PfB travels the globe offering seminars and are always looking for hosts/sponsors.
Read about the process on the bottom of this page: host/sponsor a seminar And then email us!
Connection with state/regional candidate coordinator
Lamaze has a network of state/regional coordinators that serve as a resource for
you. Sometimes they can help with setting up class/birth/teaching opportunities, other times they can let you know what
is happening in the area around childbirth issues, other times they may be hosting continuing education opportunities.
Quarterly we will choose a book and have a discussion about the book, either via
conference call or webinar. Here are some under consideration, including a few of my favorites or are on the bed stand
dying to be read and one I am waiting anxiously for its publication in '09 (Robin is a PfB trainer). If you click
and order through here, a small percentage comes back to add funds to PfB scholarship fund.
For the recommended books for Lamaze certification, visit the Certification page .
Your seminar trainers will continue to support you as you complete the steps toward
certification. Send them an email if you want to share a celebration or need support on a barrier. All paperwork
must be sent to Passion for Birth but your seminar leader(s) are part of your support team. They will also be giving
you feedback on your course design.
One of the steps to Lamaze certification is to observe a childbirth class.
If that is not an option in your area, PfB has a set of DVDs that you can rent as an alternative. It's much more
fun to be part of a "live" class but this is an alternative when that is not an option. Series are taught
by Sharon Dalrymple and Ann Tumblin.
This is a quick way to connect with Teri, if I am on-line. Where it says Edit nick - click and type in your first name
and then type in your question. Be patient, I sometimes walk away from the computer, but I will be back!
Open door to PfB seminars
Once you have attended a PfB seminar, you are always welcome * to come back to another seminar (either
as an LCCE or if you need to "re-boot" as you become a dynamic CBE. The cost = providing yummy snacks/beverages
for the group - no need to pay the seminar fee again.)
(* Occasionally
a seminar may be sponsored by an organization and registration is closed)
PfB sends out a question of the day to those who attended a PfB seminar and are taking the next exam.
The questions will start on the exam registration deadline - September 15 for the October 08 exam.
PfB sets up special social network websites for each seminar. It's a place for everyone to post
introductions, follow-up on tasks started at the seminar, share resources and discoveries!
How is the PfB program different than other Childbirth
Educator training programs?
Teri Shilling, the CEO (Creative Energy
Organizer), is on a personal mission to stomp out boring and ineffective childbirth classes. Too often when she asks parents
if they took childbirth classes, they will respond, "yes, but they didn’t work" or "yes, but they were
boring." By completing the PfB program, you can be confident that the word "boring" will never cross the lips
of your class participants!! All of the trainers who lead the seminars are committed to facilitating interactive, dynamic,
evidence-based programs. We model what we preach. All of us are doulas, (attending births as our travel schedule allows) and
we are still active childbirth educators in our communities. PfB hopes everyone will take the Lamaze International certification
exam. Proudly we can say that we have had an extremely high pass rate for people who are writing it in English as their
first language. For those who are taking the exam in other languages than English, it’s more challenging. (very do-able
but challenging.) They are still dynamic, incredible educators!
When is it too late to register?
When PfB was started, we honestly
thought that most people would sign up a couple months in advance. But in reality, most people sign up very close to the start
of the seminar! It’s easier for us if we knew how many are coming, so we can plan handouts, snacks, space needs but
if you just heard we were in town and the seminar starts in the morning, please come!! You do get a small gift if you sign
up early (30 days in advance and you get an "Idea Box for the Creative and Interactive Childbirth Educator" or "Staying
Energized.") But it’s much better to "grab" a seminar while we are in your area. We have a flexible timeline
to complete things if you don’t have time to observe a cb class series or attend births or do any of the reading before
the seminar.
With that said, having a basic knowledge (like
what you get from taking a childbirth class) is helpful. So it's up to you.
Do I have to buy a Lamaze Study Guide?
