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Tag: Resources for Doulas
Teaching about Caesarean Birth
Teaching about Caesarean Birth in an antenatal setting. An important topic to cover with rising caesarean rates worldwide.
Preparing expectant parents for the possibility of a Caesarean birth, sharing information about how to avoid a caesarean birth, educating them about their choices and birth rights are all part of what modern antenatal settings should be covering.
Offering parents-to-be evidence-based and up to date information will help your clients to feel more empowered during their pregnancy and birth.
In your antenatal settings you will come across expectant parents where a Caesarean birth is not on their radar at all and parents who already know that a Caesarean birth is their preference and anyone in between…
How to facilitate teaching about Caesarean Birth
One option is that you give each participant in your class a role. Ask for a volunteer to be the person prepped for C-birth. Then hand out some c-birth prep cards with clips and strings on them to be “pinned” onto the volunteer.
Discuss/explain each item where needed. It may be worthwhile pointing out that all of the prep items are the same for any operation and that only the foetal monitoring equipment is in addition for a Caesarean birth. Learning outcome here: Participants are aware that a lot of equipment is needed for theatre prep and reassured that this is normal.
Once the person is prepped, you can give everyone else a role play card of a person in the operating theatre. Ask the prepped person to sit or stand in the middle of the room. Then one by one have the medical staff roles step around the person. Again discussing and explaining everyone’s role. It is worthwhile to consider that this kind of role play with real people standing around a real person can feel very daunting and “too much” for some expectant parents.
For the past 10 years or so, I have been using some Playmobil, lego, and wooden characters for the “people in the theatre” role-play part. I deliberately added some non-scrubbed/medical-looking characters to keep it fun. I pass around the cards at random and ask clients to pick a random character out of a bag…
The parent-feedback has been very positive! I’ve received many messages saying how parents were feeling very prepared, remembering all the little people from the antenatal sessions.
I support the activity with epidural and Caesarean birth information handouts from the OAA, I send out a link to a gentle caesarean birth video, and have a Caesarean birth photo story available for clients to look at if they wish.
We also talk about preparing a Caesarean birth plan and how to make their Caesarean birth options and things to consider.
Overall, expectant parents are keen to explore the options and reasons and how to make a caesarean birth less likely. They value the time spent on this topic whether or not they have a caesarean birth or not.
Let me know how you facilitate teaching about caesarean birth in your antenatal classes in the comments or get in touch!
Sources and further reading
- Birthrights: https://www.birthrights.org.uk/factsheets/right-to-a-c-section/
- Caesarean.org: http://www.caesarean.org.uk/
- Evidence-Based Birth: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-for-induction-or-c-section-for-big-baby/
- Ginandes C, Brooks P, Sando W, Jones C, Aker J. Can medical hypnosis accelerate post-surgical wound healing? Results of a clinical trial. Am J Clin Hypn. 2003 Apr;45(4):333-51. doi: 10.1080/00029157.2003.10403546. PMID: 12722936.
- Hourigan SK, Dominguez-Bello MG, Mueller NT. Can maternal-child microbial seeding interventions improve the health of infants delivered by Cesarean section? Cell Host Microbe. 2022 May 11;30(5):607-611. doi: 10.1016/j.chom.2022.02.014. PMID: 35550663; PMCID: PMC9237654.
- LabourPains.org: https://www.labourpains.org/
- Smith J, Plaat F, Fisk NM. The natural caesarean: a woman-centred technique. BJOG. 2008 Jul;115(8):1037-42; discussion 1042. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2008.01777.x. PMID: 18651885; PMCID: PMC2613254.
- Wilson, Brooke C. et al. (2021) Oral administration of maternal vaginal microbes at birth to restore gut microbiome development in infants born by caesarean section: A pilot randomised placebo-controlled trial. eBioMedicine, Volume 69, 103443. Available at: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/ebiom/article/PIIS2352-3964(21)00236-X/fulltext [accessed: 03/04/2023]
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.
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.
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.
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
Hypnosis and Mindset Iceberg
The Hypnosis and Mindset Iceberg. The conscious and subconscious mind and the critical faculty. How does that apply to childbirth?
Let’s think about that. When you look at an iceberg and you can see the tip of it, you can only see a small part of it. The majority is hiding underwater. So now how does that apply to hypnosis and your mindset for childbirth?
