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Frequently asked questions
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When is it too late
to register?
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Typically, people sign up a month in
advance. Some register right before the workshop begins. However, many workshops fill up and people have been
disappointed when there is no space. Also we ship materials a few weeks before/ plan food and it's helpful to know
how many will be there. However if you just heard about the workshop and it starts in a day or two, please sign up and
come. If you sign up 30
days in advance you will receive a complimentary copy of "The Idea Box for the Creative and Interactive Childbirth Educator."
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Do
I have to buy a Lamaze study guide? |
We feel the Lamaze study
guide is a great resource. You can purchase it at any time from Lamaze. If you are going to take the Lamaze certification
exam, it is required for new educators. It is over 500+ pages and packed full of articles and is organized in the following
segments: - Changing the World of Birth
- Professional Role of the Childbirth Educator
- Promoting
a Safe and Healthy Pregnancy
- Promoting a Natural, Safe and Healthy Birth
- Healthy Baby, Breastfeeding and Early
Parenting
- Teaching
When you purchase it, you are given
on-line access. IF you want a hard copy and are waiting for your FedEx discount that comes with your membership that
you will receive after your workshop, PfB is happy to send the print file to FedEx for you and you can pick it up at your
local FedEx office. The processing/print fee is $30. You can request spiral bound or three hole punched.
To receive a paypal invoice to pay by credit card, contact Teri. |
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Are there time limits?
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Your complimentary Lamaze membership begins right after your workshop
and is for the rest of the calendar year. (If you attend a workshop after Sept 1, it will be for the rest of the year
and will roll over for the next year. Because Lamaze membership includes a significant savings on the certification
exam, it's most cost effective to take the exam while that is still active. However, the workshop qualifies you to take the exam for up to three years. After that point you need
to take it again.
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Can I just take the workshop if I am already certified or am not interested
in certification?
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YES! We have had many people who take the workshop for the contact
hours or for fresh ideas. Some are already certified by Lamaze, others are certified by other organizations and some
are not interested in certification at all. Anyone interested in stomping out boring childbirth education is welcome
to attend! We have a special rate for current LCCEs
who come and serve as a resource for the group. Space is limited for this special pricing. Check out the registration
form for the workshop you are interested in.
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Can I just sign up for a day and not the whole workshop?
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Sorry, but you need to attend the whole workshop. We can't
award partial contact hours and it's difficult on group dynamics to have people come and go. |
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Can I bring my baby to the workshop?
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PfB loves babies BUT we have learned that it works best for the baby's
mother, other participants and the facilitator if someone is brought along to take care of the baby during the workshop, and
bring the baby in for nursing as needed. We use also sorts of facilities so the arrangements/space can vary.
And there is a big difference between a young baby and one who is in the vocal or active movement stage. So talk with
Teri or the host/facilitator before you register. |
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I am an active doula. What if I have to miss part of the workshop?
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We often get asked this as we have had many doulas complete our workshop.
We will try to work with you if you miss an hour or two. You are always welcome to come to another workshop if you get
called out for a significant amount of time. This is a case by case situation and we always hope those babies wait!
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I know it's not required by Lamaze, but if I want feedback on my course
design I create, is that possible?
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Yes. Usually it works best to work with your workshop facilitator.
There is a small fee and online sharing through Google documents is preferred. However the PfB equips you with self-check tools that almost guarantee that your plan is interactive
and dynamic! |
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How do I find a childbirth class to observe?
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Find the very best childbirth educator in your area and ask if you can observe her classes.
Hopefully that "very best" person will be Lamaze certified but if there are no Lamaze educators actively teaching
or others who are more highly recommended, observe them! There is very little benefit to watching a poor educator or
one who is not evidenced based. If there is NOBODY to watch, PfB does have a series of classes on DVD you can borrow
and watch. It's not as much fun and rewarding as it is with real people and an instructor you can dialogue with
before and after the program and may be a possible mentor in the future. To find a Lamaze educator in your area, go to
lamaze.org and go to the childbirth educator locator. When observing classes, remember you are an observer. Try to soak in as much as you can.
Don't be disruptive. Volunteer to help set up/take down and/or bring snacks. Some educators allow you to observe
for free, others have limited space and would have to turn down a paying enrollment to make room for you. Clarify if
there is a fee before you observe a class series. Even if you took classes
when you were pregnant, you should watch another class. You will benefit in different ways than
when you were personally facing birth and trying to clarify all that information, skills, etc.
PfB has helpful forms to guide your observations. |
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How can I arrange to be at births?
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There are
a couple ways to make the connections to do this. The easiest of course is
if you are able to attend friend's and family member’s births.
