Welcome to Lamaze Training!
Thank you for registering for our Lamaze Childbirth Educator Seminar. We look forward to meeting you in person and helping you achieve your goals with Lamaze certification.
Here you will find some information that will help you prepare for your seminar. Please save this link.
Here you will find some information that will help you prepare for your seminar. Please save this link.
Pre-Seminar Homework
- Purchase and read “Giving Birth with Confidence: The Official Lamaze Guide”
- Purchase items needed for seminar:
- Sketch book (without lines)
- Items to color with (markers, colored pencils or pens, etc)
- A pack of inexpensive watercolor paints with paint brush
- A 2-inch, 3 ring binder
- A notebook for note taking
- Begin working on the online component of this seminar. You can access the online course here. This is a private link and you may not share this course with others. The content is currently being updated for 2019 so some modules are still being updated.
- Interview a person over age 65 (preferably over age 75 – older is better for this exercise) about their birthing experience. Just listen to them tell their story and see if you hear any of the Six Healthy Birth Practices
Lamaze Website
Take some time to visit the Lamaze website.
You should create a Non-Member account for yourself (using an email address that you would like Lamaze to communicate with you). The Lamaze website is FULL of valuable information, so please give yourself some time to become familiar.
Explore the links and sections.
I suggest subscribing to the Lamaze Blog: Connecting the Dots (formerly Science & Sensibility).
This is a BIG website – so give yourself plenty of time to look through all links.
Once you complete the seminar, Lamaze will upgrade your Non-Member account to a “Student Membership”.
Please, DO NOT PAY FOR A MEMBERSHIP. Your membership fee is already included in the cost of this seminar.
Take some time to visit the Lamaze website.
You should create a Non-Member account for yourself (using an email address that you would like Lamaze to communicate with you). The Lamaze website is FULL of valuable information, so please give yourself some time to become familiar.
Explore the links and sections.
I suggest subscribing to the Lamaze Blog: Connecting the Dots (formerly Science & Sensibility).
This is a BIG website – so give yourself plenty of time to look through all links.
Once you complete the seminar, Lamaze will upgrade your Non-Member account to a “Student Membership”.
Please, DO NOT PAY FOR A MEMBERSHIP. Your membership fee is already included in the cost of this seminar.
6 Health Birth Practices – The Foundation of Lamaze
The majority of our seminar will focus on the Lamaze 6 Healthy Birth Practices (which are also very similar to ACOG’s 2014 consensus for preventing the primary cesarean section). You should take some time to familiarize yourself with this list prior to seminar. We will go into much more detail during our time together, but it is very helpful to have the basic idea in place. I highly recommend memorizing this list now.
The link to the 6 Healthy Birth Practices can be found here:
https://www.lamaze.org/childbirth-practices
Healthy Birth Practice 1: Let labor begin on its own
Healthy Birth Practice 2: Have freedom of movement in labor
Healthy Birth Practice 3: Bring a loved one, friend or doula for continuous support
Healthy Birth Practice 4: Avoid interventions that are not medically necessary
Healthy Birth Practice 5: Upright and spontaneous pushing
Healthy Birth Practice 6: Keep mother and baby together
The majority of our seminar will focus on the Lamaze 6 Healthy Birth Practices (which are also very similar to ACOG’s 2014 consensus for preventing the primary cesarean section). You should take some time to familiarize yourself with this list prior to seminar. We will go into much more detail during our time together, but it is very helpful to have the basic idea in place. I highly recommend memorizing this list now.
The link to the 6 Healthy Birth Practices can be found here:
https://www.lamaze.org/childbirth-practices
Healthy Birth Practice 1: Let labor begin on its own
Healthy Birth Practice 2: Have freedom of movement in labor
Healthy Birth Practice 3: Bring a loved one, friend or doula for continuous support
Healthy Birth Practice 4: Avoid interventions that are not medically necessary
Healthy Birth Practice 5: Upright and spontaneous pushing
Healthy Birth Practice 6: Keep mother and baby together
Lamaze Learning Guide & Tool Kit
The Lamaze Learning Guide is your study guide to prepare for the Lamaze Certification exam.
It is not necessary to purchase this before the seminar. However, the earlier your purchase this, the earlier you can begin studying for the exam (you can even begin right now before the seminar!!). It is required to be purchased before you take the exam.
The Lamaze Tool Kit has everything you’ll need to begin teaching your own Lamaze classes. You can begin teaching childbirth classes immediately (or as soon as you feel ready).
YOU DO NOT NEED TO PURCHASE A MEMBERSHIP TO BUY THE LEARNING GUIDE & TOOL KIT!
The Learning Guide & Tool Kit are sold together. They are delivered to you as two .PDF files. You may print them off if you prefer, but please know they are each hundreds of pages long and printing will be very expensive (well over $40 for each).
