Supporting Informed Choices in Childbirth

Childbirth Education Training for Maternal-Infant Health Workers

Gain skills to teach childbirth education to expectant parents. Help achieve goals for maternal and child health and reduce perinatal health disparities. 

Help improve birth outcomes for mothers and infants of color

This class is evidence-based, trauma-informed and celebrates cultural diversity.

DUE TO COVID-19, THIS CLASS WILL BE OFFERED ON THE ZOOM PLATFORM UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

DOWNLOAD FLYER (PDF)

REGISTER NOW

ABOUT THIS COURSE

COURSE DESCRIPTION

In this class, we will cover the following topics:

• Historical and Social Aspects of Childbearing in USA
• Overview of Perinatal Health Disparities in USA
• Premature Birth Prevention
• Psychological Preparation for Childbirth
• Overview of Prenatal Care
• Nutritional Guidelines for Pregnancy
• Understanding Prenatal Care
• Stages and Phases of Labor
• When to Go to the Hospital
• Labor Coping Methods & Support Techniques for Partners
• The Spiritual  & Sexual Aspects of Childbirth
• Understanding Medical Interventions
• Informed Consent and Refusal in Maternity Care
• Pain Medication for Childbirth
• Promoting Informed Decision-Making in Maternity Care
• Birth Planning
• Promoting  Parental-Infant Attachment and Bonding
• Sibling Preparation and Children at Birth
• Newborn Appearance
• Newborn Behavior
• Newborn Care
• Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders

LEARNER OBJECTIVES
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the etiology of prematurity, low birth weight, infant and maternal mortality within the context of health inequities and disparities and human rights in childbirth.
2. Describe the role of childbirth education in achieving maternal-child health objectives and decreasing perinatal health disparities.
3. Describe the causes and consequences of premature birth, warning signs for preterm labor, and identify which clients are at higher risk for prematurity.
4. Discuss evidenced-based maternity care recommendations and initiatives.
5. Describe common discomforts of pregnancy and comfort strategies.
6. Describe how the body works in labor and birth including The Cardinal Movements, Six Ways to Progress in Labor, The Fear-Pain-Tension Cycle, etc.
7. Identify the female reproductive anatomy involved in the childbirth process.
8. Describe Placenta Anatomy, Physiology and Development
9. Describe 3 common pregnancy discomforts and how to relieve them.
10. Identify medical terminology and definitions used in obstetric care.
11. Help Clients understand the importance of Perinatal Nutrition..
12. Describe and identify female reproductive anatomy
13. Describe the role of hormones in labor.
14. Identify medical terminology used in obstetrics and midwifery.
15. Describe three ways labor can begin.
16. Describe the stages and phases of labor and birth.
17. Describe the Five Ps of Labor: The Power, The Passage, The Passenger, People and The Psyche.
18. Describe how to time contractions and when clients should go to the hospital.
19. Describe the physical and emotional needs of The Postpartum Family.
20. Describe and demonstrate three ways women can cope with labor and delivery.
21. Describe and demonstrate three ways partners can provide support to women in labor and delivery.
22. Discuss “Physiological Childbirth” and The Sexuality of Childbirth.
23. Discuss how to help clients cultivate trust in birth and gain confidence for labor, birth, and early motherhood.
24. Describe the enervation of the uterine muscles and how laboring women can break the Fear-Pain-Tension cycle to trust and open to labor and birth.
25. Compare and contrast three characteristics of the medical and holistic models of childbirth.
26. Describe the essential components of Informed Consent and Refusal in Maternity Care and describe the importance of maternal decision-making.
27. Describe the “Domino Effect of Medical Interventions” and its impact on birth outcomes
28. Demonstrate skills to help clients identify their values and needs for childbirth.
29. Discuss six questions clients can ask before accepting or declining medical procedures.
30. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of three medical procedures for labor and birth on women, labor and baby.
31. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of Newborn Medical Procedures.
32. Describe the normal newborn’s appearance and behavioral states.
33. Identify questions clients can ask before accepting or declining medical procedures.
34. Discuss guidelines to help clients communicate with medical providers.
35. Utilize a tool to help clients identify their personal preferences for pain medication in labor.
36. Describe three indications for cesarean birth, options for cesarean surgery, ways women can reduce chances of a cesarean, and describe the benefits of Vaginal Birth After Cesarean.
37. Discuss the purpose of and helping clients create a “Birth Plan” and give them skills to communicate their preferences with their health care providers.
38. Describe  three Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders and Interview Questions
39. Describe normal newborn appearance and behavior
40. Describe the benefits of “Kangaroo Care” and discuss how to help families practice this technique.
41. Observe a Childbirth Preparation Class
42. Develop a lesson plan for childbirth education.
43. Demonstrate the ability to teach childbirth education classes.
44. Demonstrate the ability to research and synthesize health-related information.

