Question: Lactation Consultant and Child birth educator

[premedturnednursing]

So....even though I'm sure googling it would be easier, I'm trying to figure out how to become a lactation consultant and chilbirth educator. I'm not finished with nursing school yet (heck, I just started) but I am trying to get a jump start on researching possible careers, etc. I am in an accelerated program, so I will be finished next summer. I'm looking at becoming an L&D nurse to eventually become a CNM. What will it take for me to get these certifications (if that's what they are)? Are there any I can get before I'm an actual nurse?

Thanks in advance

[tulip928]

http://americas.iblce.org/eligibilityrequirements.php

To get certified as a lactation consultant is quite a rigorous endeavor - I've looked into myself. Hope this link helps you with information you're looking for.

[clhRN2b2010]

Childbirth Educator is also quite an endeavor, if you're going through one of the major accrediting organizations. I believe that in some hospitals, RN's can be hired as CE's but do little more than explain hospital polcy, equiptment, what to do the day of your labor, and the most basic, basic labor comfort techniques. (i.e. when to call for the epidural)

Google : Hypnobirthing, ICEA, ALACE, DONA, Bradley.

All various methods, decide what you support, and check into the requirments for each.

[nurturing_angel]

LAMAZE and CAPPA have very good childbirth education programs. I will eventually be dually certified as a childbirth educator by both Lamaze and CAPPA.

I have been an RN educator for many years and I have also taught way more than basic hospital routines and simple comfort techniques. It all depends on how motivated you are to teach your classes correctly and truly prepare your pts for labor and delivery.

:heartbeat

[futurecnm]

i looked into all of this before I started nursing school. I am now done (yippee) and am heading into emergency nursing (yes I totally changed my interests along the way!). My big plan was to become a CNM but now I'm probably going to get my masters in another field of nursing. Anyway, it does take quite a bit to become a LC. You can go to the website to see the requirements but it is bascially many hours of working with lactating moms and class time, book studying, tests etc. I know it was not easy but is a little easier if you are already a RN working in L&D with breastfeeding moms (easier to get the required hours). To become a CNM it requires a masters in midwifery. This takes probably 2-3 yr after the RN program. I know at the university here, you needed 1 yr L&D experience prior to getting in the CNM program. And they only took 10 per year.