Childbirth Education for Maternal-Infant Health Workers

Gain skills to teach perinatal education; become an advocate for pregnant women and persons. Help achieve goals for maternal and child health and reduce perinatal health disparities. 

Join our next workshop in Los Angeles or bring this course to your agency as an in-service training for staff.

 

Download: Brochure

ABOUT THIS COURSE

Objectives for maternal-infant health are impacted by childbirth practices. This course will educate maternal-infant

health workers about evidence-based maternity care practices, gain skills to support their clients in making  informed choices in childbirth, and inspire workers to increase their clients’ confidence for normal birthing. Focus of this course is on  giving Maternal Infant Health Workers skills for working with clients from communities where social and health disparities exist. This course uses a social justice framework to discuss the historical and social reasons for perinatal health inequities in communities of color.

OUR PHILOSOPHY

Our philosophy is that pregnancy is a healthy time in a woman’s life which can be enhanced by education and support by compassionate and skilled caregivers. We promote the normalcy of childbirth, the principal of doing no harm, motherbaby-centered care, the right of clients for autonomy in decision-making, and the potential of childbirth to transform lives. Our approach is integration of body/mind/spirit during pregnancy and childbirth in order to achieve the goals of client empowerment and optimal well being.

COURSE GOAL

This course will help achieve program objectives for maternal-infant health including lowering rates of prematurity, infant mortality, maternal mortality and cesarean section among clients.

AUDIENCE

Medical Assistants, Nursing Assistants, Aspiring Midwives, Aspiring Nurses, Doulas, Aspiring Midwife Assistants, Health Educators, Health Promoters, Certified Perinatal Health Workers.

TRAINING SPECIFICS

Dates of Course: TBA. Contact us for dates of next course.

Days and Hours of Course: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, 2 days, 16 hours total.

Individual Rate: $350.00 per person for individuals (includes materials).

Agency Rate: If brought to your agency, there is a global fee + materials + expenses and up to 15 persons may attend. Contact us for details and pricing.

Registration Deadline:Two weeks prior to the course.

Cancellation Deadline: 30 days prior to start of course. Transfers and credits are available per the cancellation policy.

Certifcation: No. This is not a certification program. Participants will receive a Certificate of Completion.

CEUs: This course has been pre-approved by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (CHES) for Category I CEUs. Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES) may receive 16 CECH units by particpating in the course. ($10.00 per person fee for this, payable at workshop). We are provider number #3608. The CHES Core Competencies this course will address are:

I. Assess individual and community needs for health education.

II. Plan health education strategies, interventions, programs.

III. Implement health education strategies, interventions, programs.

VI. Serve as a resource person in health education.

VII. Communicate and advocate for health and health education.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

CLASS ONE

Morning Session

Morning Session 1: Public Health Perspectives on Maternal-Infant Health and Midwifery’s and Doula’s Role in Improving Birth Outcomes

This session focuses on the public health perspectives on Maternal-Infant Health and how the medical management of pregnancy and childbirth has contributed to poor birth outcomes such as prematurity, maternal mortality and morbidity, high rates of cesarean section, and  low rates of breastfeeding. The role of  Doula Support and Midwifery in lowering perinatal health disparities and  achieving objectives for maternal-child health are described. From a human rights perspective, students will explore the social and historic reasons for perinatal health inequities and disparities, and learn how to advocate for better healthcare for their clients.

Morning Session 2: Communication and Counseling Skills

This session will train participants in counseling and communication skills using “The Three Step Strategy”,  “Stages of Change  Model” and “Motivational Interviewing”. Guidelines for Interpreting foreign languages in the medical/midwifery setting are given.

LUNCH  (1 hour)

Afternoon Session 

Afternoon Session 1: Understanding the Birth Process

In this session, participants will learn the anatomy and physiology of labor and birth, and postpartum. Using a ‘teach-back” technique, students will have the opportunity to practice their new skills. Participants will have the opportunity to participate in an experiential exercise to assess dilation and station and effacement  using a model.

CLASS TWO

Morning Session 

Morning  Session 1: Helping Clients Cope with Labor and Postpartum

Participants will learn how to support women through the birth process with non-pharmacological methods of pain relief such as water immersion, position changes, breathing techniques, visualization, vocalization, and comfort measures. Students will participate in a labor-simulation exercise where they can practice their new skills in labor support.

