Tag: Resources for Doulas

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Teaching Techniques for Perinatal Educators

Good teaching techniques are essential for perinatal educators who want to give expectant parents clear and effective guidance. They help birth keepers educate and empower parents-to-be with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate childbirth and their maternity system with confidence.

Teaching techniques for perinatal educators

Lecture – The simplest teaching method is to stand in front of the group and share the information. Lectures let you cover a lot of information in a short time, save learners from doing extensive research of their own, and present complex ideas in a structured way. However, the lecture method has its drawbacks. Listening is passive, and people usually remember only a fraction of what they hear in a lecture, because they don’t get to engage actively with the material.

Visual aids – Posters, banners, illustrations and videos can greatly improve understanding and recall. Visual aids make the learning environment more engaging and interactive, and make complex concepts easier to grasp.

Active learning – Encourage expectant parents to take part in discussions, group activities and role-plays. This lets them practise the skills they will need during childbirth and builds a sense of empowerment and confidence.

Storytelling – Sharing real-life birth stories and experiences can give expectant parents practical insights and emotional support. Storytelling builds empathy and creates a connection between you and the parents, fostering trust and openness.

Brainstorming – Brainstorming invites expectant parents to share their thoughts and ideas about pregnancy, birth and parenting. It opens up discussion and lets participants exchange experiences, worries and knowledge. Together they can explore strategies, techniques and coping tools for the challenges and joys of pregnancy and early parenthood. This collaborative approach also builds a sense of community and support, so people feel more prepared and empowered.

Q&A – Allow time for questions and answers. When people ask their own questions, they think more deeply, and they understand the answers better than information given in a lecture.

Technology – Online resources, interactive apps and virtual platforms offer extra learning opportunities and make your teaching more accessible. Technology lets you reach a wider audience and support parents beyond the classroom.

Card sort – Prepare cards with prompts such as signs of the onset of labour, baby feeding cues or the hormones of childbirth. Participants sort the prompts into groups based on what they have in common. This is a visual, interactive way to understand and organise information, and it helps people see the connections between different concepts, options and ideas.

Demonstrations – Demonstrations are the best way to teach breathing techniques, positions and movement for birth (and other practical topics). Showing these techniques gives a clear picture and supports both visual and kinaesthetic learners. Encourage expectant parents to try the techniques during the session. This will not only deepen their understanding but also help them remember it.

Goodie bag – Pass around a bag or box of props (for example, things that may be useful in the early postnatal period). Each person picks an object, says what it is and why they think it could be helpful.

Quizzes – A quiz can be done in small groups, as homework or as a worksheet in class. It is useful for reviewing information you have already covered, especially simple information such as “Name three things that help you relax”. It also works well for information that is good to know but doesn’t need to be memorised, such as the benefits of having a doula.

Small group discussions – Dividing the class into smaller groups helps people talk more openly and exchange ideas freely. Sometimes it helps to keep couples together; at other times it is better to separate them. Small group discussions encourage active participation and improve the whole learning experience.

Games – There are lots of different games you can use in antenatal education, such as a stages of labour board game or a birth story dice game. Games are fun and interactive, people solve problems together and remember more. However, they can take up a lot of time for the amount of information covered.

Homework – Worksheets to take home, lists of skills to practise, book recommendations and further reading all encourage expectant parents to think about their journey between sessions. An antenatal class journal works well for this. Be prepared, though: many of your clients won’t actually do their homework…

Sources and further reading

  • Brookfield, S.D., 2013. Powerful techniques for teaching adults. John Wiley & Sons.
  • FutureLearn: https://www.futurelearn.com/info/blog/how-to-teach-adult-learners
  • Kerka, S., 2002. Teaching adults: Is it different?. ERIC Clearinghouse on Adult, Career, and Vocational Education, Center on Education and Training for Employment, College of Education, the Ohio State University.
  • Nesbit, T., Leach, L. and Foley, G., 2020. Teaching adults. In Dimensions of adult learning (pp. 74–95). Routledge.
  • Rogers, A. and Horrocks, N., 2010. Teaching adults. McGraw-Hill Education (UK).
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Pricing yourself and your business

Pricing yourself and your business - birth worker, doula, antenatal teacher

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Teaching about Caesarean Birth

Teaching about caesarean birth in antenatal classes is more important than ever, with caesarean rates rising 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 classes, you’ll meet expectant parents for whom a caesarean birth isn’t on their radar at all, parents who already know a caesarean is their preference, and everyone 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.

