What does this class prepare me to do?

The workshop builds your skills in how to clearly communicate information to expectant couples. You may choose to use these skills to provide informal education one-on-one to expectant parents as a supplement to other services that you provide (e.g. doula support, midwifery care, etc.)

 

However, the main emphasis of the workshop is learning to teach structured childbirth preparation classes to a group of students, in a hospital setting, or in the community.

 

The majority of childbirth educators work as hospital employees, teaching hospital-based classes. You may also choose to organize community classes, which could be offered in collaboration with local midwives, physicians, parks departments, or continuing education programs at a local community college. There may also be public sector jobs available.

 

For some employers, all they will require of you is that you have attended the workshop. Some will require that you be a nurse in order to teach. Some will require certification (see below). Completing the workshop does mean that you meet the requirements to accept medical coupons for classes that you teach; note that additional paperwork is required to have the program as a whole approved for First Steps reimbursement if that has not already been done.

 

In a hospital setting, childbirth educators are typically paid $16 to $28 per hour depending on experience. This pay includes class time, plus some time for setting up and cleaning up. Any time that you spend outside of class (developing lesson plans, preparing materials for classes, updating your knowledge by reading journal articles) is not paid time.

 

Childbirth education offers a great opportunity for a person who is looking for a flexible job to bring in some extra money, to contribute to the community, and to combine some professional development with other responsibilities such as parenting. Typically, an instructor will have a lot of flexibility in setting her/his own schedule. Some instructors teach for only a few hours a week, or only in summer, or only during the school year. Some instructors teach multiple evenings each week. It's generally not possible to work full-time as a childbirth educator, simply because the available working hours are limited. Because of the work schedules of expectant parents, childbirth classes can typically only be offered between 6 and 9 pm on Monday through Thursday evenings, and from 9 - 5 on Saturdays and Sundays. Even if someone taught all these available slots each week, it is not a full-time job.