"Worth it’s weight in gold" is what I hear
often about the Lamaze Study Guide. I also hear "how much does this weigh?" because it is a huge binder of incredible
articles. Do you "have to?", the answer depends on your background. If you are new to the field of childbirth education
and will be following the traditional path, yes, you need to order the study guide. (less expensive if you order through PfB
as a student than if you buy on line from Lamaze.) If you are an experienced educator and will be taking the exam as an OPEN
candidate (Lamaze sets the criteria for this - 144 documentable hours of teaching CBE) buying the LI study guide is not required,
just highly recommended. It’s based on the same competencies that the exam is, it’s full of up-to-date articles,
and is a valuable resource. The other frequent question is whether or not all the recommended books are required reading.
Look at the books, assess where your strengths are and if you have gaps. Buy, borrow, bum the ones in your "gap"
areas. If you have a smilar book to one listed, please email Teri e-mail teri@passionforbirth.com and ask if that would be an appropriate substitute. See the reading list tab for other cost saving
advice!
What is included with the $200 fee for traditional/new
people who want to become Lamaze certified?
The fee covers your
Lamaze International (which incudes your membership fee), the Learning Task Journal, feedback on your course design and it
opens the door for a lifetime of mentoring! The PfB Learning Task Journal which is a self-directed workbook of activities
to research, create, observe, etc. It also comes with a goodie bag with an inspirational tape of Kathy McGrath’s talk
on "Finding the Path", a pregnant lady pen, a Birth is Normal pin, Passion tea and more! When you sign up for this
packet, a special "purple" file will be opened for tracking all your "forms": birth observations, class
observations, seminar completion form, evaluation/feedback form from the childbirth educator who observes you teach. PfB then
submits the mandatory "Program Completion Form" to Lamaze that enables you to take the certification exam. This
fee also covers the review of your course design for approval. The alternative to applying and being part of the Passion
for Birth program is IF you are an experienced educator who can document at least 144 hours of teaching childbirth class and
the only part of Passion for Birth you will be a part of is the PfB seminar. You can order the Study Guide separately.
You may choose to order the packet, especially if you want the Learning Task Journal and goodies or feedback on your course
design, etc. etc.
How do I apply for a scholarship?
PfB wishes it had adequate
resources to grant financial assistance for everyone who inquires about getting a scholarship. Lamaze International does award
scholarships two times a year. Go to lamaze.org and search for scholarships.
PfB tries to maintain a fund but it
seems as soon as there is a balance, there is a need. What PfB does offer regularly is an extended payment plan. Payments
can also be charged to your credit card by going to paypal.com and sending payment to teri@passionforbirth.com.
The
other option is to host a seminar in your community. If at least 8 - 10 other childbirth educators register and pay for the
seminar, your seminar fees can be waived. You need to find a donated meeting space and coordinate low cost snacks. Email Teri
at e-mail teri@passionforbirth.com to find out if this is an option.
I love what PfB is doing, can I make a donation
for a scholarship?
YES, YES, YES!
We would love to expand our capabilites to award more scholarships, especially to those educators who want to reach communities
who are not provided chances to take emppwering childbirth education classes. You can donate directly to PfB or if for tax
reasons it may be advantageous to donate directly to Lamaze International (non-profit 501-c3 status) and they will earmark
funds for PfB participants. Thank you! Contact e-mail teri@passionforbirth.com
How do I find a childbirth class to observe?
Find the very best childbirth educator in your area and ask if you can observe her classes. Hopefully that
"very best" person will be Lamaze certified but if there are no Lamaze educators actively teaching or others who
are more highly recommended, send Teri a note with your observation completion form as to why you chose this person. There
is no benefit in watching a poor educator or one who is not evidenced based. If there is NOBODY to watch, PfB does have a
series of classes on DVD video tape you can borrow and watch to complete this component. But it’s much more fun and
rewarding to be involved with real people and an instructor you can dialogue with before and after class and may be a possible
mentor in the future.
