I have one - you can learn more about it at Liz's site and she would probably appreciate it if you ordered directly from her - you can hear a practice contraction and download the teaching tips etc. http://www.birthzone.com/laborsimulator.htm

Anybody have a labor simulator? I am looking at one available through Childbirth Graphics. http://www.childbirthgraphics.com/storefro...ocess_simple_search

It seems like it might be a useful tool -- regardless of the time of the simulation, what appeals to me is the timing of the "contractions," which, in this day and age, would be hard to simulate (since we don't really do tapes so much).

Anyway, looking for thoughts.

Stacie

Hi Ladies! I found a website that will be broadcasting a live cesarean birth on March 13th. Its a live surgery broadcast site! Check it out: http://www.or-live.com/index.cfm?googleID=shm_1891

Another thought--maybe the formula company sent him a massive amount of the bags and he desperately wants to get rid of them any way possible.

Oh Colette!!!! I have had problems non stop with our hospital here. Its only recently that they've taken the formula bags out of their education classes (every cb student would get one). I live in the rapidly growing once small town of Salisbury Maryland and I've been confronted on every level with lack of breastfeeding support. The hospital's lactation consultant (theres only one hospital and one consultant) says that her biggest battle is actually the pediatricians and in my own breastfeeding experience I completely believe her. I wonder if, like with pharmaceutical companies, doctors get any kind of kick back for recommending specific formulas? I'm sure everyone will say that its illegal and of course that doesn't happen...... but I just wonder. I like Teri's idea too, focusing on the positive support he gives your classes but emphasizing your need to encourage breastfeeding. If he's an advocate of breastfeeding, I'm sure he'd sing your praises to hear how committed you are.

On a sidenote, I feel your pain on the dreaded phone calls from the hospital. I'm no longer welcome to be involved with the hospital's education department here because a sidebar conversation I had with a pregnant couple led to them leaving their OB for a midwife. Its a hard line to walk remaining politically correct, but I have to draw my own personal line at the evidence based truth.

You are an inspiration for staying true to your own values and sense of obligation to deliver the most supported research!

Good luck Collette! I wanted to make sure that everyone knows about the website www.banthebags.org Lots of good information about this initiative to alleviate having hospitals market for formula companies.

That is the issue...this hospital still gives out formula discharge bags (but will remove the formula samples...not recognizing that it still makes a big difference when they get a bag from the healthcare team with a formula name tag) this hospital is not willing to give up that practice quite yet ($). They (including the nurses) are all of the mind set that they are providing "choice" to parents...GRRRR. Perhaps this is also a good time to bring up them financing a breastfeeding dishcharge bag (which Berkshire Nursing Families has in the works...just need $ for the actual bag). So I don't know that they will back me up. The director of the lactation program is TOTALLY behind me...I think she might be a bit more upset about it than I am (if you can imagine). I was contemplating talking to the VP of patient services (my boss) first to see where she stood.�D;
�D;
I love your idea...I think I may do that...perhaps with Hershey kisses (little silver nipple awards...LOL). �D;
 �D;
Thanks for your quick feed back. On another note...new class series starts tonight and I am being asked to "show the nurses my class" I have one observing this series...not sure how I feel about that yet. I get into trouble without them there what are they going to do when they hear it for themselves?! (delayed cord clamping is the current hot topic w/ the hospital ..they ask me not to talk about it...as well as circumcision, vaccinations, homebirth, informed consent, etc.) I never imagined that being a childbirth educator would get me into so much trouble! LOL! Every time the phone rings & its the hospital I take a deep breath and wonder...what is it now that they don't like? Be assured...I keep on the path...I have told them that I can teach elsewhere, but I have to be true to the clients. &#EF;&#BB;&#BF; &#EF;&#BB;&#BF; &#EF;&#BB;&#BF; �D; �D;
THanks again.�D;
 �D;
Colette L. Baran, CLC, LCCE, CHBE, CD(CBI)�D;
www.mybirthguru.com �D;
Berkshire Nursing Families�D;
(413)743-5338�D;
Berkshire North WIC

Wow Collette - how loud was the "thunk" when your jaw hit the floor? How awkward to get blind sided. I would copy the evidence, write him a nice thank you note for coming and his support of breatfeeding moms in he past and then add a line about how these can not be handed out in cb class and ask him to consider not handing them out to his patients. I find confronting people in situations like this is best done with honey - in this case maybe homemade cookies....
Does the hospital have a policy to support you?

