perinatal educator Archives - Page 3 of 3 - Tina Gibbs

Posted on February 8, 2023February 28, 2023 by Tina G — 1 Comment

6 ways to include solo parents in antenatal classes

When you’re used to facilitating your antenatal classes for couples, you might find solo parents attending daunting. So here are 6 ways or ideas on how to include solo parents in your antenatal classes.

Language

Watch your language. Take the solo parent’s lead. How do they introduce themselves to you and the group. Are they calling themselves single parent, sole parent, solo parent…? Mirror that language.

Self massage

It is always a good idea to facilitate and teach about self-massage and self-hypnosis. Here are some self-massage techniques…

Images

Include images of solo parents to your antenatal classes. Images of a single person in a labour and birth position, a mother or father holding their baby, etc. Check your visual aids to see if they include images of labouring people on their own. My positions for labour and birth poster as well as the cards include images of solo parents.

childbirth positions poster, labour and birth positions poster

Storytelling

Include stories about solo parents you know (use their names with their consent only). You could say something like “A solo parent from a previous course found XYZ really helpful.”

Hypnobirthing

Hypnobirthing or self-hypnosis for birth is a very popular choice amongst solo parents. They regular practice of the techniques enables the birthing parent to be “in the zone” and focus on their body and baby.

Mindfulness

Just like hypnobirthing, mindfulness techniques have recently gained popularity especially with solo parents. The focus on the here and now, themselves, their body and their baby works wonders during labour and birth.

Inclusion of solo attendees as standard in your classes

Make the inclusion of solo parents to your antenatal classes something you do every time. Even if everyone in the room has a birthing partner, you never know if the birthing partner can make it to the birth. Explain to expectant parents, that there is like to be a time when the birthing mother/person/parent is on their own at least for a short time.

Sources and further reading

https://just-us-two.com/hypnobirthing-affirmations-for-a-beautiful-solo-mum-birth/

https://chloeleightonbulleid.com/blog/self-massage-techniques-for-pregnancy-amp-post-partum

Posted on February 1, 2023February 1, 2023 by Tina G — Leave a comment

Teaching about induction

Teaching about augmentation and induction of labour as part of childbirth education classes has become an essential topic. Expectant parents need to know the pros and cons, different options and reasons for the recommended induction of labour.

In my opinion, teaching about induction and augmentation of labour means to explore:

Common reasons for the recommendation, and why the recommendations are made, how important the reason is, what evidence there is to support the recommendation
Different options of for induction and augmentation, i.e. membrane sweep, drip, etc
Timeline of induction and augmentation of labour – what may be offered when and why
Options of “self-induction” – how can we encourage labour to start on its own?
Reputable sources of information to support informed decision-making (some are listed below)
Their Birthrights (Human Rights in Childbirth)
How to feel empowered once/if they’ve agreed to an induction (support, informed decision making, best for them and their baby in their individual situation…)
How to adapt their birth plan

Teaching about induction and augmentation of labour ideas

Discussion

Have a discussion in class about reasons, ways and pros and cons of inducing labour. My induction discussion prompt cards are a visual way to encourage expectant parents to discuss the topic. They are also available as ready printed version and both versions include full instructions including links and references.

Timeline

Explore what methods of induction and augmentation may be offered/happening when, using one of my labour timeline banners.

Informed Decision Making Game

One of my personal favourites is an informed decision making scenario game. This also works for teaching about induction and augmentation of labour! The way it works is that you start off with one scenario and give two or more options. Let participants choose one of the options. Each option/choice develops the story further. You’ll get different outcomes when making different choices. Some are choices others are chance as you roll a die or two. This is a fun way to explore how different choices may impact your birth experience. This game works in a in-person class, virtual class as well as for homework.

I also offer workshops on how to write and build your own interactive informed decision making game!

Teaching about induction of labour using visuals

To help include all different learning styles and your clients’ preferences use a mixture of visuals, taktile interactions as well as the written word! I have a range of visual learning aids ready printed as well as digital downloads available from my shop.

Posters

I like to use posters and hang them up on the wall or in the windows during sessions. Posters support the information and retention during the course. I have created these beautiful posters on “self-induction” called “How to encourage childbirth/labour to start”. They are a very recent (2023) addition to my shop and classes and are very positively received by clients as well as birth workers!