Consciously you know, that childbirth is a natural process and the majority of babies can be born without assistance. We know that when we relax, more oxytocin flows, which gives helps the birthing process along by giving you strong regular contraction waves. So why do so many expectant parents struggle to relax during the birth or even during their pregnancy? Because throughout our lives we hear and start to believe that childbirth is painful. The media, family or friends are telling us so. When you are pregnant tests, appointments, scans, precautions etc reinforce the believe that birth needs interference. You sometimes even hear a traumatic birth story from a stranger while waiting at the checkout!
So your conscious mind is the tip of the iceberg and your subconscious mind is the base. This is your Hypnosis and Mindset Iceberg:
Overcoming the Iceberg
When you practise self-hypnosis and mindfulness during your pregnancy, you can use these techniques to help to turn down or off your subconscious mind. It’ll help you to focus on the here and now and make the right decisions for and during your birth experience! Remember, practice and reinforcement of the techniques is the key to an empowered birth experience!
Book your 1:1 mindful hypnobirthing experience with me to learn your techniques to combat the Hypnosis and Mindset Iceberg.
Please also check out my online course! No videos, just text and images to learn in your own time. Includes hypnobirthing mp3s, scripts, workbook, handouts, infographics and much more! Lots and lots of information at your fingertips! Includes:
- hypnobirthing mp3s
- hypnobirthing scripts
- written information
- infographics and other imagery
- printable handouts
- printable workbook/journal
For perinatal educators:
The “Hypnosis and Mindset Iceberg” poster shows an image of an iceberg, where you can see the tip of the iceberg as well as the underwater base of the iceberg. Use it in antenatal or parenting classes to explore expectant parents’ feelings. Where they come from and how the subconscious can influence your decision-making, mindset as well as birth, feeding or parenting experience. An excellent resource for your perinatal education setting!
Hypnosis Iceberg Sources and Further Reading
- https://www.selfhypnosis.com/the-conscious-critical-faculty/
- https://www.danielfryer.com/2019/11/03/hypnotherapy-icebergs-and-hidden-depths/
- https://www.faithbouiehypnotherapy.com/the-iceberg-analogy
- https://www.themindfulword.org/2012/hypnosis-deeper-consciousness/
- https://mindfulness-alliance.org/2022/05/23/a-mental-model-for-a-more-mindful-perspective/
- https://www.b-hypnotized.com/hypnosis-blog/hypnosis-where-conscious-and-subconscious-mind-meet
All were accessed on the 24th January 2023.
Please note that I am in no affiliation with the owners of the websites above.
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!
Birth Bag – Teaching Ideas
The Birth Bag – Teaching ideas for your antenatal classes. As a birth worker, doula, midwife, student midwife or perinatal educator we aim to prepare expectant parents for their birth experience. Part of their birth experience is packing their birth bag aka hospital bag.
Birth Bag – Teaching Ideas for in-person Antenatal Classes
Show and tell
Simply ask every family to bring in up to 3 items each for their birth bag to the next class. During the “show and tell” ask them to share their item and why they chose it.
Brainstorm
Split the class into similar-sized groups. If I am facilitating classes for couples, I split into two/four groups separating birthing mothers/parents from their birth partners. I ask them to write down and/or draw items they’d like to take with them for the birth. Then we have a list for birthing mothers and folks as well as a separate list for birth partners! If you prefer not to use paper and pens or would like to use this as a homework or pre-course task, you could use mentimeter (see above) instead.
Paperchase
Do a paperchase. Split the group into three groups. Have three sets of flipchart paper & pens available. I like to draw the outline of a suitcase on mine and add a header i.e. birthing mother/parent, birth partner or baby. Each group will brainstorm for their sheet for x minutes (I give them 2 minutes). Then they move on to the next one and add to it for two minutes and then move again to the last one.
Birth Bag – Teaching Ideas for Virtual Antenatal Classes
Hospital Bag / Birth bag Scavenger hunt
A good old scavenger hunt to explore possible contents of a birth bag! This not only helps your clients think about what they need and what they would like, but also gets them off their seats/butts during a virtual antenatal course! I like to include this as part of the break. Mainly to encourage clients to move… To do so I share my screen with a short list of things which may be useful for their birth experience. I ask my clients to grab a drink, snack and go to the toilet and bring as many things as possible back to the screen within 15 minutes.
You can find my very long birth bag list in one of my other blog posts. Select a few items from this list or write your own short list!
Wordsearch
To create a birth bag wordsearch is another way of creating some engagement during your online classes. I create my wordsearches on my husband’s website. I integrate my wordsearch into my powerpoint slides and ask parents-to-be to annotate the slides with their findings.
We then discuss what they would add/remove from their birth bag.
