Inspiration and Resources

Elisabeth Bing is a founding mother of "Lamaze" classes. At the age of 91, in 2006, she was still actively teaching. I hope to live as long and keep on teaching families. Her story is inspiring. Check out the words of wisdom she offers to educators, women and families. A video interview of her is also posted.

The Journal of Perinatal Education has been archived from 2000 to 2006 and you can read and print out articles. It is an excellent resource for teaching strategies and research data. Also, it contains many heartfelt experiences of other childbirth educators.

This week I was busy planning for 2008. I have been dreaming of how to teach and write and balance my life. I really want to connect with the families who come to me. I have begun to use a closing circle where each person states in a word or two what they got from the class. It is a beautiful way to end my all day Saturday classes. I feel better connected with the class and I get to really see and hear the change in them from fear to confidence.

Peace

Childbirth Connection Rules

I vote Childbirth Connection as the leader in providing accessibility to research based and evidence based materials for families and professionals. This booklet on "Comfort in Labor" by Penny Simkin is so wonderful and it can be downloaded at no charge. Just refer your families to their website. They also have "What Every Pregnant Woman Needs to Know About Cesarean Section". This booklet is so well done. The resources provided by this organization will teach for you. I feel that my job is done when I refer my families to this amazing site. Information and knowledge is power. If we can provide all the data and possibilities to families we will make birth better for women everywhere!
Check it out!

Handouts for Class

The internet has available resources for free class handouts and downloadable pdf booklets. Here are a few links to the ones I have used before. Yes, it is free advertisement for the companies that provide them. Yet, if you are just beginning to teach or don't have the time to write a new handout then these are wonderful options and most have accurate and great information written by some by leaders and peers in the childbirth education field.

Pampers Professional Website
Growing Families
Lamaze Care Practices
Childbirth Connection
American Baby Magazine

Use these resources to keep your teaching fresh.

Happy Teaching!