How Do I Become a Childbirth Educator?
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Kaely Harrod 0:01
We have another question that was sent in by a listener. This question is from Percy, who is a doula with your full moon doula. And she asks My question is how do I become a childbirth educator? So that is what we're diving into today
Kaely Harrod 0:27
welcome to doula Tips and Tips, the podcast where I answer one question about pregnancy postpartum, or lactation. This is a space where it's safe to have questions and we're gonna give you real answers. We're not gonna beat around the bush or give you what we want you to know. We're going to answer in an evidence based way. I'm Kaylee Herat and experience doula mom of three lactation counselor and a childbirth educator. I started this work in part because of my own lack of answers in my journey of pregnancy and birth. And I'm on a mission for families to be well informed and well supported through this time. This is a space where you will learn about questions that you didn't even know that you should be asking, and have answers to ones that you're already asking. The whole purpose here is for you to feel a bit more educated and informed and competent in this journey that often feels very new, and a little bit disconcerting. If you have not already I would love for you to subscribe to this podcast so that you get updates when there are new episodes, or head to our website. Hurrah doula services.com to subscribe to our email updates so that you get notifications when we have a new episode Episodes Episode out. Thank you for joining us today. Okay, so becoming a childbirth educator is one of the things that many doulas decide to do, because it doesn't require you being on call right? In this doula work because of the Aanchal nature and the urgency factor of some of the work. It is really lovely and more sustainable in some ways to add services that can be scheduled that are a bit more predictable. Now, childbirth education is kind of a natural outpouring of being especially a birth doula, but also even a postpartum doula. However, it's similar to doula work in that there are many different ways to go about being trained or certified, etc. And so this episode isn't going to say, I mean, you know, me at this point, if you haven't been around welcome. And also, this is how I answered things. There isn't just a single way to do that, right. And there isn't a best organization. Although I know that some people believe that one organization is best or whatever. I'm firmly not of that opinion, I think what's most helpful is to kind of investigate your options, with a couple of strategic questions in mind, to help you kind of gauge what would be a good fit. Okay. Now, one thing that I want you to think about is, what type of childbirth educator do you want to be? And what I mean when I say that is, are you hoping to teach like, weakened childbirth classes, that's, that's what we call kind of like basic childbirth Ed, right? Or like childbirth Ed Express, like, just kind of like the the absolute basics of birth. I'm not saying those classes aren't amazing. I teach those classes, I think they're great. But also, they're not the same as some of the more like comprehensive or like specific math method kind of classes. We'll be right back after this message from our sponsor. The birth prep blueprint course, is a guide from pregnancy to postpartum, giving you the competence to walk through this journey. However it might play out. It is pre recorded on demand content, so you do not have to fit your busy schedule around a class or meeting time. You can go back and revisit the lessons as much as you need to, and you can watch or listen to them on your own time. This curriculum has left many families feeling confident in their decisions, knowing what questions to ask their providers, and knowing when they should be concerned in all of these periods. One of the biggest parts of this work in terms of preparing families and walking through this journey is knowing that you have a guide to rely on and that's exactly what this class is. Students have told me they felt like I was walking them along a path to know what to watch for and what to not be worried about. Because you are here as a listener, you get the opportunity to have a 10 person Get off discount on this class, that code is podcast, it is in the shownotes. As well along with the link to use to check out for the class, I do really recommend that you go give it a look, because it is going to make you feel more prepared calm and confident for your birthing experience. Now back to your episode. So when we're thinking about types of childbirth, Ed, I want you to think through like, would you want to specialize in a particular kind? Like, for instance, something that includes hypnosis, something that includes mindfulness, something that includes like is only unmedicated or is for hospital birth, right? Kind of honing in on what is your specific desire around the type of childbirth Ed? And then starting your search for who does that kind of education right. Now from there? Another very important question I asked, when I was figuring out childbirth Ed stuff was, am I required to only teach that curriculum. So some childbirth education companies, once they certify you, you cannot teach other curriculums. So you're certified as their kind of education, right. And if you're teaching their education, it needs to only be that I find that problematic, because for myself, that was problematic, because I think that some of the organizations that teach childbirth, Ed, have underlying issues of racism, of lack of inclusivity, lack of like, justice, focus, etc. And so I wanted the flexibility to be able to adapt a curriculum or change a curriculum, or be certified and teach my own curriculum, which is what I do. But to not be tied to having to teach their particular method and nothing else. So that's a big factor. Another factor to look into is, of course, the cost of it. If you have all the money in the world to spend on this, then that might not be a factor for you. If you are limited in what you can put towards this, if you have a very strict budget in terms of doing this certification, then looking at what is actually accessible to you is fine. Just because the program is cheaper, does not mean that it's worse. Now I do want you to research it a bit right, like research, do they have any kind of like, drama or like ethical issues. But also don't assume that cost always equals better? Okay. Now, the other factor that I would say, I looked into, which might be important to you, is what does it look like ongoing. So as a doula a lot of a lot of kind of spaces of certification, etc, in this birth work realm, or perinatal postpartum realm, include some kind of need for continued membership, or whatever you want to call it to continue your certification. Now, what that sometimes looks like is you become trained or certified or whatever in a particular thing. And then you pay like a $50 membership fee. And that fee continues to keep you like active in your certification. Now, I'm not entirely against this, right. If you're gaining something from that, if it matters to you, if it feels really good and awesome, then amazing, right? Like, absolutely, there are some companies that are doing it very well and add a ton of value to their doulas, childbirth educators, etc. By having that option. Other companies aren't doing anything and also just collecting that money that money. So what I want is for you not to be surprised that you have to continue paying them if that's not something you knew. So that's why I suggest kind of giving a look at that stuff before you decide on who you want to certify with because then that could be a factor for you in terms of moving forward. So I hope that's helpful in terms of giving you some things to think about. I so so appreciate getting this question in my Instagram My mailbox and I would love to hear from you and get a question from you. So please do send me a quick Instagram message over at Herat doula, and let me know what I could answer for you so I can add that into the lineup of 2023 episodes. Until next time, I wish you well informed consent filled, birthing and work experiences.
Kaely Harrod 10:29
So all of this information is intended to be educational and entertainment. Please use it as such. And if you have questions about your own medical health, or need recommendations from your own provider, please do speak to them. This is not intended to replace them in any way. We are so happy that you are here joining us in this walkthrough, pregnancy postpartum and lactation, please take a second to like and subscribe, leave a positive review. That is how other families get to hear about us and get to learn from all the answers that we have here on this podcast. As always, I would really love to connect with you. I love answering questions. I know that you know that because you are here, but I would love to hear what your questions are. So if I have not yet answered them on the podcast, I would love to add them to the list of questions to be answered. please do reach out to me on Instagram or via email Kaely at Herat, doula services.com so that I can answer whatever question you have, and so that I can hear the feedback that you have about the podcast. Until we meet again, I wish you well informed consent filled birth and postpartum experiences
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Childbirth Education is often a service that people add to their birthwork services as their business grows. Whether you are looking to become a childbirth educator as your main role in the birthwork field or as an additional service for your clients there are some key factors to consider as you’re deciding how to become trained and certified.
Key Takeaways:
Consider the following questions as you’re making your decision about the best way to become a childbirth educator.
What kind of education do I want to teach?
What price point can I afford for training or certification?
Do I want to teach a specific curriculum or be able to teach my own?
What is the ongoing cost of staying certified and is there value in that?
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Kaely Daily is produced by Kaely Harrod of Harrod Doula Services
It is sponsored by The Birth Prep Blueprint Childbirth Class
Music by Madirfan: Hidden Place on Pixabay