C-birth prep card, printed on coloured card, laminated, strings and clips attached.

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 leaflets from the OAA (Labour Pains), send families a link to a gentle caesarean birth video, and have a caesarean birth photo story available for anyone who’d like to look at it.

We also talk about writing a caesarean birth plan, their caesarean birth options, and other things to consider.

Overall, expectant parents are keen to explore the options, the reasons for a caesarean, and how to make one less likely. They value the time spent on this topic, whether or not they go on to have a caesarean birth. My caesarean birth resources include crosswords, quizzes, a scavenger hunt and step-by-step visuals.

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

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6 ways to include solo parents in antenatal classes

include solo parents in antenatal classes

If you’re used to running antenatal classes for couples, having solo parents attend can feel daunting at first. Here are six ways to include solo parents in your antenatal classes.

1. Language

Watch your language and take the parent’s lead. How do they introduce themselves to you and the group – as a single parent, sole parent, solo parent…? Mirror their language.

2. Self-massage

It’s always a good idea to teach self-massage and self-hypnosis. Here are some self-massage techniques:

Self-massage techniques to include solo parents in antenatal classes
Self-massage techniques to include solo parents in antenatal classes

3. Images

Include images of solo parents in your classes – a single person in a labour or birth position, a mother or father holding their baby, and so on. Check whether your visual aids show people labouring on their own. My positions for labour and birth poster, cards and printable flashcards all include images of solo parents.

Childbirth positions poster
Positions for childbirth
Resources for childbirth education

4. Storytelling

Share stories about solo parents you’ve supported (only using their names with their consent). For example: “A solo parent on a previous course found XYZ really helpful.”

5. Hypnobirthing and mindfulness

Hypnobirthing (self-hypnosis for birth) is a very popular choice with solo parents. Regular practice helps the birthing parent get ‘in the zone’ and focus on their body and baby. Mindfulness techniques have also become increasingly popular, especially with solo parents – focusing on the here and now, themselves, their body and their baby works wonders during labour and birth. See also The Importance of Teaching Solo Labour Skills.

6. Include solo skills as standard

Make including solo parents something you do in every class. Even if everyone in the room has a birth partner, you never know whether that partner will make it to the birth. Explain to expectant parents that there is likely to be a time – even a short one – when the birthing parent is on their own.

Further reading

Chloe Leighton-Bulleid: Self-massage techniques for pregnancy and postpartum

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Teaching about induction

Induction and augmentation of labour have become essential topics in childbirth education. Expectant parents need to know the pros and cons, the different options, and the reasons why induction may be recommended. In my opinion, teaching about induction and augmentation means exploring:

  • Common reasons for recommending induction: why it is recommended, how important the reason is, and what evidence supports it
  • The different methods of induction and augmentation, e.g. membrane sweep, pessary, breaking the waters, the drip
  • The timeline of induction and augmentation – what may be offered, when and why
  • “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 rights in childbirth (see Birthrights)
  • How to feel empowered if they agree to an induction (support, informed decision-making, what’s 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.

Induction of labour - pdf
induction of labour cards

Timeline

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

timeline banner - induction and augmentation of labour

Informed Decision Making Game

One of my personal favourites is an informed decision-making scenario game, which works brilliantly for teaching about induction and augmentation too. You start with a scenario and offer two or more options. Participants choose one, and each choice develops the story further, leading to different outcomes. Some outcomes depend on choices and others on chance, with a roll of a die or two. It’s a fun way to explore how different choices may affect the birth experience, and it works in person, online and as homework. You might also like my My Birth Story dice game.

informed decision-making games for perinatal education
informed decision-making games for perinatal education

Teaching about induction of labour using visuals

To suit different learning styles and preferences, use a mix of visuals, tactile activities and the written word! You’ll find a range of ready-printed visual aids and digital downloads in my shop.

