ICEA Childbirth Educator Program?

SC RN, RN · Feb 25, 2004

Anybody have any info on this or other programs? It would be so appreciated .... :balloons:

lynn27 · Feb 26, 2004

Hello! I have been a childbirth educator since 1992...was originally a Bradley teacher and then became certified as an ICEA instructor using their experienced teacher guidelines. You can find more info on icea.org. Recertification is every 4years and they offer postpartum education, pregnancy fitness, doula certifications also. Another course that I have become aware of is the BABE course. It is being offered through hospitals (have seen it advertised in HCA hosp),and you can find more info at http://www.acbe.com/babe-req.html. What I really liked about ICEA was that it really was pro parents making informed choices regarding their care and is not viewed as "militant" as sometimes Bradley is viewed. Lamaze also offers certification (but I am not sure about websites). What would probably be really helpful to you is to ask about childbirth preparation classes from your nurses that teach at your hosp.

SC RN, RN · Feb 27, 2004

Thanks for all of the info, that was exactly what I was looking for! And, yes, I've talked to the educators at my hospital and they have given me the course info that they teach and I plan on auditing one of their six week courses. I just also wanted to get certified because I'm just that kind of person ... I like knowing I learned something and tested well on it because I retained the knowledge. I ordered the ICEA coursework today so hopefully I can get started soon ... thanks again for all of your help!

lynn27 · Feb 27, 2004

You're very welcome...I'm glad that I could help! :)

Mahnikuh · Mar 26, 2005

Hi all,

I was recently certified as a childbirth educator through ACBE. I took the BABE course mentioned in the above post and I loved it!

My favorite thing about the BABE course was the interactive ways we learned to teach childbirth subjects. My instructor was so big on getting the parents involved in the class rather than lecture style.

(I said this already on another thread but I'll say it again.....)

She told us to teach post partum by putting a bunch of different objects in a gym bag. Each person had to take out an object and say how it related to PP. She put the PP "undies" in the bag, a nursing bra, she even put a plastic banana in there (encouraging Moms and their partners to have healthy snacks that need no preparation in the early weeks of pregnancy.... nursing Moms can keep snacks where they nurse their baby).

Anyway, I loved the BABE course and would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to be a certified childbirth educator.

BETSRN · Mar 27, 2005

Hi Everyone,
Been a member for a while and now that I'm in my second semester of nursing school, feel like I can finally take a few minutes and ask some questions about some things ...
First off, I'm already working post partum as a nurse tech and my NM loves me and wants me to come work there when I'm done with school. My long term goal is to go back and get my Masters so that I can teach nursing school ... short term goal is to get a good job and make some money so that my husband can relax for a while! I do love L&D, PP, NICU and Peds (which is what our closed Maternal Child Health Services includes) but have not made up my mind where I'll go in the end.
However, it's possible that I may be able to start teaching prepared childbirth classes as I've always loved this area and there may be an opening. Would it be smart to get certified through ICEA? Now, I realize there is no fool proof way to know everything, just wondering if this is a good place to get a strong base of knowledge to go from. Any thought?
Thanks for all of your input and for this great section of the board ... I love reading the posts here! Especially the book recommendations ... I love books! :)

I am not certified through ICEA but I use their teaching pamphlets all the time in CB class! They are wonderful!! I would definitely go with ICEA (or Lamaze).