At the International Doula Institute, we strive to prepare birth experts to provide excellent support to growing families. One way we do that is by offering certification in childbirth education. The impact of childbirth education on birth outcomes is a small part of the puzzle in improving overall birth outcomes in the US and beyond.
Childbirth educators provide invaluable information, support, and guidance to expectant parents. They empower them to make informed decisions and actively participate in their birth experiences.
Are you thinking about becoming a childbirth educator? Learn more about all you can do to help improve birth outcomes as a Certified Childbirth Educator (CCE).
Childbirth Education Empowers Parents to Make Informed Decisions
Childbirth educators offer comprehensive education in various aspects of childbirth including but not limited to:
- The stages of labor
- Comfort measures
- Pain management options
- Potential interventions
- Normal birth physiology
- Breastfeeding initiation
- Normal newborn behavior
By providing evidence-based information in a supportive environment, educators empower parents to make informed decisions that align with their preferences and values. This knowledge enables parents to advocate for themselves during labor and communicate effectively with their healthcare providers, ultimately leading to more personalized and respectful care.
Parents who are active participants in the decision-making process during birth are more likely to report a positive birth experience regardless of how birth unfolds.
Preparation for Labor and Birth
Through childbirth education classes, parents learn practical coping strategies, relaxation techniques, and comfort measures to manage labor pain and anxiety. Techniques such as breathing exercises, visualization, and massage empower parents to actively participate in their birthing process and cope with the challenges of labor more effectively.
Additionally, childbirth educators may simulate labor scenarios and provide hands-on practice with labor positions and techniques, enhancing parents’ confidence and preparedness for the birthing experience.
There is a lot to be said for the fear of the unknown. Often, when parents report a traumatic birth experience, they were caught by surprise. Knowing how birth typically unfolds, as well as potential complications, can help parents feel more prepared for the unknown.
Childbirth educators are trained and skilled in providing information about all potential outcomes in a way which does not scare parents.
Helps Partners Learn Their Role With Childbirth Education
Childbirth educators emphasize the importance of partner involvement. They provide guidance on how partners can offer meaningful support during labor and birth.
Partners learn how to:
- Provide physical comfort.
- Give emotional reassurance.
- What happens at different stages of labor.
- How to advocate for the birthing parent
- Foster a sense of teamwork.
By equipping partners with knowledge and skills, childbirth educators strengthen the support network surrounding the birthing parent. This leads to enhanced emotional well-being and satisfaction with the birth experience.
Partners are more likely to feel engaged in the birth process when they know their role. Being engaged in the birth process is also a first step in engaging and bonding with their baby and their new roles as parents.
Promotion of Birth Preferences and Birth Plans
Childbirth educators assist parents in creating birth preferences or birth plans. These outline their desires and priorities for labor and birth. By facilitating discussions on different topics, educators help parents articulate their preferences and communicate them effectively to their healthcare providers.
This collaborative approach encourages shared decision-making. This fosters a sense of agency and empowerment for parents. Which helps in ultimately resulting in more positive birth experiences that align with their values and preferences.
Postpartum Preparation and Support:
Beyond labor and birth, childbirth educators also provide guidance on:
- Postpartum recovery
- Newborn care
- Breastfeeding
- Early parenting options
- Safe sleep
- Emotional adjustment to parenthood
By addressing common postpartum concerns and providing resources for support and assistance, educators empower parents to navigate the early postpartum period with confidence and resilience. This comprehensive approach to childbirth education promotes holistic well-being for parents and supports the transition to parenthood with knowledge, compassion, and empowerment.
Childbirth educators play a crucial role in improving birth outcomes. Are you ready to be a part of the change in birth? Get started today and you can help support more families in having a positive birth experience with improved birth outcomes.
Author: Aliza Juliette Bancoff
Aliza Juliette Bancoff is a well-known doula and doula trainer who has been providing doula services to families for over a decade. She is the founder of Main Line Doulas, a doula group providing doula support in the great Philadelphia area for the last decade, the International Doula Institute, which provides online doula training and lactation training and certification programs and the International Breastfeeding Institute which provides lactation training and certification. She is the co-founder of United Birth, a company devoted to increasing access to doulas across the country to make the perinatal time safer both physically and emotionally. “Every birthing person deserves access to quality doula support. And we are working to make that a reality across the country. The work we are doing to get doulas to every birthing person will decrease the black infant and maternal mortality rate significantly by 2030.” Says Bancoff. Aliza is known for her compassionate and empowering approach to doula work, and she has been featured in numerous media outlets, including United Nations Maternal Health Report, Parent Magazine, CafeMom, theBump and many more. Aliza's journey into doula work began when she gave birth to her first child and felt a strong calling...