[doula and mom]

I'm not a CBE, but I'm getting my doula training through ALACE, and I totally love them. I moved out of state right before my workshop and they were comletely accomadating of me taking a workshop in a different state and at a different time. The staff I talk to when I call the office are always really nice. Plus the woman who led my training workshop was amazing.

GO ASK ALACE! hee.

[courtenay_e]

Yup, I'm simultaneously taking doula training through ALACE as well, and I've found that every time I contact the office, I am treated so well...I really have enjoyed the contacts I've made with them. Geeze. It's a love fest! I sure hope someone from ALACE is on these boards to see it... :):love

[Nursin'Fool]

The lady I spoke to in the office was so nice too. I called yesterday and asked a MILLION questions about the program. Then, after much research, I called back to day to sign up and make my deposit. The lady remembered me and was like "yeah"! She said they had lots of yoga instructors and massage therapists who take their program, which I thought was great since I teach pre-natal yoga. Very helpful staff. :love

[courtenay_e]

Ooooh, being a yoga instructor (specifically prenatal) is on my five-year plan! :) How fun/cool! What kind of yoga do you teach?

[Nursin'Fool]

It is so much fun teaching pre-natal yoga. Most of the women are first time mothers, and are so full of joy and anticipation. :)

I teach sort of a relaxing/stretching/strengthening class. We also focus on breathing. I take a little from several schools of yoga, including Kundalini and Viniyoga.

[jraohc]

I'm doing ALACE. So far so good, but I just started a few weeks ago. Good luck!

[Rockies5]

Carole and others I assume you all know of the ALACE studygroup on yahoo?

its for both CBE and Doulas

[Nursin'Fool]

Rockies5: Do you have a link to the study group? That sounds cool!! Thanks!

[Rockies5]

here ya go

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ALACEstudygroup/

[Nursin'Fool]

Thanks Rockies5!!! :) I'm going to join!

[grace's voice]

My training is through PureBirth... it has been newly established as the 7th National Childbirth Orgnization (non-prophet), but the classes have been taught for the past 10 years with AWESOME outcomes. The training is far more extensive than any other availible. There is truly nothing that compares to it, and I have researched all of the other options. I'm on the board of directors, so I know the program pretty well! I'd be happy to answer questions if you have any, or I can email you some information if you (or anyone) are interested.
Best of luck!

[MamaRabbit]

I've just started the CBE program with Childbirth International (CBI). It's distance learning plus various other requirements. I'm having so much fun studying!

[Drewsmom]

This is not your run of the mill certification but I certified with Hypnobabies and I love it. I used hypnosis with both of my boys but not specifically the Hypnobabies course. I started to research it more after my second was born and absolutely loved it.

The information in the course I feel is so complete and having used hypnosis I know that it can greatly if not completely eliminate the pain associated with birth while being completely intune with the birth.

What I loved about it is that it incorporates everything that a regular childbirth ed class should (eg prenatal nutrition, excercise, anatomics of birth) as well as *great* great info about "consumer choices" which I think are absolutely key to having a great birth if the mom is going to go the hospital route which most do.

The woman who founded it was a Bradley instructor for appx 18 years before she started down the hypnosis path.

If you want any more information about it go to www.hypnobabies.com

Kristen