Posts Tagged ‘childbirth education’
Reflection: New course
Posted on: 10/07/2011
I write as I am already halfway through my third and last course prior to submitting my entire diploma.
I have 4 1/2 couples (the remaining half is an ex-pat in the Middle East, and I am sincerely hoping we will have the pleasure of his company next time). All of them seem to be lovely, normal, and game to give everything a try. This is great news for me and for teaching them. They are like sponges, soaking up everything we cover. It has been very rewarding for me.
I wonder, though, is this luck or good teaching? I did do a better job at explaining what’s going on during introductions, as well as explaining how one of the NCT’s prime objectives is informed decision-making and a smooth journey into parenthood. Maybe they took that on board exactly how I hoped they would.
I also feel much happier with the activities I am doing. They are neat and tidy, I feel they work well, and I am better organised than I was last time round (something the assessor mentioned in my last course). Better still, I’m mixing up antenatal and postnatal activities, since it helps to keep a good balance of what’s important. After all, labour is one event, and parenting lasts a lifetime. Mixing up the activities shows that there is a good balance of content throughout the course. I’ve heard people complain about not doing enough postnatal stuff if you mix it in, but I’ve been careful to acknowledge what we’ve covered from the original agenda setting exercise at the beginning of the course, and show the items on the list being crossed off from session to session. It also stops stuff from getting too samey.
Another thing that went down brilliantly was having a decent shared lunch in the middle of the session. I allocated an hour for lunch, and everybody helped out bringing stuff and setting up. We had the branch volunteers come and talk to us at the same time, and everyone was getting on like a house on fire – I was even praised for it on my mid-course evaluation.
It was also really great to see the men getting on so well. After one coffee break, I had to drag them back inside, they were getting so involved in their conversation. Wonderful.
image courtesy of NCT.org.uk
I heard from other teachers that an intensive format (the bulk of this course is being taught over two 6-hour Saturdays) can be difficult for bonding, but it doesn’t seem to be a problem here. Whether it’s down to luck or judgement I’m not sure, but I’m certainly glad things are going so well.
We’ve ranged from easy topics (straightforward labour, practical babycare, safe sleeping) to more challenging ones, and whilst it was clear that subjects such as interventions and caesarean were quite a lot to take in, they still listened, asked questions and kept an open mind right the way through – though they were relieved to go onto some lighter stuff straight after!
I had one negative comment on my evaluation forms, which was that at one point I seemed a little disorganised (my epidural kit had gone missing – I found it shortly afterwards). And no doubt I can be better organised. But, for now, I know that I’m a lot more organised than last time and the time before, and so I’m happy to keep trying to improve for now. Who knows? Maybe my next session will be perfectly organised!
All in all, though, I’m delighted with the way this course is going. I’m really enjoying it, and I also feel like I am making a difference to these people. It’s exhausting teaching for six hours straight, but I do like the format in spite of that.
I hope I am still this positive after next weeks class. The ex-pat is due to return to the UK this week, although it’s unclear whether he will be able to make time for the course… if he does come, it may upset the balance, I’m just not sure yet! But I’m not going to worry about that just yet. It will be what it is, and that will be fine.
Ego blog: Me-time approaching
Posted on: 16/06/2011
I write this on the eve of a work-based trip to Manchester. A colleague is doing the driving; all I have to do is take in the sights – mostly of traffic jams on the M6 – and I get around 40 hours away from small people and loved one.
It’s at times like this that I have to remember who I am without all that other baggage. If I don’t identify myself as a mum, or as a wife, what I have left is music (not what the trip is about) and my training (entirely what the trip is about). I am going to spend two whole days behaving like an adult, or at least, behaving as if I were the most important person that I have to deal with on a regular basis.
Image courtesy of the NCT
If I have music and antenatal teaching to outwardly define me when I’m out on my own, what does that mean? I am using the words as if they were labels. I feel strongly that they are not, but nevertheless they are the two most important things in my life after family.
Since this trip is all about antenatal teaching – a study day and a national forum – perhaps I should try to work out why that in particular is so important to me. Earning money as an antenatal teacher is a bit of a joke; unless you compromise on family life, it’s very difficult to work for more than sixteen hours a month or thereabouts, and it’s quite difficult to manage even that much with the current bookings system. So, it couldn’t possibly be about the money.
Image courtesy of the NCT
What teaching antenatal classes means to me is the opportunity to help people find their way through such a special time in their lives. They come to the first class anxious, scared, knowing very little, and by the time they leave to have their babies, they feel revved up and ready to face the challenges and wonders that make up childbirth and becoming a parent. It’s amazing to be able to give people the tools to help themselves through what can sometimes be a very difficult period, and to see them make friends for life through the classes.
Nevertheless, when I go to these big forums or conferences, I do feel very intimidated. I, a mere student in a sea of qualified teachers, unused to the hustle and bustle, and not entirely sure I belong at times. Particularly on this occasion, when events have caused me to question things in a way I wouldn’t have dreamed of a year ago.
So, I’ll go, and I’ll feel small and insignificant, but at the same time I will revel in doing something that means a lot to me, and that has nothing to do with family.
I say that, of course, but…I would never have been inspired to teach if it hadn’t been for my family. Funny how these things come full circle, isn’t it?
I’m going to teach my third student course in a matter of weeks. I’m adamant that this time I’m going to plan a little more carefully than I managed the other two. I’m the sort of person who only manages to knuckle down to work when she can see the big deadline looming like a giant clock face about to knock her to kingdom come. Which, to be honest, makes for a less than perfect product at the end.
Perhaps I’m focussing too much on the plan itself. I’m great at planning, if it’s big picture stuff. You know, making sure I cover all the topics, and having a vague idea what to do with them. My bigger weakness is taking the vague ideas and turning them into something worthwhile. Practising activities, ensuring all the information is accurate and up-to-date, thinking about questions I might be asked, dusting off equipment and ensuring it’s still in good condition.
I have a recollection of my last course when, seven months pregnant myself, I was at a point where I didn’t want to be there. I was ready to focus inward and prepare myself for the new baby. My activities were shoved into the car at the last minute and not checked beforehand. I did one activity, given to me by a retiring teacher, and only as we were doing it did I realise how out-of-date the items were.
At another point in the same course, I had thoughtlessly mismatched the number of couples to items available. One couple were left hanging. Being a relatively quick thinker in spite of the baby inside turning my brain into mush, I made the most of it, but I doubt I’ll forget the moment where I realised my mistake and my stomach plummeted to the floor.
All in all, I need to go through each activity I plan, and actually get it done so that it’s up to scratch. I can get away with flying by the seat of my pants, and I know other teachers who do this fabulously – after all they’ve had a little more practice – but I’m not comfortable with it just yet. Maybe when I’m teaching more than once a year I’ll be able to do this happily, but I need more experience first.
braindribbles 