[mitintraining]

<p>Hey ladies I have a couple of ?'s for you.  I live in an area where there is one bradley teacher and 2 hospital lamaze teachers.  I am thinking about starting a childbirth class.  I am not sure on following a method precisely.  I have taken Bradley myself two times, been a doula for 5 years-certified with DONA, and given prenatal education classes to my clients during that time.  I am wondering if I should think about certifying with a group.  I am not sure about Bradley, as I am unsure of their direction and there is already one certified teacher in town-about 200,000 people.  I also am nervous about a formulaic approach to birth, I am not sure that it 'works' for every women, the close your eyes, don't close your eyes, stand up, lay down, etc etc.  So if you certified with an agency, why did you do it, did it help you gain clients, was it worth the investment?  Thanks in advance for your help</p>

 

[momto9kidlets]

<p>In all honesty I certified through CAPPA years ago because I wanted that "credential" - that is just the type of person I am.  Then the hospital I work for required certification through Lamaze or ICEA and so I opted to go with ICEA.  I ended up letting my CAPPA certification go because quite honestly it was just too costly to keep memberships going in multiple organizations (at the time I had certifications through five different organizations and now I have cut that down to three). </p>
<p> </p>
<p>As far as helping me get clients - nope.  I haven't gotten anymore calls for private clients now then I did when I wasn't certified.  In my area Bradley is big and quite honestly the one educator who teaches is seems to be the only busy one. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>It was worth the investment for me so that I could keep my hospital teaching job - it is semi regular money.  It wouldn't have been worth it though if I were teaching privately. </p>

 

[dajones]

<p>There is a new organization certifying Bradley teachers. They are using current reseach, updated materials, including a new workbook, and they are working on their webiste. It looks awesome, go check it out <a href="http://www.bradleyreborn.com" target="_blank">www.bradleyreborn.com</a></p>

 

[BirthWithFaith]

<p>There's a new org for natural birth educators - <a href="http://www.BrioBirth.com" target="_blank">www.BrioBirth.com</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>I hope this helps!!</p>

 

[Bekka]

<p>I did a lot of research and found BirthWorks.  I had a great Bradley experience as a student but when I reviewed the materials I didn't find everything meshed with my current values about birth.  BirthWorks is a good match and has more flexibility in their curriculum and in the length of time certification takes (which is taking longer than I expected...).</p>
<p> </p>

 

[phathui5]

<p>I'm currently in the process of certifying as a BirthWorks childbirth class facilitator. I took the training workshop in October and <strong>loved</strong> it. BirthWorks really fits with my philosophy about birth and they offer comprehensive, evidence-based classes.</p>

 

[jennybean0722]

<p>The bradleyreborn.com site you listed twice here isn't working!!!! </p>
<p> </p>

 

[LaurenAnanas]

<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>jennybean0722</strong> <a href="/community/forum/thread/1282384/for-childbirth-educators-about-certifying#post_16103756"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-right:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-bottom:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>The bradleyreborn.com site you listed twice here isn't working!!!! </p>
<p> </p>
</div>
</div>
<p><br><a href="http://www.briobirth.com/" target="_blank">http://www.briobirth.com/</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>I believe the AAHCC has blocked them from using the Bradley name for now.<br>
 </p>

 

[carrierwright]

<p>BR is being sued for using a registered name I think. The biggest plus to being accredited through someone (Bradley, ICEA, maybe Briobirth (we'll know more in a few months), etc) is that they get your name out. Bradley, Lamaze, and to some extent Birth Works already have their names out there in all of the pregnancy books so moms automatically go to those websites and find you. If you do a lesser known method of teaching, you'll just have to do a lot of community outreach to get your classes filled. I agree that it's important to embrace the birthing method that you feel comfortable with. My LLL history still has me saying in all the birthing classes, "Take what is helpful and leave the rest" Good luck in your teaching!</p>

 

[mitintraining]

<p>thanks again for the advice.  I agree that the accreditation can give you more clients.  In the area I live-just moved back to after being gone 18 months, I did tons of community outreach.  I vice-chaired a non-profit organization that put together monthly new/expecting parent forums at the local libraries(many of which I taught), baby fairs, and workshops.  I was interviewed by the local papers and community magazines about parenting, pregnancy, natural childbirth and breast feeding.  I also am good friends and have a good working relationship with many care providers in the area.  I feel like when I was certified through DONA very few, like maybe 1 or 2, actually got my information from the website.  That may be different with childbirth classes, but I am fairly connected in the community so I feel like I could make a go of it. I just realized that this post sounds horrible, like I am bragging, but I certainly did not intend for that!  Sorry!  I am more wondering if people felt it gave them more validation, being a 'known' name in the birth arena?  I guess I like the idea of having the name to stand behind, but the money aspect is outrageous, even for the newer ones.  I also feel like doing the Bradley Reborn would put me in direct competition with the Bradley teacher in town, even inadvertently, and I really cannot afford to do the AAHCC, nor do I want to add competition to the teacher in town.  I also feel like once you advertise and put materials together are you really getting a discount by being certified, you are still paying for the materials, correct?  I am a simplistic person who really feels like things are kind of crazy when it comes to accreditation.  Especially when you take into consideration the cost involved.   Thanks again for all your input.  </p>