Frequently Asked Questions
- What is special about Birth Works?
- Who takes Birth Works classes?
- When should I take Birth Works classes?
- How long is a Birth Works series of classes?
- You say that Birth Works is not a method. Then what is it?
- Do you teach breathing patterns?
- One of the differences I notice in your program is that you teach pelvic bodywork. What is it?
- I hear that Birth Works provides both an emotional and physical preparation for birth. Please explain.
- How is the Birth Works childbirth preparation program different from other methods?
- Why do you include women with all birthing histories (new parents, women women with previous vaginal and cesarean births), including VBAC in the same class?
- What happens if I miss one or more weeks of a Birth Works class?
- Where can I take a Birth Works class?
- Who are Birth Works instructors?
- I received the list of requirements for the childbirth educator program and it says to study the manual before doing the exam. Are there any modules to complete and send in before doing the exam or does the written work consist of mainly the essays and book reports mentioned in the information package?
- Is a birth experience one of the prerequisites for certification as a Birth Works childbirth educator?
- How often is the childbirth educator program updated?
- Could you tell me the specific requirements for recertification? And I understand you need to re-certify after one year. Is that correct?
- Does Birth Works have any religious or political affiliation?
- Is the content of the manual quite applicable to Canadians?
- What does the exam involve? Essays, Multiple choice? Is it open book? Where would I complete it?
- What does Birth Works offer in terms of continuing education?
- Does Birth Works train doulas?
- Will my insurance company reimburse for Birth Works instruction? Do I need to be a certified childbirth educator in order to take insurance / Medicaid?
- Do Birth Works instructors attend births?
- I don't want natural childbirth. Is Birth Works for me?
- Who can I bring with me to classes?
- In Birth Works, expectant parents are asked to take your classes within the first trimester or even before they are pregnant. If I do this, will I forget what I learned by the time I give birth?
- Does Birth Works teach international childbirth educator workshops?
- How did Birth Works start?
- Is Birth Works a program with full credentials?
- Q: What is special about Birth Works?
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- We believe the knowledge about how to give birth already exists within every woman. Therefore, a woman does not need to be taught how to give birth; rather the Birth Works classes are designed to help women have more trust and faith in their innate ability to give birth and to help build self-confidence for giving birth.
- The learning is experiential which means that the impact of learning is deeper when learned in an emotional context, making it more meaningful and lasting.
- We do not teach breathing patterns but instead encourage slow deep breathing and working with contractions.
- Although parents can start anytime during their pregnancy, we encourage expectant parents to take classes before they are pregnant or in the first trimester.
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- Q: Who should take Birth Works classes?
- A: Anyone with any birthing history can take Birth Works classes. Women with previous cesareans or vaginal births and new parents all share their experiences, beliefs, and choices together in the same setting. They learn that each woman gives birth in her own unique way and makes choices right for her.
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- Q: When should I take Birth Works classes?
- A: As early in pregnancy as possible because that is the time to be identifying belief systems, interviewing doctors and midwives, and choosing your place of birth. It is also the time to be developing birth plans. However, it is never too late to contact a Birth Works instructor in your area.
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- Q: How long is a Birth Works series of classes?
- A: Birth Works classes are flexible and vary in length from a standard class that is 8 weeks (16 hours), to a condensed class that is 6 weeks (12 hours), or an extended class that is 10 weeks (20 hours). In addition, private classes can be held.
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- Q: You say that Birth Works is not a method. Then what is it?
- A: Birth Works is a process that helps to develop a woman’s confidence in her own ability to give birth. We do not believe there is any one right way or method to give birth for each birth is unique unto itself and each woman needs to give birth in her own way, and be guided by her own body knowledge that already knows how to give birth.
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- Q: Do you teach breathing patterns?
- A: We do not teach breathing patterns as this stimulates the neocortex or thinking brain and becomes a "brake" for labor. Instead, we encourage slow, deep breathing, working with each contraction, riding it to the top like a wave and then resting as it comes to shore, as you rest and your baby rests.
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- Q: One of the differences I notice in your program is that you teach pelvic bodywork. What is it?