To find a Lamaze Childbirth educator in your town go to
lamaze.org and go to the Childbirth educator locator. While on the Lamaze website, look up your Lamaze International
state coordinator and connect with her - she may have leads or recommendations in your
area.
When observing classes, remember you are an observer. Try to soak in as much as you can. Don’t be disruptive.
Volunteer to help set up or take down or bring snacks. Some educators allow you to observe for free, others have limited space
and turn down a paying enrollment to make room for you. Clarify if there is a charge before you watch a class series.
Even if you take classes when you were pregnant, you need to repeat the observation. You will benefit in different ways
than when you were persoannly facing birth and trying clarify all that information, skills, etc. If you watched a childbirth
class series for another program such as doula training or midwifery training, you can count that and fill out the documentation
form.
How can I arrange to be at births?
There are a couple ways to make the connections to do this. The easiest of course is
if you are able to attend friends and family member’s births.
The next possibility is to offer
support to members of the childbirth class you observe. They will know you and may appreciate the extra support.
You can volunteer at a teen program, crisis pregnancy center, at the hospital.
Talk to your midwife and/or ob/gyn to see if they can help you. You can also talk to
area hospitals to see if they will allow the observation.
There are now strict confidentiality rules that you will
abide by, called HIPPA. You can get a special letter from Teri verifying your enrollment in the childbirth educator training
program and your agreement to follow the hospital’s confidentiality protocols.
How do I set up practice teaching with a mentor/observer?
Be creative! By now you have surveyed your community and know where the teaching opportunities may be. Connect
with a LCCE and see if you can make arrangements to have her observe a class series you have organized or if she would consider
allowing you to teach her class under her supervision. Some experienced educators will volunteer to do this, others expect
payment and for you to be the volunteer per se. Clarify these issues before you start to teach. If there is NOBODY to observe
you, you have the option of taping the series and mailing it to Teri for watching and feedback. The feedback is not always
timely so it’s preferred that you find someone in your community.
Note: if your observer is not an LCCE, there is a special evaluation form for the people
in your class to complete.
Can I just take the seminar?
Yes, you can sign up for the seminar only. The seminar can award 20 VA and CA nursing
contact hours and 20 Lamaze contact hours.
If you are a new educator, attendance at the seminar only will not meet the requirements to take the Lamaze Certification
exam. But if you are an experienced educator, the seminar will meet 20 of 25 required Contact hours to take the exam.
If you are an LCCE (Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator) you are invited to apply for the 1 - 2 slots made available to
LCCEs at PfB seminars. There is a reduced ($195) seminar fees, you must attend the entire workshop. In some locations, there
is an option to "barter" to provide the snacks/beverages in lieu of the seminar fee. You serve as a resource person
and a possible small group leader. The CEUs you get can count toward re-certification.
And once you have been to
a PfB seminar, you are welcome to attend any PfB seminar - to get back on track, to get re-energized to serve as a resource
to new educators. Just contact Teri.
Will I be able to find a job teaching childbirth
classes after I finish the program?
This is the million dollar question and worth exploring before you leap into becoming a childbirth
educator. Survey your community - who offers classes? who is NOT going to classes and how could they be reached? Often times
there are classes at the hospitals, faith-based organizatoins, some Gymborees, community centers, private OB-Gyn offices -
the sky is the limit. Talk to educators in your community and see if there are predicted openings? Is there a potential clientele
to offer private classes to? Is there a need for special classes like sibling, over 35, pre-conception, grandparents, etc.
etc. Take the time to survey your community.
The exam is several months away and
I have completed the seminar, can start teaching?
The answer is yes. While you are waiting to take the examination and then waiting for the results,
you can say you have attended a Passion for Birth seminar, accredited by Lamaze International.
I have a question that wasn't
answered here, now what?
Send us any questions that you have - we will do our best
to answer and if we get asked the same question a couple times, we will add it here!