Hi everyone. So I have a bit of an issue and thought perhaps you all would have some insight for me. I teach classes at my local hospital but I also work at that same hospital as a lactation counselor. I had class the other night which there was a guest speaker...a local pediatrician (whom we have had before and in the past has been very bf friendly). He came late and upon his arrival he takes out all these formula bags and starts passing them out!! I was horrified...but didn't know what to do...embarrass him in front of everyone and make working relations strained? No, I said nothing. He asked me in front of the class at the end if I would like to distribute the rest to anyone...to which I replied that I couldn't do that under the rules of my certification.

I feel like the issue needs to be addressed...I need to make sure that this never happens again...but I want to do so in a way that will educate and not put a divide between drs and lactation/education. A part of me is a bit excited that he did this because it opens the door for education on the research demonstrating the dangers of that practice.

Any suggestions on how I should proceed?

Thanks!!
Colette

I feel you on the more time being more knowledge. My situation is I have a newborn and a toddler. Makes for fun days!!! If I get to read anything it usually has more to do with tweetle beetles than childbirth!

Rachel, I tried, and tried, and tried. Our area is pretty oversaturated with childbirth educators, although there is only one LCCE, and she is from the dark ages of the organization, and I mean that in only the nicest ways possible.

I couldn't fill classes. I did get many referrals for families experiencing bedrest. I also set up childbirth education as a separate thing for my doula clients. I tracked all of those hours for the exam.

In October, I just got lucky, and a friend who was teaching for a local midwives office was finished and she wanted out. I expressed my MAJOR interest in the project, and I was asked to be the new teacher! I even sent un my CV to get the job, although I know all those midwives well -- I wanted it all to be nothing but professional. Along with my CV, I sent them current Lamaze info, because they had no idea about the changes from a method to a philosophy.

Just keep trying, and get your name out there! Go to Perinatal Council meetings, breastfeeding coalition meetings, get to know you LLL Leaders, IBCLCs, public health nurses, CPSP program directors (if that isn't just a California thing?), etc. Try to find ways to connect with people who work with pregnant families. Check out your local battered woman's shelter -- I contacted mine and asked if they ever had women who needed classes, and they said yes! They were happy to have me help. Also, if you have a teen-parent class or program at a local school, I went to mine and chatted with the gals, and once in a while I would come with a topic prepared by the teacher's request. Look for community outreach events, like we have a community baby shower where everyone involved in baby/pregnancy things can have a booth. Toys R Us and Babies R Us -- even Eal-Mart, often have special baby things where professionals can come and talk to expectant parents.

Good luck!

Angela, I was also planning to sit the exam in October, but I couldn't get it all together. I am sitting this April. One thing I am happy about: I teach this stuff all the time, weekly. If we teach true Lamaze, like from the blue binder and the Essential Guide, that's all the stuff that will be on the test. So I feel really ready for the test. More time feels like more knowledge for me.

Hello Ladies,
I just became certified this past October and I just finished my first series of classes by myself. I did private class for this couple.I still can't believe that I am a certified lamaze teacher. Driving to their house for the first time i became nervous, but I had to keep reminding my self that I am certified that I have prepared for this for a long time, That I know what I am doing. So tonight was our last class, and I feel a little sad that its over, I don't have another class sceduled, I have a question to you ladies how do you market yourself????? thanks for listening
Rachel
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Hello ladies!

I was curious to see where everyone from the April 2007 DC seminar is in their process. I saw Noelene is taking her exam next month. Hooray!!! I've been hitting some brick walls, so I'm not sitting for my exam until October. I've got one more birth and a lot of reading left. Its truly been a journey getting this far, but I'm looking forward to these last few steps. Teri and Ann keep me on track quite well!!!

Is anyone else here completely fixated on pregnant bellies? I think they may be my favorite thing in the world, except my own two little bundles of joy. I love them!

Angela :)

You should be set to go!! I don't think you need to get ahold of Lamaze - just mail it in!

It does, indeed, have my name on it :).

Thanks Teri.

Stacie
who is still trying to get ahold of Lamaze -- maybe she doesn't have to now?

Does it have your name on it? If yes, you are set! Experienced path should be fine.... I am on the road so I can't remember but if you have sent me your written eval of the person who observed you teaching, you can also go on the new track....let me know.