Quick competition – show and tell
Similar to the scavenger hunt, I like to integrate this as part of one of my clients’ breaks. It is way too easy to just stay sat where you are while you are on an online course or workshop, so this is another teaching idea to get your clients moving and engaged in the topic!
I like to ask every couple/client/expecting family to think about what they may need during the birth of their baby or babies. Each participants gets ask to bring back 3 items to the screen. Three items per person, items which may be helpful to themselves, NOT their partner.
This is often the first time when birth partners realise, that they need to look after themselves, too and may need some comfort items.
Wordcloud
Set up a wordcloud on mentimeter and ask your clients to add their preferred items/essentials to the list. A very engaging, fun and visual way to create a birth bag/hospital bag list with your clients. It’s anonymous and fun! You can save the results as a picture or pdf afterwards and send them out as a reminder/handout.
How do you facilitate the topic of birth bags during your childbirth preparation classes? Please comment with your ideas or share them in an email with me!
Teaching about breathing techniques for childbirth?
Most antenatal education formats virtual or in-person, include breathing techniques for childbirth. There are a range of different techniques used by different organizations or private facilitators.
Breathing techniques are well known for being helpful in stressful situations and to help people relax.
Harvard Health Publishing says: “Relaxation techniques: Breath control helps quell errant stress response”. Therefore, breathing techniques may be an excellent option to help mothers and birthing people to stay calm and relaxed during labour and childbirth.
As birth workers we know it’s important, we know it works (when practised) and most parents-to-be have heard about it, too. However, when I facilitate antenatal education classes, I often get eye-rolling from some parents-to-be when introducing the topic, especially when I ask parents-to-be to join in and give it a go. Therefore, I have come up with a fun activity, that parents-to-be can practise within their couple during the class and at home.
Fortune-Tellers/cootie catchers to practice for labour and birth!
You can find my fortune tellers here:
- Positions for labour and birth
- Breathing techniques for labour and birth
- Massage techniques
- Blank, design your own
You can print all of my activities on standard A4 paper. Every time I have used any of these fortune-tellers with pregnant parents and their birth partners, they were a great success! Parents enjoy playing with the fortune-tellers and reviving some childhood memories at the same time.
Come and visit my TPT store!
What is a labour beadline?
A labour or childbirth beadline is such a lovely way to keep track of special moments! It’s a collection of often colourful beads strung together on a strong fishing line or similar thread. You can get creative by using different-sized beads to represent contractions and breaks; some folks even choose different colours or use both! I personally enjoy working with wooden beads, but really, any material can work beautifully. I love using shiny new beads along with pre-loved treasures from broken jewellery or charming finds from charity shops. #labourbeadline #labourbeadlines
Labour beadline for childbirth education
How do I use a labour beadline?
Labour beadlines are a fantastic way to create a visual and tactile learning aid of the stages of childbirth/labour! During an antenatal class or a doula 1:1 you might invite your participants to label the different stages and even chat about the variations they notice. Adding pictures of positions and self-help tools along the timeline can spark discussions about the best techniques to try at each stage.
For those teaching students who are visually impaired, using these beadlines serves as a wonderful tactile teaching aid in your classes. Just imagine how effective it can be to use different-sized beads to represent contractions versus breaks!
What do the beads mean?
Each larger bead, or those of different colours, stands for a contraction. The smaller beads at the beginning stand for mild contractions and will appear in an irregular order initially. As we progress, the gaps or breaks between these beads will shorten, and the contractions will become stronger, shown by larger beads. Knots or specially shaped rigged beads symbolize the transition phase. A larger special bead, like a heart-shaped one, beautifully represents the birth of the baby, while a smaller special bead at the end stands for the placenta.
When can I use a labour beadline?
A labour bead line is a wonderful resource for use in large groups, smaller gatherings, or one-on-one sessions. When working with larger groups, it can be advantageous to set up two or three labour bead lines, allowing parents-to-be to explore, interact with, and engage in hands-on learning. I’m pleased to share that most of my labour bead lines are designed with accessibility in mind, making them particularly suitable for visually impaired parents-to-be, as all the contraction beads are larger than the pause/break beads!
Where can I get a labour beadline?
You can absolutely create your own labour/childbirth beadline! It takes just 1-2 hours to design one, and if you prefer, you can also check out the ready-made options or even order a customized one from my website. We have a variety of lovely labour beadlines available for both singleton and multiple pregnancies. If making your own sounds like fun, I also offer…
- labour beadline kits with everything you need to start beading!
- Lesson plan how to incorporate your labour beadline or beaded childbirth timeline in your classes.
