Liz is a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator who has been teaching for two-and-a-half years to expectant and new families at a local yoga and wellness center. Her business, Enlightened Mama, teaches childbirth preparation and breastfeeding workshops, as well as baby classes, including cloth diapering, babywearing, making baby food and natural baby care. Follow along with Liz’s fourth pregnancy as the featured “Great Expectations” blogger on Giving Birth with Confidence.
When teaching, what is your idea of perfect happiness?
I love a group of mamas-to-be and their labor support who ask questions, make an
effort to get to know each other, and laugh at all of my jokes.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery as a childbirth educator?
I struggle with groups who stare at me blankly, fall asleep or question my sources, even when I have documentation to back it up.
Where do you live? Where you would you like to live?
Lakeville, MN (one of the 'burbs of the Twin Cities); Norway, but I'd settle to move into the metro area of Minneapolis/St. Paul (if anyone EVER buys my house).
What are your most indulgent childbirth educator habits?
I am constantly buying birth DVDs, books and coffee.
Who do you consider to be a heroic educator?
My mother instilled a passion for mamas and birth, without even trying to. Her
work as a labor and delivery nurse and childbirth educator inspired me since I was a very young child. On a daily basis, my children humble me and teach me how to be a better human, mother and instructor.
What influences your teaching?
I am influenced by the trusting, intuitive wisdom of birth practices throughout history and the world, combined with popular images of birth today in this culture. I like to remind women of the fact that the physiological process of birth has remained unchanged over time and to trust in that process.
If you could have any teaching aid, what would it be?
I would love an adjustable bed with a squat bar for mamas to practice labor positions, although my arms are a decent substitute for the bar.
What is the quality you most admire in an educator?
The best educators have open minds, big hearts and a continual desire to learn.
What is your most marked characteristic in class?
I always try to present the information in a non-biased manner, which allows families
to make decisions based on what feels right for them without judgment from me.
What is your principal weakness as an educator?
I read too much into evaluations and always read the "What could you have done without?" responses before I read the "What was the most fantastic part of class?" ones.
What is your end goal as an educator?
I want mamas-to-be and their labor support to leave my classes feeling confident in themselves and their choices.
What is your favorite color?
I love green, especially chartreuse.
What word or expression do you most overuse?
"Like." I grew up in the 80's and 90's—I blame it on that.
Who are your favorite birth writers?
My favorite birth writers are Ina May Gaskin, Penny Simkin and Mark Sloan, although the list keeps growing!
Which contemporary birth practices do you most despise?
I loathe mamas pushing on their backs "to get the baby under the pubic bone," and epidurals used as an intervention.
What are your favorite names?
I love Chris, Giacomo, Gianna, and Lucia (my fabulous birth-loving hubby and incredible children).
Which natural gift would you most like to possess?
I would love to be able to draw—I'm a terrible artist.
What is your motto?
"Nurture Your Mind, Nurture Your Child," that's the Enlightened Mama (my doula & education business) slogan. I feel that if people are truly educated about their choices, they will have the confidence to make ones that feel right for themselves and their families.
How do you use Lamaze resources to support you as an educator?
I give all of my students a copy of The Official Lamaze Guide, use some of the informational handouts from the Web site, refer all of them to the weekly e-mail updates, "Building Your Confidence, Week-By-Week," and encourage them to check out the Web site. I have a link to both of those on my own Web site, along with the Healthy Birth Practices video clips. I am also now getting involved in the Lamaze social networking scene, including the new Giving Birth with Confidence blog and online community.
How can Lamaze members receive maximum value from Lamaze?
I think that staying current with Lamaze's growing library of online resources and the Cochrane database is vital. I also think that connecting with other members, talking about teaching strategies, and sharing tips, tools, and trials with one another is quite helpful.