Childbirth Educator FAQ's

Why certify with Birth Beautifully?

Birth Beautifully’s training gives you all the tools you need to jumpstart your very own childbirth class. Many other organizations teach you about childbirth and offer suggestions on how to teach, but after the training, you are left to create your own handouts, curriculum and design a presentation. Birth Beautifully gives you all of that.

Birth Beautifully does not require you to pay an annual membership fee, or certification fee. It does not require you to recertify either. Once you are certified, you are certified for life.

Will I be behind in class if I am not already a birth worker, such as a doula or lactation educator?

No, as long as you have a good understanding of childbirth and have a passion for this field of work, you will be fine. You will need to read your Birth Beautifully Childbirth Education workbook prior to your training, but it would also be very beneficial to read the required reading ahead of time, especially if you are not currently a birth worker.

Most likely, it will be everyone’s first time learning how to be a teacher. Being comfortable speaking in front of people is a skill that may take some time to develop. The training will assist you with this.

Will I be certified after my training?

No. You will need to complete all the required steps outlined in the “Certification Requirements” section before you are considered a Birth Beautifully Childbirth Educator. You have 3 years to fulfill these requirements. An extension can be purchased if necessary.

Do I need to be certified?

Birth Beautifully has made the certification very obtainable for a reason: we want to see you become a successful certified childbirth educator! Birth Beautifully takes pride in it’s’ trainers. Once you are certified, your business information is placed on our provider listing section of the website.

You also have the comradery of other fellow certified Birth Beautifully Childbirth Educators on our private Facebook group, where you gain information and ideas for your classes.

Birth Beautifully gives you one year included after your training before it is exclusively for certified educators only. This is to help you get started with your business.

Birth Beautifully hopes to include future continuing education classes and conferences for our certified educators as well.

How do I go about observing a childbirth education class?

Contact your local hospitals, birth centers, or birth workers in your area. Letting them know that you need to observe a childbirth class for your educator training.

Will I need to pay to observe the class?

Most likely no. Most childbirth classes will allow you to observe for your training for free.

What if there is no breastfeeding or newborn class in my area to observe?

If you cannot find those classes in your area, please contact Birth Beautifully for a substitution.

How do I go about observing two births?

Ask the couples in the childbirth class you are observing if they would mind you attend their birth. Or perhaps you have family or friends who are expecting. Also consider contacting local birth workers. You may volunteer to photograph for them or assist with other siblings.

Can I use my own births as my two required births?

Unfortunately, no. Experiencing it yourself is much different than observing a birth. Noticing how the laboring mother acts and how the care provider and hospital treat the laboring mom can be completely different than what you experienced yourself or how you felt personally.

Why do I need to use Birth Beautifully workbooks in my classes?

Birth Beautifully has composed a workbook that matches the curriculum and presentation. The book is also evidence based. Birth Beautifully strives to inform expecting parents with evidence based research and knowing that Birth Beautifully Childbirth Educators are supplying their families with proper handouts, ensures this.

The workbook will continue to remain up to date as well. Periodically, Birth Beautifully will also send electronic coupons to it’s’ educators for discounts on the books.

Can I add/change anything to the curriculum or presentation?

Absolutely! This is your class. Birth Beautifully just wants to start new educators on the right foot. We want you to have an easy transition into your new role as an educator. We just ask that you keep the information evidence based vs. opinion based.

The private Facebook page and the short required essay for certification, will offer guidance to developing new or different approaches to your class.

You may already be in a field related to pregnancy/childbirth/postpartum, such as: a massage therapist, aromatherapy specialist, postpartum doula, etc. Adding a section of your field of work into your class may assist you to grow that portion of your business.

What if I do not get certified in the three year period?

Birth Beautifully understands that everyone’s life is different. If you need more time to meet the certification requirements, you may purchase an extension through Birth Beautifully.

What if I cannot afford the training?

Birth Beautifully is looking into developing a scholarship program for aspiring educators, however at the moment; this program is not yet in place.

How much can I earn as a childbirth educator?

Price of your classes varies depending on your location. Find out what the going rate is in your local area. If you set your price too high, you may not have anyone register for you class, however this is also your business and you want to be successful, so don’t sell yourself short either! Remember this is a new business. Do not get discouraged if it takes a while for your business to be thriving. Like any new business, it may take some time.

Using the feedback from other educators on the private Facebook page may help you with marketing ideas.

Is there an accelerated certification track for doulas, midwives or nurses?

Chances are you have already read the recommended reading, observed a childbirth, newborn and breastfeeding class and attended your two births. You will not need to repeat those; however you will still need to fill out the appropriate forms and submit them with your certification packet. The cost of the training remains the same.