Posters

Childbirth Interventions Posters

I like to hang posters on the walls or in the windows during sessions – they reinforce the information and help with retention. My induction of labour posters come as a PDF plus editable PowerPoint and Google Slides. Posters on “How to encourage labour to start” (pictured below) are always very well received by parents and birth workers too.

teaching about induction of labour

Workbooks/Journals/Worksheets

An antenatal class journal/workbook with images and information about childbirth and infant feeding is a lovely take-home resource. Parents can make notes during the class and recap at home.

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:

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Hypnosis and Mindset Iceberg

The hypnosis and mindset iceberg: the conscious mind, the subconscious mind and the critical faculty. How does all that apply to childbirth?

Let’s think about it. When you look at an iceberg, you only see its tip – most of it is hidden underwater. So how does that relate to hypnosis and your mindset for birth?

Consciously, you know that childbirth is a natural process and that most babies can be born without assistance. We know that when we relax, more oxytocin flows, helping the birth process along with strong, regular contraction waves. So why do so many expectant parents struggle to relax during birth, or even during pregnancy? Because throughout our lives we hear – and start to believe – that childbirth is painful. The media, family and friends tell us so. During pregnancy, tests, appointments, scans and precautions can reinforce the belief that birth needs intervention. You might even hear a traumatic birth story from a stranger in the supermarket queue!

Your conscious mind is the tip of the iceberg, and your subconscious mind is the hidden base. This is your hypnosis and mindset iceberg:

The hypnosis and mindset iceberg

Overcoming the iceberg

Practising self-hypnosis and mindfulness during pregnancy can help you quieten the unhelpful beliefs held in your subconscious. It helps you focus on the here and now, and make the right decisions for you before and during your birth. Remember: regular practice and reinforcement of the techniques are the key to an empowered birth experience! Find out more in How does hypnobirthing work?

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
Enroll now

For perinatal educators: the iceberg is a powerful image to use in antenatal or parenting classes. Use it to explore expectant parents’ feelings, where they come from, and how the subconscious can influence decision-making, mindset and the birth, feeding and parenting experience.

Sources and further reading

All accessed on 24 January 2023. Please note that I am not affiliated with the owners of the websites above.

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Teaching about Waterbirth

Teaching about Waterbirth Teaching ideas for birthworkers

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

Ideas for teaching about waterbirth in your antenatal classes

Paperchase: benefits for mother, partner, baby and midwife

Split the class into four groups, each with a sheet of flipchart paper headed: mother/birthing person, father/partner, baby/babies or midwife. Each group brainstorms the benefits of waterbirth for their person. After one minute, groups move on to the next chart and add to it, until every group has had a minute on each chart. Then share the findings as a whole group. This takes around 10–15 minutes.

Dry run with an inflatable pool

A dry run with an inflatable pool is a great way to teach about waterbirth. I usually have the partners set up the pool while I time how long it takes to inflate it and add the liner. Meanwhile, the birthing parents explore pictures of different pool birth environments and positions in the pool. Once the pool is up, we discuss how long it might take to fill and what else they might need. Then every family can try out the pool to get a feel for its size. Be careful when trying positions: an empty pool will tip over if someone leans over the edge, so always have someone at the opposite side to keep it steady.

Brainstorm: home vs hospital practicalities

This works as a whole-group or small-group activity. Give each group a sheet of flipchart paper divided into two sections, and ask families to compare the practicalities of a waterbirth at home and in a hospital or maternity unit.

Pictures: “Why did you pick…?”

Lay out a selection of photos and position cards, including photos of equipment families might need or choose for a waterbirth. Ask each person or family (depending on group size) to pick one picture. Then, as a whole group, share: Why did you choose it? What can we see? How does it make you feel? Any questions about it? I usually use this as an icebreaker and ‘information leveller’.

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

Have you seen my positive birth video collection, including waterbirths? For background reading, see Benefits of Waterbirth.

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Birth Bag – Teaching Ideas

Birth bag teaching ideas for your antenatal classes! As birth workers – doulas, midwives, student midwives or perinatal educators – we aim to prepare expectant parents for their birth experience, and part of that is packing the birth bag (aka hospital bag).

Birth bag teaching ideas for in-person classes

Show and tell

Ask each family to bring up to three items for their birth bag to the next class. During “show and tell”, they share their items and why they chose them.

