I replied to this to Macha direct, when I should have replied to the list.
Here is my reply.
Debbie
--- Begin Message --- In a message dated 5/21/02 6:10:36 PM W. Australia Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Hi. Does anyone know how birth educators get educated? What qualifications
do they have?
Thanks, Macha.
Macha
I can't tell you about others, but in my case, I trained with the National Childbirth Trust in the UK. The training takes about 2 to 3 years (part time), and involves a mixture of private study, regular day-long tutorials, residential workshops and study days. The first level takes around 6 months or so and involves writing around 6 essays on a variety of introductory subjects, such as your own birth experiences, local maternity services, transferable skills etc. Plus you have to observe two 16 to 18 hours courses taught by a qualified teacher.
The second level comprises 14 units on Facilitating learning, reflective practice, communication and listening skills, maternity service provision, time management and study skills, the anatomy and physiology of pregnancy, labour and birth, informed choice, postnatal issues e.g. life changes, the emotional side of being parents, as well as more practical issues, "making the baby real", loss, bereavement and special situations e.g. PND, pre-eclampsia, teaching second and subsequent babies, teaching men, teaching physical skills, and pain and pain relief. Breastfeeding is also covered - in particular how to facilitate a session on breastfeeding. There is an exam on the anatomy and physiology.
You also have to teach 3 full courses ( 9 two-hour sessions per course), which are observed by your Tutor and marked.
You also have to keep a reflective diary.
The course is validated by the University of Luton and, at the end of training you are awarded a Diploma of Higher Education.
Once qualified you have to keep on attending Study Days (both NCT ones, as well as external courses such as those provided by the Royal College of Midwives, or the RCOG), and your teaching is regularly assessed by peers. You also have to keep up to date with developments (e.g. by reading MIDIRS digests and midwifery journals).
Hope this helps - as I say, this is the NCT training - and I was recently accepted here in Oz as a NACE advanced educator on the basis of this training.
Debbie Slater
Perth, WA
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