This month’s Brilliant Activities for Birth Educators post provides as a source of class activities that educators can use during this time of crisis and upheaval from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as classes move online and virtual.  You can find the entire collated collection of all of the Brilliant Activities for Birth Educators series here for your use.

Introduction

Families worldwide are facing new and unforeseen challenges as they prepare to birth during this world-wide epidemic.  Circumstances are changing daily, if not hourly in locations around the world.  Many childbirth and parenting programs are now being presented in a virtual format to families.  Educators have been scrambling to convert activities to an online format that builds confidence and prepares families effectively for their labor, birth and early parenting time ahead.

Here are three ideas that you can use in your virtual classes.

Events of Late Pregnancy

Converting this activity to a virtual one was a great time for both me and the class.  I assigned each family to one of four categories: fetus, pregnant person, uterus or placenta and membranes and briefly discussed the changes that happen.  They also had a copy of the events of late pregnancy graphic (see link above). I then asked them to create a short poem that captures what they believe are the important changes and report back to the class.  The results were amazing, made everyone laugh and appreciate all that was happening in the last weeks and days of pregnancy. After presenting them to each other, they shared them in their online Google Classroom for prosperity.

Here are some examples my recent class created.

The Journey of the Placenta & Membranes

Morning sail
Waves begin to grow larger and larger
Adrenalin kicks in
Calm seas ahead
Out of nowhere
We brace for the RED tidal wave

A Tale of the Uterus

Ms. Braxton-Hicks got high on some oxy,
her condition didn't progress,
but then ripened into a bloody show.
Finally progressing, she expulsed.

Baby

Instinct nurturing chemistry
Intuition growing Into position
Boom – here I come!

Haiku for My Placenta

Armor for fetus
Changing hormones in labor
Farewell, my good friend!

Dilation and effacement demonstration

Many of you are already familiar with the balloon and the ping pong ball model that so beautifully demonstrates effacement and dilation.  This amazing activity was created by Teri Shilling, Passion for Birth.  I do that activity in class with all participants having their own balloons and ping pong ball.  Liz Chalmers, BirthZone, recorded a video of this demo and shared on YouTube.  If you are not able to provide actual props to families (I mail them a package of class goodies) you can discuss the concepts and show the video.  It is short and effective and the families love it.

Six ways to progress

I have simply modified this fun drawing activity that helps families understand the changes the cervix and the baby undergo in the days before and during labor.  Each person does the drawings at home and then holds up their creations for the camera as we work through all the six changes.  Just as effective as when we do it in person.

Conclusion

How have you modified your classroom activities for your virtual or online presentations?  Share in the comments below or send me an email and I can consider using it in a future Brilliant Activities for Birth Educators post.  Stay safe and stay healthy!

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