The next possibility is to
offer support to members of a childbirth class you observe. They will know you and may appreciate the
extra support.
You can volunteer at a teen program, crisis pregnancy center,
at the hospital.
Talk to your midwife and/or ob/gyn to see if they can help
you. You can also talk to area hospitals to see if they will allow the observation.
There
are now strict confidentiality rules that you will abide by, called HIPPA. You can get a special letter
from Teri verifying your enrollment in the childbirth educator training program and your agreement to
follow the hospital’s confidentiality protocols.
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How do I set up practicing with an observer/mentor?
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Be
creative! By now you have surveyed your community and know where the teaching opportunities may be.
Connect with a LCCE and see if you can make arrangements to have her observe a class series you have organized or if she
would consider allowing you to team-teach a session in her class under her supervision. Some experienced
educators will volunteer to do this, others expect payment. Clarify these issues before you start to
teach. Also remind them if they are an LCCE that they can claim alternate credit towards their re-certification
for observing you! If there is no LCCE available in your community, you can select someone whose feedback
would be helpful to be the observer/mentor. You can also design an teach a shorter program - like an
early pregnancy class or a refresher class for second time mothers or a special review class for hands on labor support techniques.
The sky is the limit!
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Will I be able to find a job after I finish the program?
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This is
the million dollar question and worth exploring before you leap into becoming a childbirth educator.
Survey your community - who offers classes? Who is NOT going to classes and how could they be reached? Often times
there are classes at the hospitals, faith-based organizations, child play centers, yoga/fitness centers,
community centers, private OB-Gyn offices, Early Headstart. Talk to educators in your community and see if there are predicted
openings? Is there a potential clientele to offer private classes to? Is there a need for special classes
like sibling, over 35, pre-conception, grandparents, etc. etc. Take the time to survey your community.
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The exam is several months away and I have completed the
workshop. Can I start teaching?
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The answer
is yes. While you are waiting to take the examination and then waiting for the results, you can say you
have attended a Passion for Birth seminar, accredited by Lamaze International.
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I have taken the Lamaze certification exam, can I state that I am teaching Lamaze
classes?
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According to Linda Harmon, Executive Director of Lamaze International: "Until
you hear about your exam results, you cannot hold yourself out as a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator (or Lamaze
educator) or promote that you teach Lamaze childbirth classes. In the interim, you can indicate that you are a childbirth
educator, who attended a Lamaze Childbirth Educator Seminar through Passion for Birth. You can state that your childbirth
education class is based on the Lamaze Six Healthy Birth Practices (assuming that it is). Then when you are certified
you are eligible to use the Lamaze trademarks and certification seal in connection with your class as outlined in the Licensing
Policy."
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I lost my certificate of attendance for the workshop - can I get a duplicate?
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Yes, however there is a fee. $5 for a pdf file sent by email for
workshops in 2012. $10 for a scanned pdf document
for workshops prior to 2012. $15 for a mailed duplicate certificate.
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Do you ever cancel a workshop? What if I have to cancel?
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PfB HATES to cancel a workshop.
We work very hard when we select sites to make sure we are never in that position. The host/local
organizer promises to do everything in her power to spread the word and make sure there are at least 8 to 15 people excited
about coming! However, if only 2 or 3 people and the host register, we will have to cancel.
It's not only a financial issue but there is not enough "group" for group dynamics, learning
from each other and interactive activities. If your seminar is cancelled, you will be offered
a refund and receive a coupon for $100 off another seminar. It is recommended before you book
non-refundable airline tickets that you check with PfB to see how registrations are going. If weather or illness or family emergency
impacts the seminar's Learning Facilitator, PfB will work hard to substitute another trainer or delay
the start (weather) but try hard not to cancel. These things will be handled obviously case-by-case.
What happens if I register for a workshop and have to cancel? The $100 deposit/registration fee paid to hold your space is NOT refundable.
It is transferable if requested at least 30 days in advance.
The balance of
workshop fees are not refundable but are transferable. However, if you cancel late (within 21
days of the workshop), there is an additional $100 fee to transfer your workshop fee. All requests for transfer/cancellation must be sent in writing.
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I love what PfB is doing. Can I make a donation to a scholarship fund?
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YES, YES, YES! We would love to expand our capabilites to award more scholarships,
especially to those educators who want to reach communities who are not provided resourcesto take empowering
childbirth education classes. You can donate directly to PfB or if for tax reasons it may be advantageous
to donate directly to Lamaze International (non-profit 501-c3 status) and they will earmark funds for
PfB participants. Thank you! Contact Teri |
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Other questions
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