As I prepare to take my LCCE exam I am doing a lot of reading and research. One of my (MANY) required readings is from this article:
Commentary — Chronic Moral Distress Among Childbirth Educators: Is There a Cure?
Marilyn Curl, RNC, CNM, LCCE, FACCE.
You can read the entire article published in the The Journal of Perinatal Education here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2667296/
but here is the part that I found most interesting, or rather, disheartening…
A more recent study by Carlton, Callister, and Stoneman (2005) examined the decision-making processes among laboring women. Of interest to childbirth educators is the researchers’ observation that ‘‘generic hospital-based perinatal educational offerings served to orient women to hospital routines’’ and failed to educate them ‘‘about the risks and benefits of available options’’ (p.150). Such statements contribute to the moral distress experienced by educators whose influence is too often limited by powerful others. The common stories of these educators consistently include the following themes:
- Employers insist information presented in class must reflect hospital practice, not necessarily best practice.
- Class size is driven more by a desire to contain cost than by a desire to provide quality instruction.
- Instructors are directed to include educational materials produced by feeding-formula companies, cord-blood registries, and makers of disposable diapers.
- Class time is diminished by mandates to include guest speakers—most commonly anesthesiologists,who tend to provide a one-dimensional view of pain management.
- Health-care providers give class participants information that is in conflict with current evidence, placing instructors in an awkward position.
To complicate the issue further, consumer attitudes have shifted, with women viewing childbirth classes as a ‘‘burden,’’ despite the best efforts of educators (Tiedje, Price, & You, 2008).
Tags: Childbirth Education, childbirth preparation, Hospital Birth, LCCE training, Natural Birth
Hi Joy! I did not read your linked article but I must note, when pregnant with Genevieve I took a birthing class at Prebyterian Dallas. It was an ALL-DAY class designed to cover the basics of childbirth. The educator was wonderful and spent a majority of the class encouraging natural, intervention free birthing techniques. She personally had 3 of her 4 children at home naturally and one in the hospital naturally. I thought the class would cover many birthing methods – which it did – but more so outlined the incredible risks of any intervention and encouraged against epidurals, c-sections, etc.
Lastly, the babycare 101 class was a lactation class in disguise – not what I intended to sign my husband up for ;-). If someone in the area is seeking birthing classes at a hospital, I would strongly recommend Presby Dallas for their excellent array of explanation and teaching in the class I took. I was thoroughly impressed and walked out sure of my birthplan.
Nikki – I’m so glad you had a positive experience with your childbirth class! You had a wide range of options presented to you and that’s to be commended. I would/should say that when taking a childbirth class always look and see where/with whom the teacher has her credentials. Who was she certified with? I think that can make a big difference. For instance, I know there are many Lamaze instructors who teach in a hospital environment, but are not sponsored/paid by the hospital. I should note that this article was in reference to “generic hospital-based perinatal educational offerings.”
Also, some hospitals are more mother/baby friendly than others and do actually encourage informed decision making. I have heard that Presby hospitals in Texas are moving to become “Baby Friendly” (http://www.babyfriendlyusa.org/eng/01.html) by 2012! Which could speak to why your experience was such a good one. Thanks for sharing your experience!
That is exactly what my childbirth class was like at the hospital! I found it to lack good information, most of what they covered I already knew. And nothing they taught me I actually used in labor. Breathing techniques, etc. It was dumb. If I have to do it again, I would go somewhere else. Maybe do more than one elsewhere for a variety. The only good thing that came of it was the grand tour of the birthing suites. Now THAT was cool!