Brainstorm

Split the class into similar-sized groups. For couples’ classes, I split into two or four groups, separating birthing parents from birth partners. Each group writes or draws the items they’d like to take to the birth – giving you one list for birthing parents and a separate list for birth partners! If you’d rather not use paper and pens, or want to set this as homework or a pre-course task, try a Mentimeter word cloud instead (see below).

Paperchase

Split the group into three and set out three sheets of flipchart paper and pens. I like to draw a suitcase outline on each and add a heading: birthing parent, birth partner or baby. Each group brainstorms on its sheet for two minutes, then moves on to the next sheet to add to it, and then to the last one.

Sorting game

My Hospital Birth Bag Sorting Game is a ready-made, no-prep way to get everyone talking about what to pack.

Birth bag teaching ideas for virtual classes

Birth bag scavenger hunt

A good old scavenger hunt is a great way to explore what might go in a birth bag! It gets clients thinking about what they need and would like, and gets them off their seats during a virtual course. I like to include it as part of the break: I share my screen with a short list of things that might be useful for the birth, then ask clients to grab a drink and a snack, go to the loo, and bring as many items as they can back to the screen within 15 minutes.

You’ll find my very long birth bag list in another blog post – pick a few items from it, or write your own short list!

Birth bag teaching ideas

Word search

A birth bag word search is another way to create engagement in online classes. I make mine on my husband’s website, add it to my slides, and ask parents-to-be to annotate the slide with what they find. Then we discuss what they would add to or remove from their birth bag.

Birth bag word search for virtual antenatal classes
A word search – a teaching idea for virtual antenatal classes

Quick competition – show and tell

Like the scavenger hunt, I like to build this into a break. It’s far too easy to stay sat in one place during an online workshop, so this is another way to get clients moving and engaged!

Ask each couple or client to think about what they might need during the birth, and bring three items back to the screen – three items each, helpful to themselves, not their partner.

This is often the first time birth partners realise they need to look after themselves too, and may need some comfort items of their own.

Word cloud

Set up a word cloud on Mentimeter and ask clients to add their essential items. It’s a very engaging, fun and visual way to build a birth bag list together – and it’s anonymous! You can save the results as an image or PDF afterwards and send them out as a reminder or handout.

Example of Mentimeter word cloud results
An example of Mentimeter word cloud results

How do you teach the topic of birth bags in your childbirth preparation classes? Please share your ideas in the comments or email me!

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What is a labour beadline?

A labour or childbirth beadline is a lovely way to show the journey of labour! It’s a string of beads – often colourful – threaded onto strong fishing line or a similar cord. You can get creative by using different-sized beads to represent contractions and breaks, different colours, or both. I personally love working with wooden beads, but any material works beautifully. I enjoy mixing shiny new beads with pre-loved treasures from broken jewellery or charity shop finds.

Labour beadlines

Labour beadline for childbirth education

How do I use a labour beadline?

A labour beadline is a fantastic visual and tactile way to teach the stages of labour and birth. During an antenatal class or a 1:1 doula session, you might invite participants to label the different stages and chat about the variations they notice. Adding pictures of positions and self-help tools along the timeline can spark discussion about which techniques to try at each stage.

If you teach parents who are blind or visually impaired, a beadline makes a wonderful tactile teaching aid – especially when different-sized beads are used for contractions and breaks.

Labour beadline for childbirth education

What do the beads mean?

Each larger or differently coloured bead stands for a contraction. The smaller beads at the start represent mild, irregular early contractions. As labour progresses, the breaks between contractions get shorter and the contractions get stronger, shown by larger beads. Knots or specially shaped ridged beads represent the transition phase. A larger special bead, such as a heart, represents the birth of the baby, and a smaller special bead at the end stands for the placenta.

Labour beadline for childbirth education

When can I use a labour beadline?

A labour beadline works well with large groups, small groups or in 1:1 sessions. With larger groups, it can help to set out two or three beadlines so that everyone can explore and get hands-on. Most of my beadlines are designed with accessibility in mind: all the contraction beads are larger than the break beads, which makes them particularly suitable for visually impaired parents-to-be.

Where can I get a labour beadline?

You can make your own – it only takes an hour or two! Or you can choose from my range of ready-made beadlines for singleton and twin births.