| 
Childbirth Education course outline
This is the “standard” course offered by Parents Centre & taught by a Childbirth Educator.Course durationMinimum of 12 hours (but preferably 14 hours or more), usually over 6 to 9 weeks, depending on whether an Early Pregnancy Course has been run.
Weekend, block or ‘intensive’ courses may also be run according to the expressed needs of pregnant women.
Some topics will be excluded if these have been covered in an early pregnancy course.
Enrol for classes
Topics
Foetal Development Developmental stages of the foetus Description and role of the placenta Effects on foetus of drugs, alcohol and smoking Information on available smoking cessation courses
Prenatal Care“Routine” tests and their significance Options in childbirth, caregiver, and place of birth Visits to caregiver, including birth plans, communication, seeking second opinion, issues surrounding informed choice and consent Special tests, including ultrasound scanning, electronic foetal monitoring Possible pregnancy problems, including signs and symptoms
Nutrition Relevance and importance of nutrition in pregnancy Increased nutritional needs in pregnancy and ways of ensuring these are met Nutritional means of reducing pregnancy complications/discomforts Dental care in pregnancy
Physical and Psychological Needs Changes in the mother's physiology/pregnancy discomforts Psychological/emotional changes arising out of physical changes, changes in lifestyle and circumstances, changing sexuality, relationship changes
Pelvic Awareness Description of the pelvis. Exercise to demonstrate how the pelvis moves and positions useful for increasing the size of the outlet Overview of pelvic organs Description of the pelvic floor: the muscles, their shape and the significance of this shape Pelvic floor exercises and perineal massage Optimal foetal positioning
Relaxation - interwoven Demonstrate breathing awareness as a relaxation technique. May include visualisation, progressive relaxation - optional Discuss relaxation as a life skill and it’s use in labour Enhancing relaxation during Labour by modifying the environment; role of support people; positions for labour and birth Use of massage and touch; water and heat
Stretching and Exercise Benefits and cautions of stretching in pregnancy Warm-ups and basic stretches Posture and back care Stretching to include the way the out breath is used in labour General exercise
Pain The physiological and psychological aspects of pain in labour The role of pain in labour Ways of making pain more bearable Use of stretching exercises to illustrate these points
Description of Labour - An overview of the complete labour/birth process.
- A more detailed description of normal labour and its variations should include:
- Signs of impending labour
- Onset of labour
- First stage patterns
- Birthing behaviour and emotional responses
- Admission procedures if appropriate
- Monitoring of mother and baby
- Second stage and birth
- Third stage
- Initial contact with baby
- Many of these topics maybe integrated and taught together
Drugs, Obstetric Procedures and their Alternatives Informed decision making and consents Alternative methods and self help techniques Common obstetric procedures: risks/benefits/alternatives Description of drugs used for pain relief: risks/benefits/alternatives
Breastfeeding Benefits of breastfeeding (not pros & cons) First contact with baby – the importance of skin to skin Positioning the baby at the breast Physiology of lactation. Supply = demand, let-down reflex Possible early challenges: sore nipples, engorgement etc Supplementary feeds, conflicting advice Mother’s nutritional needs while breastfeeding Local breastfeeding resources and support available BFHI & the 10 Steps to successful breastfeeding Contraception for breastfeeding mother
Postnatal Issues Lochia, third day blues, ‘after pains’, rooming-in, demand feeding, early discharge, care during the immediate postpartum period, conflicting advice Newborn appearance, care of the newborn, circumcision if appropriate Vitamin K, jaundice, Guthrie test, neonatal intensive care, vaccinations, baby with special needs Safe Sleeping – co sleeping, head shape, sleep positions, mattress wrapping
Early Days at Home Ideas for coping in the first few weeks, including self-care Tiredness, reassessment of priorities, simplifying housekeeping Clear communication Sexuality and Contraception - variation in needs and desires, importance of communication
Unplanned Experiences Well Child Care
Optional topics - Infant CPR –using a qualified tutor
- Infant car seats – in brief or using a qualified tutor to demonstrate
- Signs and symptoms of Illness, when to call the doctor
- Postnatal Exercises
- Community Support
- Practical Parenting
- Infant equipment & products
- Nappies
- Infant clothing
- Baby bathing
- Infant massage
- Bedding – Cot Death & safe sleeping must only be taught by a CBE
- Breastfeeding related matters – these can only be included when a CBE facilitator is used
Teaching ResourcesTo enable the Childbirth educator to vary her teaching and presentation techniques, a range of resources will be necessary. The extent of these resources will vary from Centre to Centre according to circumstances may include most of the following: - Videos about PCNZ, childbirth, breastfeeding, the first few days after birth, CPR, child safety
- Audio tapes
- Mats, pillows, chairs
- Pelvis and doll, knitted uterus, placenta
- Whiteboard, blackboard, OHP
- Charts showing foetal development, presentation, labour, the newborn, breastfeeding
- Pamphlets on a variety of topics such as caesarean section, infant feeding, resource personnel, community groups as recommended by Parents Centre
- Books and texts: Preparing for Birth
- Well stocked library about birth and parenting
|