POST-COURSE REQUIREMENTS

After the course, participants will:

1. Prepare one book report and one summary of a peer-reviewed journal article from the past 5 years on pregnancy or childbirth-related topic.
2. Develop a Childbirth Education curriculum/lesson plan.
3. Observe a Childbirth Preparation Class (online or in community).
4. Teach Childbirth Education classes in a community setting (online or in-person).
5. Obtain evaluations from participants in the childbirth education class conducted.

ABOUT THE COURSE LEADER

Cordelia Hanna, MPH, CHES, ICCE, CLE, CBA

Email: Cordelia.Hanna@motherbabysupport.net

Cordelia Hanna obtained her Masters in Public Health (MPH) in Health Education and Promotion/Maternal Child Health from Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, California in 2008 and her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Dance from Indiana University, Bloomington in 1986. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in Health Psychology at Walden University. Cordelia is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES), the gold standard for professional health educators, accredited by NCHEC. Cordelia is also an ICEA-Certified Childbirth Educator, CAPPA-Certified Laction Educator, and ALACE-Certified Birth Assistant who since 1991 has taught Childbirth Preparation Classes and Breastfeeding Education to hundreds of couples in private practice, clinics, public health, hospital and community settings. She has attended births as a Primary Midwife Under Supervision, Assistant Midwife and Labor Companion/Monitrice in homes, birth centers and hospitals throughout Los Angeles County since 1991. Cordelia worked as a Public Health Educator at  Pasadena Public Health Department Black Infant Health Program from 2002-2012 where she developed and taught childbirth preparation classes, fulfilling an unmet need in Pasadena for quality childbirth education for Medi-Cal eligible persons. Also at the Pasadena Public Health Department Black Infant Health Program, Cordelia Hanna established the first community-doula program for African-American families in Los Angeles County. Cordelia is the founder and executive director of Happy Mama Healthy Baby Alliance, overseeing our community-doula program and serving as the lead curriculum developer and trainer for our courses. Cordelia is a mother of two home-born, breastfed and attachment-parented children who are now bright and capable young adults. She is also a proud grandmother of two young girls and a  new grandson born in August 2020.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Cancellation Policy

 Cancellation must be made in writing by deadline (30 days prior to start of course). Tuition will be reimbursed less $50.00 administrative fee if notification received by this date. After this date, there will be no refunds. However in extenuating circumstances such as documented illness or emergency, the tuition is fully transferable to another person or training (this course or another topic); credit is good for the amount of training. If course registering into is higher price, the additional balance will be required. If it is a lesser price, there will not be any refund of balance. Credit will be honored for one year from the training. If not used by that time, the credit will expire.

Special Cancellation Policy for Doulas and Midwives:

If you are “on call” and have a birth during the training, please notify instructor as soon as possible that you will not be attending. The full tuition will be transferred to another person, or different training (this course or another topic) to be used within one year of the training date. If the course you are registering into is higher price, the additional balance will be required. If it is a lesser price, there will not be any refund of balance.

 INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE? 

Contact Elsie Gutierrez, MPH, Manager of Community Programs or call (626) 388-2191 ext. 1