Again, You DO NOT need to purchase this before the seminar.
$225 purchased through the Lamaze website.
The Lamaze Learning Guide is your study guide to prepare for the Lamaze Certification exam.
It is not necessary to purchase this before the seminar. However, the earlier your purchase this, the earlier you can begin studying for the exam (you can even begin right now before the seminar!!). It is required to be purchased before you take the exam.
The Lamaze Tool Kit has everything you’ll need to begin teaching your own Lamaze classes. You can begin teaching childbirth classes immediately (or as soon as you feel ready).
YOU DO NOT NEED TO PURCHASE A MEMBERSHIP TO BUY THE LEARNING GUIDE & TOOL KIT!
The Learning Guide & Tool Kit are sold together. They are delivered to you as two .PDF files. You may print them off if you prefer, but please know they are each hundreds of pages long and printing will be very expensive (well over $40 for each).
Again, You DO NOT need to purchase this before the seminar.
$225 purchased through the Lamaze website.
The Lamaze Certification Exam
You must purchase the Lamaze Learning Guide to register the Lamaze Certification Exam.
You will prepare for the certification exam by:
Having L&D nursing experience is not enough to pass this exam. Absolutely DO NOT rely on your current knowledge and experience as your way to prepare for the exam. There is NO SHORTCUT here.
Past participants (who include professors of nursing, nurse managers, nurse educators, physicians, doulas, current childbirth educators, midwives, IBCLCs, psychologists, and experienced nurses) recommend a good 2-3 months of studying from the Learning Guide and reading before taking the exam.
You must purchase the Lamaze Learning Guide to register the Lamaze Certification Exam.
You will prepare for the certification exam by:
- Completing the modules in the Lamaze Learning Guide
- Completing all required reading
- Complete the online learning modules from Family Trees
- Studying the seminar notes
- Reviewing articles on Cochrane database (through your student membership on the Lamaze website)
Having L&D nursing experience is not enough to pass this exam. Absolutely DO NOT rely on your current knowledge and experience as your way to prepare for the exam. There is NO SHORTCUT here.
Past participants (who include professors of nursing, nurse managers, nurse educators, physicians, doulas, current childbirth educators, midwives, IBCLCs, psychologists, and experienced nurses) recommend a good 2-3 months of studying from the Learning Guide and reading before taking the exam.
Evidence Based Birth Higher Education Membership
Family Trees Lamaze participants have the unique opportunity to join Evidence Based Birth Higher Ed Academy. This is not required, but highly recommended.
If you're not familiar with Evidence Based Birth, please visit the website.
The content included in these courses is meant for students who are preparing for a professional career in the childbirth field and is extremely valuable. If you’d like to join, please send an email and you will receive an invoice to pay. Cost is $60, includes 21 additional hours of continuing education, and gives you a six-month access to the following EBB courses:
Breastfeeding
Cesarean Rates
Dads and Support Persons
Doulas
Evidence Based Maternity Care
Homebirth and Birth Centers
How to Read a Research Paper
Informed Consent
L&D Nurses
Models of Care
Newborn Procedures
Pain Management
Physiology of Birth
Protecting the Perineum
Racial Disparities
VBAC
Advanced Courses include the following topics and contact hours:
Big Babies (3)
Due Dates (3)
Evidence Based Care (6)
Failure to Progress (2)
Hospital Bans (2)
PROM, GBS, Newborn (3)
Vitamin K (2)
If you would like to register for EBB Higher Ed, please email Wendy@familytreesbirthplace.com
Family Trees Lamaze participants have the unique opportunity to join Evidence Based Birth Higher Ed Academy. This is not required, but highly recommended.
If you're not familiar with Evidence Based Birth, please visit the website.
The content included in these courses is meant for students who are preparing for a professional career in the childbirth field and is extremely valuable. If you’d like to join, please send an email and you will receive an invoice to pay. Cost is $60, includes 21 additional hours of continuing education, and gives you a six-month access to the following EBB courses:
Breastfeeding
Cesarean Rates
Dads and Support Persons
Doulas
Evidence Based Maternity Care
Homebirth and Birth Centers
How to Read a Research Paper
Informed Consent
L&D Nurses
Models of Care
Newborn Procedures
Pain Management
Physiology of Birth
Protecting the Perineum
Racial Disparities
VBAC
Advanced Courses include the following topics and contact hours:
Big Babies (3)
Due Dates (3)
Evidence Based Care (6)
Failure to Progress (2)
Hospital Bans (2)
PROM, GBS, Newborn (3)
Vitamin K (2)
If you would like to register for EBB Higher Ed, please email Wendy@familytreesbirthplace.com
Required Reading List
Please begin to read from the recommended reading list prior to attending seminar. Once seminar is complete, you are required to read the remaining books. You are required to read “Giving Birth with Confidence: The Official Lamaze Guide” (updated in March, 2017) before seminar. This will give you a great overview before we begin. You may purchase the actual book(s) or you may buy the e-book version – this is completely up to you.
