More than three quarters of childbearing women turn to the internet for pregnancy and birth information. This article, "A Changing Landscape: Implications of Pregnant Women's Internet Use for Childbirth Educators" explores why women turn to the internet and how the internet may affect their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. In addition, it suggests strategies childbirth educators may use to meet this electronic challenge. This program expires 12/31/2009.

Today, in many situations, birth is viewed as a medical illness.  Research indicates that medical management has not improved birth outcomes and may cause increased risk and harm to the pregnant woman and her baby.  The goal of the position paper “Promoting, Protecting, and Supporting Normal Birth” is to explore, educate, and promote the six care practices presented by Lamaze International as the standards of care for normal birth. This program expires on 12/31/2009.

2007 JPE 16.2
[online quiz]
[Non-member Journal Access]

Based on article: "Finding the Path."

The overall goal of "What’s a Pregnant Woman to Eat? A Review of Current USDA Dietary Guidelines and MyPyramid" is to review the updated nutritional recommendations for pregnant women published by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Institute of Medicine. More specifically, the purpose of the article is to clarify the changes from past nutritional recommendations and identify problems that arise in interpreting the new guidelines. The author presents a summary of the nutritional recommendations, which may serve as a reference for practitioners when counseling pregnant women. This program expires on 12/31/2009.

The goal of "Sexuality in Women of Childbearing Age" is to discuss issues related to sexuality in women during pregnancy, as well as women who have a history of infertility. During pre-pregnancy and prenatal care, women may meet with a range of health care providers, including childbirth educators, lactation consultants, nurses, midwives and physicians. It is within the scope of practice of these clinicians to provide counseling and information that will be helpful to women as they experience sexual activity during these life events. This program expires on 3/31/2009.

The overall goal of "A Review of Biochemical and Ultrasound Markers in the Detection of Down Syndrome" is to increase perinatal educators’ understanding of Down syndrome, the most common genetic cause of mental retardation in newborn infants. More specifically, the purpose of the article is to inform perinatal educators about the etiology of Down syndrome, the population of women who are at risk for having an affected fetus, the second-trimester screening and diagnostic tests for Down syndrome, and the efficacy of these prenatal screening tests. The end goal is that educators will be better prepared to assist expectant women to understand the choices available to them and to help expectant women develop their own specific plan of care according to their special situations and needs. This program expires on 1/31/2009.

As the title of "Lamaze Parents Magazine: More Than a Giveaway" implies, Lamaze Parents magazine can provide a great deal of evidence-based information and teaching ideas for the childbirth educator to utilize instead of being regarded as a magazine for distribution only. This program expires on 11/30/2008.

"Childbirth Education for Multiple Pregnancy - PART 2: Intrapartum and Postpartum Considerations" – The childbirth educator can play a key role as a member of the health care team in providing multiple birth families with accurate and timely information needed to make a successful transition to parenthood. After completing the homestudy, the reader will be able to elate to clients who are expecting multiples that they may expect and prepare for a different course of labor and birth than those with a singleton pregnancy. This program expires 08/31/2008.

"Childbirth Education for Multiple Pregnancy – PART 1: Prenatal Considerations" – Childbirth educators need current information on the different approaches to care for a woman with a multiple pregnancy in order to meet the learning needs of these families. Since childbirth educators can play a major role in educating women and their families about what to expect during birth, including complications, the educators themselves must understand the full range of conditions that may complicate the pregnancy, labor, and birth experience of a multiple pregnancy. This knowledge may then benefit childbirth educators in developing teaching strategies to more effectively work with the families with a multiple pregnancy. This program expires 05/31/2008.

Based on plenary sessions presented by Ina May Gaskin and Debby Amis at the Lamaze International 2005 Annual Conference in Austin, TX, this single-track independent study explores the issues related to demand cesareans and examines research updates for childbirth educators. Approved for 3.0 Lamaze contact hours, this independent study includes two session recordings (CD) and a booklet that contains session handouts provided by the session speakers, post-test questions and a corresponding answer sheet. This independent study expires on 12/31/2008.

Lamaze International presents a two-track homestudy based on selected sessions presented at the Lamaze International 2004 Annual Conference in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Track 1: Making Lamaze Care Practices an Integral Feature of Your Childbirth Education Classes (7.5 Lamaze contact hours) explores how the Six Care Practices that Support Normal Birth can be integrated into the work of childbirth educators. Track 2: Rethinking Teaching Methods for a New Generation (6.0 Lamaze contact hours) examines creative teaching tips for adult learners as well as ways to build confidence in normal birth. Each track features CD session recordings and a booklet that contains session handouts provided by the session speakers, post-test questions and a corresponding answer sheet. Tracks may be purchased individuals or as a set of two. This independent study expires on 12/31/2008.

Both Tracks = 13.5

Track 1 = 7.5

Track 2 = 6.0

Both Tracks = $135

Track 1 = $85

Track 2 = $70

Both Tracks = $175

Track 1 = $105

Track 2 = $90