This is our crash course on understanding the ways in which the pelvis can move in labor, how the baby navigates their way down and out, and the relationship between the two! Designed for both the labor and delivery nurse and the doula, this course is a MUST for perinatal professionals looking to enhance their skills, bring up to date evidence based knowledge to their clients, and get creative with positioning and movement in labor for better birth outcomes. In this course, we will: Compare changes in space of the pelvic planes based on femur rotation, sacral/iliac nutation/counternutation, and asymmetry Identify fetal rotation and dynamics in relation to the pelvic planes Shift perspective from focusing on progress based on dilation to progress based on fetal descent Recognize research-based benefits to incorporating movement in labor Explore parental positions for encouraging fetal descent and rotation at different fetal stations in labors both with and without pain medication
This two hour continuing education training for doulas provides an in-depth understanding of what doula support looks like through prenatal care, birthing support, and the postpartum journey for clients giving birth by cesarean. Doulas will develop ideas, skills, and techniques for providing high-quality individualized support that leaves clients feeling educated, nurtured, and supported. 2 CEs through ICEA have been approved. In this workshop, we will: Develop key talking points for exploring cesarean birth in prenatal visits Explore ways to educate the client’s support team through labor and cesarean birth Illustrate the role of doula support through planned and unplanned cesarean birth Identify the immediate postpartum support needs for cesarean birth families Summarize the extended postpartum support needs for cesarean birth families Prepare additional resources for birth story processing
Our self-paced Infant Care 101 is your guide for navigating the first few weeks with your sweet little baby. This course is based on our popular in-person and live virtual classes but offers the opportunity to learn at your own pace and review material as necessary. Topics include physical characteristics of newborns and what to expect in the first few hours and days after birth, basics of newborn behavior and physiology, signs of illness and knowing when to call the pediatrician, the basics of diapering, umbilical cord care, care for the circumcised and intact penis, and bathing. Tips and suggestions for soothing a fussy baby are discussed as well including touch, massage, and swaddling. The class also covers creating realistic expectations for the new family dynamic. This course will leave you feeling better informed as well as confident and excited to begin the journey of parenting!
Nursing your baby is a relationship that is best nourished with support and understanding. Our comprehensive course will help build your confidence while providing you with a solid understanding of how milk is produced and maintained, ways to prevent common complications, and how to navigate the nursing relationship as it unfolds in the first few weeks and months. Our course covers the basics of milk production, how to know that your baby is getting enough, proper positioning and latch for successful and comfortable nursing, tips for meeting the individual's nursing goals, feeding misconceptions, information on storing and expressing milk, and where (and when!) to go for additional support once your baby arrives. Nursing supplies and products are also discussed and techniques and tips to ease the nursing relationship are shared.
This one hour webinar style workshop is a historiographical look at how obstetrics began in the United States and how certain racist and pseudoscientific notions of the mid to late 1800s became embedded in obstetrical practice. In this workshop, we explore how American doctors gained footing in medicine within the emerging field of “women’s health.” Factors that contributed to a biased perspective and understanding of childbirth are analyzed, with further exploration of the long-term effects on management of childbirth to this day. The workshop wraps up with a discussion of research-based ways to move forward to improve birth safety and childbirth outcomes. This workshop was originally presented as part of the ICEA 2022 Conference for Childbirth Professionals and has been awarded 1 contact hour through ICEA.
Our course supports you in developing the confidence, knowledge, and skills to have an empowering birth experience based on YOUR preferences and priorities. With our most comprehensive course offered, you'll have access to hours of content to encourage a healthy and empowered birth!
This bundle prepares you for birth, breastfeeding, and infant care. It includes our courses Your Empowered Birth, Lactation 101, and Infant Care 101.
Home is where the heart is–and the birth and the education. Dive into preparing for a confident and empowering birth with our self-paced course designed specifically for those birthing at home. Topics include informed decision making and shared trust between the client and midwife through pregnancy and birth, pelvic dynamics and positioning of the baby for a smoother labor, movement for a healthy pregnancy and birth, mindfulness and partner exercises to build confidence and trust in oneself and each other, the physiological and emotional process of labor, understanding hospital transfer and maintaining control in the decision making process should a transfer become necessary, and comfort measures, movement, and positions for labor. Class participants receive a digital packet of class materials to enhance the content shared throughout the course.
This bundle prepares you for homebirth, breastfeeding, and infant care. It includes our courses Your Empowered Homebirth, Lactation 101, and Infant Care 101.
Preparing for the weeks after birth is just as important as preparing for the birth itself. In our course geared solely towards understanding and embracing the time after birth, you will gain clarity on the physical and emotional aspects of the postpartum as well as suggestions for making the time as peaceful, restful, and positive as possible. Our course, Your Empowered Postpartum, begins with a look at the immediate postpartum and takes you through the first few hours, days, and weeks after vaginal birth and cesarean birth. With an emphasis on supporting the body as it heals and supporting the emotions as they shift, we explore nourishment, movement, pelvic floor health, family and community support, identity shifts, and bonding with your little one. Join us in preparing for a confident, healthy, and empowering postpartum!
Our VBAC preparation class provides expectant families with an opportunity to gather evidence based information, build confidence and knowledge, and prepare for a vaginal birth after cesarean that is a positive and healthy labor and childbirth experience. Confidence and knowledge is developed through the exploration of topics including choosing a VBAC friendly provider, becoming an active participant in decision making, and factors that affect VBAC success. Participants dive into understanding pelvic dynamics and fetal positioning for an efficient labor and decreased risk of intervention. Additional topics include medical pain relief options, comfort in labor, emotional support through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, understanding cesarean birth if it becomes necessary, postpartum planning, postpartum expectations, and more!