1. Goer, Henci & Romano, Amy. (2012). Optimal care in childbirth. Seattle, WA: Classic Day.
2. Lothian, Judith & DeVries, Charlotte. (2010, second edition). The official Lamaze guide – Giving birth with confidence. New York, NY: Meadowbrook Press. OR the updated edition “Giving Birth With Confidence”, March 2017.
3. Simkin, Penny, Bolding, April, Keppler, Ann, Durham, Janelle, & Whalley, Janet. (2010*, fourth edition). Pregnancy, childbirth, and the newborn. New York, NY: Meadowbrook Press. There is also a companion website to this book: www.PCNGuide.com.*
4. One of the following breastfeeding books:
a. La Leche League. (2010). Womanly art of breastfeeding. Schaumburg, IL: La Leche League.
b. Mohrbacher, N. & Kendall-Tacket, K. (2010). Breastfeeding made simple. Oakland, CA: NewHarbinger Publications.
c. Newman, J. & Pitman, T. (2014). Jack Newman’s Guide to breastfeeding. London, UK: Pinter &Martin.
Please begin to read from the recommended reading list prior to attending seminar. Once seminar is complete, you are required to read the remaining books. You are required to read “Giving Birth with Confidence: The Official Lamaze Guide” (updated in March, 2017) before seminar. This will give you a great overview before we begin. You may purchase the actual book(s) or you may buy the e-book version – this is completely up to you.
1. Goer, Henci & Romano, Amy. (2012). Optimal care in childbirth. Seattle, WA: Classic Day.
2. Lothian, Judith & DeVries, Charlotte. (2010, second edition). The official Lamaze guide – Giving birth with confidence. New York, NY: Meadowbrook Press. OR the updated edition “Giving Birth With Confidence”, March 2017.
3. Simkin, Penny, Bolding, April, Keppler, Ann, Durham, Janelle, & Whalley, Janet. (2010*, fourth edition). Pregnancy, childbirth, and the newborn. New York, NY: Meadowbrook Press. There is also a companion website to this book: www.PCNGuide.com.*
4. One of the following breastfeeding books:
a. La Leche League. (2010). Womanly art of breastfeeding. Schaumburg, IL: La Leche League.
b. Mohrbacher, N. & Kendall-Tacket, K. (2010). Breastfeeding made simple. Oakland, CA: NewHarbinger Publications.
c. Newman, J. & Pitman, T. (2014). Jack Newman’s Guide to breastfeeding. London, UK: Pinter &Martin.
Prepare to Practice Teach
On our final seminar day, each participant will teach a 5-10 minute presentation on one of the 6 Healthy Birth Practices. Whenever possible, I like to give you the opportunity to choose which of the 6 Healthy Birth Practices you would like to teach, but this sometimes depends on the size of our group and making sure we get an equal distribution of topics. If you feel very strongly about wanting to teach one of the 6 Healthy Birth Practices, please email me and let me know.
Over the course of the seminar, we will discuss teaching methods and ideas for teaching adult learners. Your presentation will be an opportunity for you to practice teaching a topic to a (pretend) childbirth class. You’ll find some ideas on the Lamaze International website and in the Tool Kit (if you’ve purchased your Learning Guide and Tool Kit), but also use other resources (Pinterest often has some great ideas, and Google has been a friend to me many times!).
This is a fun time – not one to stress over. Create a game, an activity, something TO DO.
Your teaching should NOT be a lecture-type presentation.
On our final seminar day, each participant will teach a 5-10 minute presentation on one of the 6 Healthy Birth Practices. Whenever possible, I like to give you the opportunity to choose which of the 6 Healthy Birth Practices you would like to teach, but this sometimes depends on the size of our group and making sure we get an equal distribution of topics. If you feel very strongly about wanting to teach one of the 6 Healthy Birth Practices, please email me and let me know.
Over the course of the seminar, we will discuss teaching methods and ideas for teaching adult learners. Your presentation will be an opportunity for you to practice teaching a topic to a (pretend) childbirth class. You’ll find some ideas on the Lamaze International website and in the Tool Kit (if you’ve purchased your Learning Guide and Tool Kit), but also use other resources (Pinterest often has some great ideas, and Google has been a friend to me many times!).
This is a fun time – not one to stress over. Create a game, an activity, something TO DO.
Your teaching should NOT be a lecture-type presentation.
What to Bring to Seminar
Please bring your open mind, your heart for helping childbearing families have safe, respectful, and meaningful birth experiences, and your desire for continuous learning.