- A: Pelvic bodywork is an experiential technique that increases a person's awareness of how their own pelvis moves and opens in different labor positions. After experiencing pelvic bodywork a person can say, "Now I know how my pelvis moves!"; This is why we do not use other pelvises to demonstrate concepts - the learning is more powerful when it is one’s own body. Pelvic bodywork reinforces the concept that a woman’s body is designed for birth.
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- Q: I hear that Birth Works provides both an emotional and physical preparation for birth. Please explain.
- A: The course is designed so that information is presented in an emotional context to deepen the impact of learning. In other words, people in the classes are more likely to remember something they have experienced rather than something learned in a lecture format. We also explore feelings and emotions so people can become more aware of beliefs they have about birth and work to change ones as necessary.
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- Q: How is the Birth Works childbirth preparation program different from other methods?
- A: Birth Works is a process…not a method. We believe that each birth is unique and that every woman finds her right way to give birth. We believe the knowledge about how to give birth already exists within every woman and encourage her to find her own best way. The experiential approach that combines human values with birth preparation also makes Birth Works unique.
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- Q: Why do you include women with all birthing histories (new parents, women with previous vaginal and cesarean births) in the same class?
- A: In Birth Works, we believe the information and experiential techniques are applicable to any woman giving birth regardless of whether she is a new parent or birthing more than two children. What better way is there to learn about birth than through the sharing of stories that comes from women with a variety of experiences?
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- Q: What happens if I miss one or more weeks of a Birth Works class?
- The Birth Works classes were carefully designed so that each class is like the piece of a puzzle that comes together for completion at the end. It is best that participants missing any classes, check with their instructor to go over what they missed.
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- Q:Where can I take a Birth Works class?
- A: Classes are offered nationwide. Check the website for instructors in your area.
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- Q: Who are Birth Works instructors?
- A: Birth Works CCEs are women who have completed a thorough and comprehensive two-year certification program. They are highly trained and share a commitment to educate and empower birthing women.
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- Q:I received the list of requirements for the childbirth educator program and it says to study the manual before doing the exam. Are there any modules to complete and send in before doing the exam or does the written work consist of mainly the essays and book reports mentioned in the information package?
- A: The written work includes prerequisites of book reports, topic papers and VBAC study critiques which need to be completed and reviewed prior to your receiving the manual
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- Q: Is a birth experience one of the prerequisites for certification as a Birth Works childbirth educator?
- A: Yes. We require that you have either given birth yourself OR witnessed a birth of another woman by the time you finish your prerequisites. Then we ask you to reflect on how that experience has influenced your decision to become a childbirth educator in a short essay.
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- Q: How often is the childbirth educator program updated?
- A: The training manual is updated every 2-3 years.
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- Q: Could you tell me the specific requirements for recertification? And I understand you need to re-certify after one year. Is that correct?
- A: Your recertification is due one year after completing full certification, and is good for two years from then on. You would submit information on the Birth Works series that you taught during that period, plus comment on any challenges or concerns you faced during your teaching. You are required to either 1) Read a childbirth book and comment on it; or 2) Describe an innovative teaching technique you developed. You are also required to attend a continuing education event such as a workshop, conference, or even something birth-related offered in your community, and comment on it.
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- Q: Does Birth Works have any religious or political affiliation?
- A: No. Birth Works does not have any religious or political affiliations and strives to be open-minded and accepting of all people and their personal views and philosophies.
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- Q: Is the content of the manual quite applicable to Canadians?
- A: Most of the references are to North American studies and rely heavily on conclusions reported by the Cochrane Medical Database (which reviews all the literature in the English speaking world) and the book "A Guide to Effective Care in Childbirth" by Murray Enkin, who happens to be Canadian.
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- Q: What does the exam involve? Essays, Multiple choice? Is it open book? Where would I complete it?
- A: The comprehensive essay exam is an open book exam that you can complete in the comfort of your own home. It includes true/false questions, fill-in-the-blank questions, multiple choice and essay questions. Some of the answers will come directly from the manual, and others require you to think about how you would respond to certain scenarios.
