Lamaze International is hosting an exciting learning event – The Virtual Education Symposium, on October 4, 2023. This event provides an opportunity to hear from experts in childbirth education on how you can enhance your childbirth education program activities to increase learner retention, improve perinatal outcomes and reduce inequities facing birthing people of the Global Majority. Over the next weeks leading up to the event, Connecting the Dots will present short interviews with the speakers, so that you can learn more about them, their upcoming presentation and some of their favorite resources. Today we meet Debbie Young, MSL, LCCE, CLC, ICCE, ICPD, IAT, who will be presenting "Repairing the Disconnect: Opening Childbirth Education Silos." Debbie offers solutions and suggestions for increasing collaboration and creating common resources amongst childbirth educators.

1. When did you first get interested in the importance of childbirth educators increasing their collaboration and information sharing as a means to improve maternal and newborn outcomes.

Over the course of my journey in serving families in the childbearing year, I’ve found that offering many resources and ideas from different sources and organizations made it easier for the parents to find the answers and ideas that fit their needs.  I started out in an organization that was very proprietary and almost secretive in their education.  I saw that due to that attitude, it caused them to be stuck in the past and it caused me to feel inept to serve the needs of my learners.  I decided to find an organization(s) that valued choice over possessiveness of material so I chose to move on and I have been involved in a few outstanding organizations since that time. 

2. What problem will perinatal professionals attending your session better be able to solve after their time with you?

Perinatal professionals will be able to grasp that information from a variety of sources and organizations will make us all better. When we can learn from and share ideas, the families and maternal child health have the biggest benefits.  There is no need to be proprietary when the lives of children and their parents may be affected. 

3. Based on your knowledge and experience, what do you believe is the biggest challenge facing people who are growing their families in 2023?

That women/birthing people’s bodies were created to sustain and give birth to babies, it is not a strictly medical event, rather a life event. So many do not understand that solid information about their pregnancy, birth, postpartum and breastfeeding experience could help them have a safer and more satisfying experience. Dr Google may not always be accurate.  Other pregnant/new families may not have evidence based information and consensus thinking may not serve some families well. 

4. How did you first come to be associated with Lamaze International and what has kept you engaged with the organization?

When I was moving away from my first childbirth education organization, I was a member of the board at DONA International and many of the other board members were connected with Lamaze also.  I decided to go that route too. The value I have from being a Lamaze member and certified educator include being able to show potential employers that I have the ability to learn, certify and associate with a well respected organization.  I also appreciate the information, like the website and magazine, including continuing education that makes me a better educator.

5. What is a resource (blog, website, book, podcast, influencer, etcetera) that you recently enjoyed learning from?

One of the most recent things I’ve been reading about is postpartum, family stories and what could have been better.  A very stirring blog I read on vacation was “My Postpartum Story” from Blair Blogs.

I feel like we need to do a better job at preparing parents for the realities of postpartum during our prenatal classes.  I think I have a new calling. 

Come hear Debbie Young share her wisdom and forward thinking vision at the Virtual Education Symposium by registering now. Look for our final presenter interview next week
 

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