Research and resources for perinatal professionals.
August 13, 2020 | by: Molly Giammarco, MPP
In partnership with the Congressional Black Maternal Health Caucus (BMHC), Lamaze hosted a webinar, Evidence-Based Childbirth Education: A Critical Strategy in Improving Birth Outcomes & Reducing Maternal Health Disparities, in July to discuss the growing role childbirth educators have in reducing maternal-health disparities. The webinar featured U.S. Representatives Alma Adams (North Carolina) and Lauren Underwood (Illinois), BMHC Co-Chairs; Tara Owens Schuler, M.Ed., LCCE, FACCE, Lamaze Diversity + Outreach Committee Chair; and Melissa Harley, AdvCD/BDT(DONA), LCCE, CLC, FACCE, DONA International President.
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August 11, 2020 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) just launched a new campaign called HEAR Her. The mission of this new effort is to reduce the number of people who die during pregnancy or the first year after giving birth, currently estimated at over 700 individuals annually in the United States. Research indicates that over 60 percent of those deaths are preventable. Black and Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) disproportionately die at higher rates than their white peers. Often, Black and Indigenous parents’ concerns are disregarded, minimized or ignored and situations that could be addressed are left untreated until it becomes a matter of life and death.
August 06, 2020 | by: Andrea Lythgoe, LCCE
The first thing you should do when you start planning a new class offering or updating a previous one is to take some time and think about what you have to work with, so that any plans you make will work well.
August 04, 2020 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, CD/BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE
A childbirth educator is responsible for providing families with evidence based information on lactation and infant feeding. Many people assume that this information is collated in the “last class” of a series, or the last topic of an abbreviated learning session. The reality is that teaching expectant families about the importance of human milk for their newborns and how to meet any challenges that may arise is not a topic for the end of the learning experience. It is something that should be woven through the entire learning experience from the first moments that a family begins to participate in a perinatal learning opportunity.
July 30, 2020 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, CD/BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE
There is something that all of us can do that can support Black doulas and midwives as they train to serve families. It is called the Doula Book Project. The concept is simple, easy to participate in and supports Black perinatal professionals. Black doulas and midwives make a “wish list” on Amazon of the books they need in order to continue their training. Once they have created their list, they can be added to the Doula Book Project website. Individuals who would like to support the program simply choose a doula or midwife, peruse their public Amazon wish list and purchase the book(s) that are need, which get shipped to the individual promptly. Simple, easy and effective.
July 08, 2020 | by: Andrea Lythgoe, LCCE
ADDIE is a five step process for designing trainings and education that has been used in other settings for many years. The system can also be used to help you develop and refine your childbirth classes. When ADDIE was first developed, it was created more as a “waterfall” style method, each step coming in turn. When you are initially developing your classes, this can be a good way of thinking about it, especially if you plan on revisiting the waterfall process 2 or more times as you adjust and revise to incorporate the feedback from the evaluations. This process can work well for one time events as well, like a training or conference.
July 02, 2020 | by: Molly Giammarco, MPP
Lamaze International is pleased to announce its coordination with the Congressional Black Maternal Health Caucus (BMHC) to present a webinar, Evidence-Based Childbirth Education: A Critical Strategy to Improve Birth Outcomes and Reduce Maternal Health Disparities. The webinar will take place on Thursday, July 23, 2020, at 11am CDT/12pm EDT and is free to all. All Lamaze members, parents, supporters, and Congressional staffers are welcome to attend.
June 30, 2020 | by: Mallory Emerson, LCCE
Many things have changed during life in a pandemic. While connection with my husband and two kids has been at an all-time high the last few months, I have been missing the in-person connection with both my doula clients and families in my childbirth classes. For those families, it also seems that the support of their loved ones during such an important transition as welcoming a baby is very missed. While I have been diligent and thorough about the resources and referrals I share in my virtual classes, I wanted to offer more opportunities for families to connect with me and each other during this challenging time.
To support that goal, I began offering twice-monthly “Drop-in Coffee Chats” for current and past doula clients as well as parents from my recent childbirth classes and new parent support groups I volunteer with through a popular, local organization, Program for Early Parent Support (PEPS). I sent an email to everyone with a recurring Zoom link and a brief description of the purpose of the virtual get-together.
June 25, 2020 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE
There is a unique, free opportunity to listen to and learn from Ibram X. Kendi, one of America’s remarkable and leading historians and a strong Black voice helping to guide America toward becoming antiracist. Kendi is the author of many books that have topped The New York Times bestseller list, as well as the Founding Director of The Antiracist Research & Policy Center formerly at American University in Washington, DC., and relocated to the Boston University Center for Antiracist Research in early 2020.
June 23, 2020 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE
Your choice of language is always important, particularly if you are an ally and anti-racist. As a perinatal professional, the words you use; written, spoken, in videos and more, can further support racism or work towards dismantling it. Here are five critical changes that you can make to your language that really matter as you do the work necessary to be an anti-racist. I am working hard to make sure my language is respectful and accurate. I continue to learn how to be a better anti-racist every day. It is critical that you do the same.
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