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- Q: What does Birth Works offer in terms of continuing education?
- A: Birth Works holds national conferences and advanced training workshops. It also publishes a quarterly newsletter with articles of interest.
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- Q: Does Birth Works train doulas?
- A: Yes, Birth Works has a certification program for birth doulas and our doulas provide services to birthing women.
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- Q: Will my insurance company reimburse for Birth Works instruction? Do I need to be a certified childbirth educator in order to take insurance/Medicaid?
- A: Our instructors will provide necessary receipts and certificates upon class completion that you can submit to some insurance companies for partial or full coverage of fees. CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) codes are required and can often be submitted directly to the insurance for reimbursement, especially if they get a "prescription"from their obstetrical careprovider for these services. If you work for an obstetrical practice or hospital/clinic system, they may be able to submit for reimbursement as well.
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- Q: Do Birth Works instructors attend births?
- A: It is common for instructors to be asked to attend births. Check with your instructor regarding her availability and labor doula practice.
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- Q: I don't want natural childbirth. Is Birth Works for me?
- A: Birth Works instructors respect the right of every woman to make her own choices regarding her pregnancy and birth. Because Birth Works believes that birth is not a medical event, we work from a philosophy that includes the emotional, psychological and spiritual needs of birthing women. The Birth Works education process enables women to take responsibility for their births and make informed choices. Therefore, Birth Works classes are for anyone interested in preparing for their own births in an informed way.
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- Q: Who can I bring with me to classes?
- A: Pregnant women and their partners/husbands attend Birth Works Classes. Sometimes if a woman does not have a partner/husband, she can bring her doula or family member with her.
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- Q: In Birth Works, expectant parents are asked to take your classes within the first trimester or even before they are pregnant. If I do this, will I forget what I learned by the time I give birth?
- A: An essential part of the birth preparation is becoming aware of beliefs you may have about birth, beliefs that will influence all your decision making from choosing a birthplace and birth team, to how you plan to give birth. In addition, learning how to effectively communicate with your caregiver, and learning important information about nutrition are examples of why it is better to begin classes early and not wait until the seventh month of pregnancy. By the seventh month, when many other programs begin their classes, wouldn’t it be nice to know that you are happy with your caregiver, place of birth, and birth team? Then you can rest and enjoy the end of your pregnancy, getting ready for your baby’s birth. This information begins to be processed during Birth Works classes and won’t be forgotten- rather, it will enhance your birth experience.
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- Q: Does Birth Works teach international childbirth educator workshops?
- A: Birth Works is a distance training program in every respect other than the three-day workshop. This means all prerequisites can be done in the convenience of your home with only attendance at our three-day workshop required. These workshops can be conducted worldwide wherever there is a group of people who wish to participate and cover costs of travel and facilitator fees. Our workshop is open to all who may be interested, and not just those who have enrolled in our childbirth educator certification program, so it may be an ideal continuing education experience for doulas, other childbirth educators, maternity careproviders and anyone interested in supporting women as they pursue positive birth experiences.
For those deciding to go on for certification, the workshop is good for five years towards fulfilling the requirement of attending the childbirth educator workshop. You can request a copy of our guidelines from the office and also information on hosting a workshop. We would be happy to work with you in order to bring the Birth Works program to your country.
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- Q: How did Birth Works start?
- Cathy Daub, physical therapist, designed and taught the first Birth Works classes in New Jersey in 1981. The course was then developed into a teacher certification program as part of the ICAN organization for which Cathy was chairperson. She led the development of the Birth Works training manual at which time the Birth Works teacher certification program was completed. Birth Works became its own non-profit organization with its own Board of Directors and Advisors in 1994.
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- Q: Is Birth Works a program with full credentials?
- A: Birth Works is a program with certified educators both nationally and internationally. It is fully incorporated as a non-profit organization and Board of Advisors. Birth Works has published training manuals, and holds training workshops nationwide. When a trainee successfully completes the Birth Works program, she is a CCE (certified childbirth educator) for Birth Works.
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