Workbooks/Journals/Worksheets

I also provide my clients with a journal/workbook the workbook includes images and information about childbirth and infant feeding. They can take it home and recap and/or take notes during the workshop.

Antenatal Class Journal - Booklet for parents-to-be

I can also create personalised workbooks, activities, posters and powerpoints for you to fit your branding and content preferences. Please get in touch!

Sources and further reading:

Dr Sara Wickham: https://www.sarawickham.com/iol/
Birthrights: https://www.birthrights.org.uk/
Which Birth Choice: https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/birthing-options/article/nhs-vs-private-maternity-care-what-are-your-options-aeYb37A1bvRx
Book: Why induction Matters by Rachel Reed
NICE Guidelines: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng207
Midwife Thinking (Rachel Reed): https://midwifethinking.com/tag/induction/
Maternity Statistics: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/nhs-maternity-statistics/2020-21
Maternity Audit: https://maternityaudit.org.uk/pages/home

Posted on December 9, 2022December 9, 2022 by Tina G — Leave a comment

Teaching about Waterbirth

Teaching about Waterbirth has become one of my favourite topics in recent years. As waterbirth has many benefits and few downsides it is a popular choice among birthing families in the UK.

Teaching about waterbirth in your antenatal preparation classes:

Paperchase – benefits for mother, father, baby, midwife

Split the group into 4 groups. Each group gets one piece of flipchart paper. Four headings: mother/birthing person, father/partner, baby/babies, midwife. Each group brainstorms the benefits/advantages of waterbirth for their person. Move along to the next chart after 1 minute, fill in that chart. Keep going until each group had a minute for each chart. Share the findings in the big group afterwards. This activity takes around 10-15 minutes.

Dry run with inflatable pool

A great way to teach about waterbirth is to do a dry run with an inflatable pool. I usually have the partners set up the pool and time it how long it takes to inflate the pool, add the cover etc. Meanwhile the birthing mothers/people explore some pictures of different pool birth environments and positions in the pool. Once the pool is set up, we discuss how long it may take to fill the pool, along with some things that they may need. Every family can then try out the pool to get a feel for the size. Be careful, when trying out positions as the empty pool will tip over if someone leans over the edge. Always position yourself or someone else at the opposite end to keep the pool steady.

Brainstorm practicalities home vs hospital

This activity is suitable for big group or some smaller groups. You’ll need a piece of flipchart paper for each group. Divide each paper into two sections. Have families compare the practicalities of waterbirth at home vs the hospital or maternity unit.

Pictures – why did you pick…

I lay out a selection of photos and positions cards. Including photos of equipment families may need/choose for their waterbirth. I ask each person/family (depending on group size) to pick one picture. Then in the large group we share: Why have you chosen the picture, what can we see in the picture, how does the picture make you feel, any questions about the image…. I usually do this as an icebreaker as an information leveller…

How to you teach about waterbirth? Please share your ideas with me!

Have you seen my waterbirth video collection? You can find that here!

Posted on August 31, 2022August 31, 2022 by Tina G — Leave a comment

Setting up birth preparation classes

When you are a birth worker, such as a doula, antenatal teacher, perinatal educator etc you might be wondering about setting up birth preparation classes. When do you start advertising your classes or workshops? Where do you advertise them?

When setting up birth preparation classes, you’ll have to think about when are your potential clients going to be doing their research into antenatal classes? When will they be most likely to book? What did you do when you were expecting your baby?

Do you book a venue right away? Or can you can to an agreement with a local venue where you can confirm/cancel x weeks prior to the event without having to pay?

What dates and times will suit your pregnant clients best? Do they fit in with your preferences, other job, family, venue? Is an online pre-recorded course more suitable for you or your ideal client? Or maybe a hybrid option, with pre-recorded content and some live online or in-person time?

These are the questions, I ask myself when I am thinking about setting up my birth preparation classes. There is no ‘one fits all solution’ your answers are pretty much depending on where you live, whether or not you have a family or an additional job, what venues you have available and who your ideal clients are. This post is mostly about encouraging you to think about these questions and finding YOUR answers and setting up YOUR birth preparation classes and workshops. In a way that works for you and your (potential) clients.

To help a little with the question on when to set aside dates and when to start advertising your classes, I have created a spreadsheet. You can download your free copy here!