Participants will have the opportunity to participate in an experiential exercise where they will learn abdominal palpation and fetal auscultation methods  on real pregnant “mamababies”.

Participants will also learn how to identify Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) in their clients, and when to refer for professional psychological support. Using scenarios, students will practice making assessments and referrals for mental health for their prenatal and postpartum  clients.

LUNCH (1 hour)

Afternoon Session 

Afternoon Session 1:  Helping Clients Understand their Options for Childbirth

In this session, participants will learn about the medical interventions used in labor, and their risks and benefits. Procedures such as induction and augmentation of labor, pain medication options, caesarean  prevention  & VBAC promotion and negotiation/advocacy skills will be discussed and practiced.  Participants will utilize tools to help clients clarify their values and preferences, discuss  advantages and disadvantages of procedures. Participants will learn to   help clients formulate a birthing plan and  empower them to  communicate with  their care providers. Students will practice working with a partner creating an individualized care and birth plans. Participants will learn to articulate the advantages and disadvantages of each place of birth, and each type of caregivers.

Afternoon Session 2: Closing Circle

In the final session, participants will participate in a closing circle where they will have the opportunity to share what

they have learned in the course and how they plan to apply the knowledge and skills gained when working with pregnant clients.

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 Doulas and Midwives 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. Introduction to pelvimetry and anatomy of the pelvis; dilation checks with model.
9. Identify medical terminology used in obstetrics and midwifery.
10. Describe three ways labor can begin.
11. Describe the stages and phases of labor and birth.
12. Describe the Four Ps of Labor: The Power, The Passage, The Passenger and Psyche.
13. Describe how to time contractions and when clients should go to the hospital.
14. Describe normal newborn appearance and behavior
15. Describe the benefits of “Kangaroo Care” and discuss how to help families practice this technique.
16. Describe the physical and emotional needs of The Postpartum Family.
17. Describe and discuss Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders and resources and protocols for referral.
18. Describe and demonstrate three ways women can cope with labor and delivery.
19. Describe and demonstrate three ways partners can provide support to women in labor and delivery.
20. Discuss “Physiological Childbirth” and The Sexuality of Childbirth.
21. Discuss how to help clients cultivate trust in birth and gain confidence for labor, birth and early motherhood.
22. Describe the enerveration of the uterine muscles and how laboring women can break the Fear-Pain-Tension cycle to trust and open to labor and birth.
23. Compare and contrast three characteristics of the medical and holistic models of childbirth.
24. Describe the essential components of Informed Consent and Refusal in Maternity Care and describe the importance of maternal decision-making.
25. Describe the “Domino Effect of Medical Interventions” and its impact on birth outcomes
26. Demonstrate skills to help clients identify their values and needs for childbirth.
27. Discuss six questions clients can ask before accepting or declining medical procedures.
28. Describe advantages and disadvantages of three medical procedures for labor and birth on woman, labor and baby.
29. Discuss Advantages and Disadvantages of Newborn Medical Procedures.
30. Describe the normal newborn’s appearance and behavioral states.
31. Identify questions clients can ask before accepting or declining medical procedures.
32. Discuss guidelines to help clients communicate with medical providers.
33. Utilize a tool to help clients identify their personal preferences for pain medication in labor.
34. 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.
35. Discuss the purpose of and helping clients create a “Birth Plan” and give them skills to communicate their preferences with their health care providers.
36. Identify clients’ psychosocial needs and protocols for intervention and referral.
37. Help Clients understand the importance of Pre and Intraconception Health and Perinatal Nutrition.

ABOUT THE COURSE LEADERS

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

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 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 has taught the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor training since 2002 which she co-developed for Pasadena Public Health Department Black Infant Health Program, where she worked from 2002-2012. Cordelia is passionate about promoting midwives, doulas, promatoras (community health promoters) and breastfeeding peer counselors to address ethnic health disparities such as low rates of breastfeeding, high rates of prematurity and cesarean section, and to reduce maternal mortality globally. Cordelia is a mother of two home-born, breastfed and attachment-parented children who are now bright and capable young adults and she is also a grandmother of two granddaughters.

Other Guest Instructors will be announced.

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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.