Please purchase a sketch book and items to draw/color (markers, colored pencils, colored ink pens – whatever you prefer) and a pack of inexpensive watercolor paints. We will have several enjoyable art activities, so buy yourself something you will really appreciate using. This will become a special book for you throughout your career. You may also consider bringing a baby doll or stuffed animal (to use as models during teaching), as well as anything comfortable to sit on (such a pillow, yoga mat, birth ball, floor chair) in case you want options for changing seating positions during our time together.
Please dress comfortably. We will be sitting for long periods, on the floor doing comfort techniques, and playing games. Please feel free to bring anything else that makes you comfortable for long days of learning.
Bring drinks and snacks for yourself (and feel free to bring some to share if you’d like). Please let us know if you have any food allergies. Bring money for lunch (or pack yourself lunch). We will have meal breaks, but they are limited in time.
If you have a laptop/ipad/tablet please bring this with you. We will be accessing the internet frequently, and it would be helpful for you to start a Lamaze folder in your Favorites toolbar as well as a Lamaze folder in your Documents.
Notebook, pen/pencil for taking notes.
Learning Guide and Tool Kit (only if you’ve purchased these) – these are optional for seminar and are NOT required for the seminar.
Your copy of “Giving Birth with Confidence: The Official Lamaze Guide 2017”. You will need this book to reference things as we go along. Plus, it will help you prepare for your teaching.
Teaching aids that you will need for your teaching presentation on day three. No need to spend a lot of money on these – many can be made or even purchased at a Dollar Store. You might even wait until the seminar to decide what you want to teach.
Please bring your brainstorming ideas. I am a believer in the saying “it takes a village”, and I love being able to learn from others. I have never gone to a seminar and not walked away learning something from the participants. I am always grateful for that, and I encourage you to continue to share your ideas with others.
Please bring your open mind, your heart for helping childbearing families have safe, respectful, and meaningful birth experiences, and your desire for continuous learning.
Please purchase a sketch book and items to draw/color (markers, colored pencils, colored ink pens – whatever you prefer) and a pack of inexpensive watercolor paints. We will have several enjoyable art activities, so buy yourself something you will really appreciate using. This will become a special book for you throughout your career. You may also consider bringing a baby doll or stuffed animal (to use as models during teaching), as well as anything comfortable to sit on (such a pillow, yoga mat, birth ball, floor chair) in case you want options for changing seating positions during our time together.
Please dress comfortably. We will be sitting for long periods, on the floor doing comfort techniques, and playing games. Please feel free to bring anything else that makes you comfortable for long days of learning.
Bring drinks and snacks for yourself (and feel free to bring some to share if you’d like). Please let us know if you have any food allergies. Bring money for lunch (or pack yourself lunch). We will have meal breaks, but they are limited in time.
If you have a laptop/ipad/tablet please bring this with you. We will be accessing the internet frequently, and it would be helpful for you to start a Lamaze folder in your Favorites toolbar as well as a Lamaze folder in your Documents.
Notebook, pen/pencil for taking notes.
Learning Guide and Tool Kit (only if you’ve purchased these) – these are optional for seminar and are NOT required for the seminar.
Your copy of “Giving Birth with Confidence: The Official Lamaze Guide 2017”. You will need this book to reference things as we go along. Plus, it will help you prepare for your teaching.
Teaching aids that you will need for your teaching presentation on day three. No need to spend a lot of money on these – many can be made or even purchased at a Dollar Store. You might even wait until the seminar to decide what you want to teach.
Please bring your brainstorming ideas. I am a believer in the saying “it takes a village”, and I love being able to learn from others. I have never gone to a seminar and not walked away learning something from the participants. I am always grateful for that, and I encourage you to continue to share your ideas with others.
What can I do for you?
Please let me know if I can help you with anything.
If you have any questions regarding our seminar, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I am here to help you through your entire certification process.
I am looking forward to seeing you soon!
If you have any colleagues or friends who might be interested joining this seminar, please feel free to share the information. There is a $50 per person discount for groups of four - so if you have three others who decide to join, you'll all receive the discount (and you'll receive a $50 refund!).
Warmly,
Wendy Trees Shiffer, MS, FACCE, LCCE
(cell) 717-380-1393 (feel free to call or text - know that I am Eastern Standard Time Zone)
Wendy@familytreesbirthplace.com
Please let me know if I can help you with anything.
If you have any questions regarding our seminar, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I am here to help you through your entire certification process.
I am looking forward to seeing you soon!
If you have any colleagues or friends who might be interested joining this seminar, please feel free to share the information. There is a $50 per person discount for groups of four - so if you have three others who decide to join, you'll all receive the discount (and you'll receive a $50 refund!).
Warmly,
Wendy Trees Shiffer, MS, FACCE, LCCE
(cell) 717-380-1393 (feel free to call or text - know that I am Eastern Standard Time Zone)
Wendy@familytreesbirthplace.com